Accepts Credit Cards

(Main Office)

Porter & Hedges is a Houston-based law firm founded in 1981. We are one of the ten largest Houston-based firms and one of the 25 largest Texas-based firms.

What sets us apart from our national and regional law firm competitors? Clients tell us that it is our attentive, efficient service delivered by partner-led teams of lawyers with a depth and breadth of experience and skill typically found only at much larger firms.

In May 2008, Porter & Hedges corporate practice was named by the American Lawyer Corporate Scorecard as one of the "Top 25" law firms in the country for underwriter's counsel for 2007. The firm's construction, banking and finance and bankruptcy/restructuring practice sections were recognized by Chambers USA in 2008. Seventy percent of our partners were selected as "Texas Super Lawyers" in the 2004 through 2008 surveys conducted by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazine. Additionally, 18 attorneys were named "Rising Stars" in 2008 by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazine, and 18 of our partners have made the 2009 Best Lawyers in America list. Many of our associates and partners serve on numerous local and state bar association sections.

Our make-it-happen approach to legal matters is based on a thorough understanding of each client's business, responsiveness to each client's needs, and the identification of practical and cost-effective solutions to problems as they arise. This is the essence of the Porter & Hedges commitment—to produce for each client the optimal result as efficiently as possible.

We understand that our clients expect and deserve personal attention and prompt response from their lawyers.

Because of our lawyers' extensive knowledge and experience in many industries, our clients often turn to us not only to address their immediate legal needs but also to help develop long term strategies for success.

Statement of Practice

Corporate and Securities including Public Offerings, Private Placements, Mergers, Acquisitions, Reorganizations and General Corporate. Energy, Natural Resources and Energy Finance. General Litigation including Antitrust, Commercial, Construction, Employment, Insurance Bad Faith, Intellectual Property, Securities and White Collar Criminal Defense. Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights, Banking, Environmental, International, Real Estate, Employees Benefits, Estate Planning, Trust and Probate and Taxation.

Firm Affiliations

TERRALEX

Rate Information

Accepts Major Credit Cards

• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express

Address

1000 Main Street, 36th Floor
Houston, TX 77002, (Ft. Bend, Harris & Montgomery Cos.)

Phone

Phone: 713-226-6000
Fax: 713-228-1331

Website

http://www.porterhedges.com

PARTNERS OF FIRM

Neil Kenton ("Ken") Alexander (Partner) born Fort Worth, Texas, March 9, 1953; admitted to bar, 1978, Texas, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1989, U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Rice University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1975); Harvard University (J.D., 1978). Member: Houston Bar Association (Chair, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Section, 1993-1994). Practice Areas: Litigation; Antitrust.Email: Neil Kenton ("Ken") Alexander

Samuel N. Allen (Partner) born Fayetteville, North Carolina, April 12, 1955; admitted to bar, 1984, New York; 1992, Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Education: University of Mississippi (B.A., 1978); Washington & Lee University (J.D., 1982). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Securities/Corporate Finance Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Houston Law Center, 1991-1994. Member: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York; Texas Business Law Foundation. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: Samuel N. Allen

Craig M. Bergez (Partner) born Berkeley, California, July 7, 1963; admitted to bar, 1990, California; 1991, District of Columbia; 1994, Texas. Education: University of California, Berkeley (B.A., 1986); University of California, Hastings College of the Law (J.D., 1989); New York University (LL.M., Taxation, 1990). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Tax Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. Named a "Texas Rising Star" in a Texas Monthly survey. Adjunct Professor, Business Planning and Partnership Taxation, University of Houston Law Center. Practice Areas: Taxation; Corporate Law; Nonprofit Organizations Law.Email: Craig M. Bergez

John O. Brentin (Head, Wealth Preservation Practice Department) born Youngstown, Ohio, March 21, 1953; admitted to bar, 1978, Texas. Education: Ohio State University (B.A., cum laude, 1974); University of Houston (J.D., 1978). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Estate Planning/Trusts, 2005 Texas Monthly survey. (Board Certified, Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Estate Planning; Tax Planning; Wills; Trust Law; Charitable Trusts and Foundations; Estate Administration; Trust Administration; Business Law; Family Limited Partnerships; Shareholder Agreements.Email: John O. Brentin

Bryan K. Brown (Partner) born Houston, Texas, January 31, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, Texas. Education: Sam Houston State University (B.B.A., 1989); A.B. Freeman School of Business (M.B.A., Finance and Tax, 1993); Tulane University (J.D., 1993). Named a "Texas Super Lawyer" and "Texas Rising Star," Texas Monthly, 2004. Corporate and Finance Counsel, McDermott International, Inc., 1993-1995. [Captain, Military Justice Officer, U.S. Army Reserve]. Special Agencies: U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities; Mergers and Acquisitions.Email: Bryan K. Brown

