William "Wil" Thorne

Thomas C. Baird is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law and Trusts and Estates. Thomas C., who practices law in Temple, Texas, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mrs. Stanton is a partner of Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP. Mrs. Stanton specializes in probate and estate planning law and she is board certified in these practice areas. Her practice includes the representation of individuals with respect to their estate planning needs and the representation of fiduciaries and beneficiaries with regard to the administration of trusts and estates. She advises with regard to testamentary and lifetime gift and generation–skipping pla...

Jason S. McManis is a partner at AZA and the head of AZA’s intellectual property group. He is a skilled trial lawyer with extensive experience in front of the jury in courtrooms across the United States. IAM Patent 1000 ranks Mr. McManis as a leading patent litigator and highlights that he “is often brought in to take over cases from previous counsel” while commending his ability to “adapt to changing circumstances with alacrity.” Mr. McManis represents both plai...

Wanda Fowler was a Justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals for almost 14 years before joining Wright Close & Barger, LLP as a partner. While on the Court she authored approximately 1900 opinions and decided approximately 3,800 more cases. In 2001, the other members of the Court elected her Acting Chief Justice for five months pending an appointment of a new chief justice and, in 2003, the Houston Chapter of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists voted her Appell...

Victor’s experience ranges from patent litigation, unfair competition, contract disputes, fraud and tortious interference cases, to trade secret and non-compete litigation, real estate disputes, products liability and consumer fraud matters. He has resolved claims involving high net worth family and probate litigation, fiduciary litigation, qui tam cases and partnership and other business-entity litigation. In addition, he has defended clients accused of white collar crimes, such as wir...

Recognizing that divorce is a difficult time and often involves the division of an estate, Thomas Goranson applies a keen understanding to marital assets and how they can be valued and divided to achieve maximum benefit to the client. Befitting the founder of the firm, Tom also brings a certain stature to his cases that supports the client’s goals in the proceedings. With an eye toward preserving assets rather than destroying them, Tom offers clients a thorough analysis and creative but...

Nathan Vassar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Water Law. Nathan, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Mitchell is an experienced trial lawyer with a diverse litigation practice. He focuses primarily on representing companies in the energy sector in commercial litigation, arbitration, corporate investigations, and similar matters, but has also handled a wide range of contested matters. For two decades prior to joining Hicks Thomas, Mr. Mitchell was a partner at Baker Botts LLP and Andrews Kurth LLP, two of the oldest and most respected law firms in Texas, and he brings that big-firm exper...

Kenton McDonald concentrates on solving federal tax planning problems that arise in business transactions, and on advising clients in matters involving their interaction with the Internal Revenue Service, including their tax return reporting positions, in audits and in appeals proceedings. EDUCATION Board Certified, Tax Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, since 1983 B.A. Southern Methodist University, 1974 — With Highest Honors J.D. Southern Methodist University, 1977 — Boar...

Charles M. Persons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Charles M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.