Best Lawyers in Texas, United States for Appellate Practice
Stephen Barrick began his career more than 20 years ago as a law clerk in Houston, Texas, where he worked at the federal district court. He later joined international firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he practiced trial and appellate law. Since 2008, Mr. Barrick has made his home at Hick Thomas LLP, where he focuses on business litigation and appeals. Mr. Barrick is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has earned selection to Texas...
Paul M. Leopold is a double Board Certified attorney in Family Law and Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He focuses on family law appeals, helping clients across Texas protect their rights in difficult legal situations—like divorce, custody battles, child support issues, or international child abduction cases. With years of experience arguing in both state and federal courts, Paul has a proven track record of handling complex family law appeals. He works cl...
Clients embroiled in bet-the-company appeals and high-stakes litigation call on Dana for the type of broad and deep experience that a savvy, experienced, and skilled appellate lawyer can bring. A board-certified appellate specialist, Dana is recognized as one of the premier appellate practitioners in the state, with particular expertise before the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Texas. A former Law Clerk for the Fifth Circuit and a former Staff Attorney at the Supreme Court of Texas, D...
“ The Best Lawyers in Dallas ” – Since 2005, Chad Ruback has consistently been named one of “The Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. This is true of only four other appellate lawyers. “ The Best Lawyers in America ” – Chad is included in the “Appellate Practice” section of The Best Lawyers in America. “ Texas Super Lawyers ” – Chad is included in the Thomson Reuters “Texas Super Lawyers” list, which i...
Jack O'Neill has been trying large complex cases for over 45 years. His experience in the courtroom involves many cases that have been widely publicized. Mr. O’Neill was co-trial counsel for UPR, Inc. in its attempted takeover of Pennzoil. He was lead counsel for Mitchell Energy Corporation in the company’s effort to overturn a $204 million judgment rendered against the company in a case tried for the company by another law firm. On appeal, argued by Mr. O’Neill, the case wa...
Elana S. Einhorn is a board-certified civil appellate lawyer with extensive experience working with judges in chambers and in using her deep understanding of Texas appellate courts on behalf of her clients. She knows what judges look for, the kinds of arguments they find most persuasive, and how to organize and frame legal issues for maximum impact. Elana has taught appellate advocacy to students at the University of Texas School of Law and appellate opinion writing to new Texas judges. With ...
Melissa Lorber is a board-certified appellate lawyer who represents businesses in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels, in state and federal courts. She regularly represents clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Courts of Appeals, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a former newspaper journalist, Melissa employs her writing, research, and investigation skills in advocating for her business clients' interests.
Amy M. Pepke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Amy M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amy M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kent has served as a justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, a judge for the 80th District Court in Harris County, Texas, and as First Assistant Attorney General, the second-highest-ranking official of the Texas Office of the Attorney General. In 2017, he was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve as the Texas Commissioner of Insurance, the state’s top insurance regulatory position, responsible for the policies, operations, and enforcement activities of the Texas Department of Insura...
Bryan Neal focuses his practice on labor and employment law, civil appellate law, school law, and civil rights matters. He represents management in labor and employment law matters in all aspects of administrative, trial, and appellate work, as well as counseling, with specific expertise in employment appeals. Bryan also handles civil appellate matters in all areas and represents public and private schools and governmental entities in various matters. He is Board Certified in both Labor and E...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.