Wm. Andrew "Andy" Messer

Thomas Whelan’s practice encompasses a broad range of leasing, financing, and other real estate transactions, as well as commercial litigation emphasizing landlord-tenant, lender liability, brokerage, and other real-estate-related matters. He has authored numerous articles and is frequently invited to speak on matters including leasing, receiverships, real estate brokerage and other real estate related topics. Before receiving his law degree from Southern Methodist University, Mr. Whela...

Carol Willis Butrus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Carol Willis, who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carol Willis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shane O’Dell focuses his practice on driving value for his clients. Whether defending his clients, pursuing legal remedies, or evaluating to determine if litigation is necessary or avoidable, Shane’s focus remains on his clients best interest. A business-minded and enterprising approach helps to create long-term sustainable client relationships which are critical in sustained success for his clients. From drafting, reviewing, or revising documents to avoid litigation, or revising ...

John Podvin Jr. is a partner in the firm with more than 25 years of regulatory agency, law firm, and corporate experience. He is based in Dallas, Texas, where he works nationally with the firm’s clients. His practice areas include banking and financial services, litigation, corporate governance, finance, financial crisis advisory and litigation, financial regulatory, government relations strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. As outside counsel, Mr. Podvin works closely with the firm&r...

Kurt maintains a robust national trial practice defending high-exposure product liability cases in Texas and beyond. He routinely works with international and U.S. in-house decision makers, corporate representatives, and engineers to develop comprehensive litigation and case management approaches that result in the most favorable outcome possible for his clients.

Steve Fink focuses his practice on the representation of management in all aspects of employment and labor law matters, including advice and counseling, training, drafting, and investigations. He has an active trial and appellate practice involving labor and employment matters, as well as fair housing, civil rights, and constitutional law issues. Steve also represents clients in state and federal administrative agency adjudicatory proceedings and in lawsuits related to those proceedings. Acco...

Kenneth C. Riney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Kenneth C., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With over 28 years of experience in franchising and franchise laws in Texas and throughout the U.S, franchise attorney Kat Tidd focuses on providing practical, comprehensive, and personalized legal advice and solutions to her clients for their specific goals. She works with clients to understand not only the dynamics of the franchise business but also the interpersonal relationships that can drive the business. Kat has worked in and with the franchise industry for more than 30 years, includin...

Working in the Commercial Real Estate section, Susan focuses her practice on the purchase, development, financing, and leasing of commercial real estate projects, with a concentration on retail, mixed-use, industrial, and office developments. Susan represents commercial landlords of both established and new shopping centers and office buildings, as well as retail, office, and industrial tenants, in the negotiation and amendment of leases and various property management issues. She also repres...

Joe Coleman, a founding director of the Firm, chairs the Insolvency, Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Section, which focuses on corporate and business reorganization and debt restructuring work throughout the nation. He has substantial experience representing unsecured creditors’ committees, lenders, debtors, equity holders, suppliers, trade associations, financial institutions, real estate companies, trustees and examiners in a wide array of pre-bankruptcy workouts and restructurings, ...