David L. Burgert (Practice Group Leader, Litigation Section) born Kansas City, Kansas, January 30, 1959; admitted to bar, 1983, Texas; 1984, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1996, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit; 1997, U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit; 1999, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas; 2002, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas; 2006, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas. Education: Ohio University (B.S., Economics and English, summa cum laude, 1980); University of Michigan (J.D., 1983). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Intellectual Property Litigation, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Named one of "Houston's Top Lawyers" in Commercial Litigation, H Texas Magazine, July, 2005 issue. (Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Securities Fraud; Patent and Trademark Litigation; Intellectual Property Litigation.Email: David L. Burgert

Joseph D. Cohen (Partner) born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1966; admitted to bar, 1991, Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Education: Northwestern University (B.A., 1988); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1991). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. Member: Houston Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Defense Research Institute; Texas Association of Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Joseph D. Cohen

E. James Cowen (Partner) born Kingston, Jamaica, May 9, 1968; admitted to bar, 1998, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.S., 1990); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1997). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Judicial Intern to the Honorable Karen K. Brown, Justice, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: E. James Cowen

George S. Craft (Partner) born New York, New York, May 2, 1947; admitted to bar, 1973, Texas. Education: Texas Christian University (B.B.A., 1970); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1973). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2004 and 2005 editions. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Real Estate Law, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Texas Association of Bank Counsel. (Board Certified, Commercial Real Estate Law and Residential Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Real Estate; Real Estate Finance; Financial Services.Email: George S. Craft

Ephraim del Pozo (Partner) born San Antonio, Texas, January 7, 1959; admitted to bar, 1997, Texas. Education: University of Houston at Clear Lake (B.S., summa cum laude, 1993); South Texas College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1997). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Practice Areas: Energy Law; Energy Finance; Natural Resources Law; Mineral Law; Oil and Gas Transactions; Commercial Lending Transactions.Email: Ephraim del Pozo

Jeffrey R. Elkin (Partner) born Richmond, Virginia, May 12, 1961; admitted to bar, 1987, Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1983); University of Florida College of Law (J.D., 1986). Member, Arbitration Panels: American Arbitration Association; National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Complex Commercial Litigation; Federal and State Securities Litigation and Arbitration; Business Torts Litigation.Email: Jeffrey R. Elkin

Christopher A. Ferazzi (Partner) born Battle Creek, Michigan, March 23, 1961; admitted to bar, 1989, Texas. Education: Central Michigan University (B.S., 1983); University of Houston; South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1989); Southern Methodist University (LL.M., Taxation, 1993). Certified Public Accountant, Texas, 1990 (inactive). Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: Christopher A. Ferazzi

Daniel Flatten (Partner) born San Antonio, Texas; admitted to bar, 1966, Texas; 1970, Oklahoma, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., with honors, 1964; LL.B., 1966). Listed in: The Best Lawyers in America; Who's Who in American Law. President, Jefferson County Bar Association, 1981-1982. Member: Bar Association of the Eastern District of Texas; Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit; Oklahoma Bar Association; Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (President, 1986-1987); Texas Board of Legal Specialization (Fellow, 1988-1992; Chair, 1991-1992); Texas Association of Defense Counsel; American College of Trial Lawyers (Fellow); American Board of Trial Advocates (Advocate); Texas Bar Foundation (Sustaining Life Fellow). [Capt., J.A., U.S. Air Force, 1966-1970]. (Board Certified, Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Daniel Flatten

Elizabeth Liz Freeman (Partner) born Las Cruces, New Mexico, July 22, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, Texas; 2000, U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Education: University of Missouri (B.A., Political Science, 1994); Baylor University School of Law (J.D., 1997). Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy.Email: Elizabeth Liz Freeman

Joel A. Goldberg (Partner) born Johannesburg, South Africa, November 7, 1967; admitted to bar, 1994, California; 1995, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., with honors, 1991); University of San Francisco (J.D., cum laude, 1994). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. General Counsel, Energy Developments, Inc., 2000-2004. Member: Houston Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Houston Young Lawyers Association. Languages: Hebrew and Afrikaans. Practice Areas: Property Law; Real Estate; Finance.Email: Joel A. Goldberg

Ashley M. Hanna (Partner) born Houston, Texas, June 4, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., with honors, 1997); Harvard Law School (J.D., 2000). Named a "Texas Rising Star," 2006 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Member: Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Corporate Law.Email: Ashley M. Hanna

Lauren Beck Harris (Partner) born Dallas, Texas, 1965; admitted to bar, 1991, Texas, U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: University of Texas (B.A., 1987); Baylor University (J.D., 1990). (Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization).Email: Lauren Beck Harris

John R. Hawkins (Partner) born Kosciusko, Mississippi, January 16, 1955; admitted to bar, 1992, Texas; 1991, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Federal Circuits; U.S. District Court, Southern, Northern and Western Districts of Texas; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado. Education: Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Architecture, 1978); University of Houston (J.D., cum laude, 1991). Law Intern to The Honorable John R. Brown, Circuit Judge, Fifth Circuit. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; American Institute of Architects; Texas Society of Architects. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Construction Law.Email: John R. Hawkins

Daniel K. Hedges (Partner) born Houston, Texas, September 18, 1946; admitted to bar, 1974, Texas. Education: Dartmouth College (B.A., summa cum laude, with highest distinction, 1968); University of Texas at Austin (J.D., 1974). Named one of six "Impact Players" of the Year, Texas Lawyer, 2001. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Business Litigation Section, 2001—. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Business Litigation, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the City of Houston, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Selected as the Most Outstanding Young Lawyer in Texas, 1982-1983. U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas, 1981-1985. Co-Founder (with Dan Webb and Rudolph Giuliani), Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Chairman of Senators Cornyn and Hutchison's Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (screens potential federal judges and U.S. Attorneys), 2001—. Member: Houston Bar Foundation; Texas Bar Foundation. [U.S. Navy, 1968-1971]. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense; Bad Faith Litigation; Defense of Bank Officers and Directors.Email: Daniel K. Hedges

Ragna O. Henrichs (Partner) born Upland, California, August 31, 1944; admitted to bar, 1970, California; 1972, South Carolina; 1974, New York; 1991, Texas; U.S Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, Western and Northern Districts of New York and District of Colorado; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Education: University of California at Los Angeles (B.A., 1966; J.D., 1969). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Section, 1996—. Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Resources Law, Corporate Counsel, September, 2005 issue. Named a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Environmental Law, Texas Monthly, 2003, 2004 and 2005. Formerly with Law Department, CIBA-Geigy Limited, Basel, Switzerland (now Novartis), 1970-1971. Member: Houston, New York State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Water Environment Federation. Practice Areas: Environmental Law.Email: Ragna O. Henrichs

John F. Higgins, IV (Partner) born Lake Charles, Louisiana, October 23, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. Education: Louisiana State University (B.S., 1980); University of Houston (J.D., 1983). Certified Mediator (Attorney-Mediator Institute), 1996. Listed as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law, 2004—. Listed as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Bankruptcy Law, Texas Monthly's annual surveys, 2003—. Listed as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the City of Houston, 2005 Texas Monthly survey. Named one of "Houston's Top Lawyers for the People," H Texas Magazine, January, 2006. Adjunct Professor, Bankruptcy Law, University of Houston Law Center. Vice President, Board of Directors, Turnaround Management Association, Houston Chapter. (Board Certified, Business Bankruptcy Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the American Bankruptcy Board of Certification). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Bankruptcy; Creditors Rights.Email: John F. Higgins, IV

Cynthia A. Holub (Partner) born Victoria, Texas, November 8, 1969; admitted to bar, 1996, Texas, U.S. District Court Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., cum laude, 1992); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., cum laude, 1996). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. Participant in the two-week trial program sponsored by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), Boulder, Colorado, 2003. Member: Texas Young Lawyers Association; Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Construction; Insurance Coverage.Email: Cynthia A. Holub

John A. Irvine (Partner) born Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, August 10, 1947; admitted to bar, 1972, Tennessee; 1982, Ohio; 1985, Texas; U.S. Tax Court; U.S. District Court, Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas; U.S. District Court, Western and Middle Districts of Tennessee; U.S. Court of Appeals, Third, Fifth, Sixth and Ninth Circuits; U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1969); Memphis State University (J.D., 1972). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Business Litigation by Texas Monthly surveys, 2003—. Listed in: Who's Who in the World; Who's Who in America; Who's Who in American Law; Who's Who in the Southwest. Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge Harry W. Wellford. Assistant General Counsel-Litigation, The Mead Corporation, 1981-1984. Sustaining Life Fellow: Texas Bar Foundation; Houston Bar Foundation. Member: Tennessee and Ohio State Bar Associations; International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute; College of the State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Securities Litigation; Intellectual Properties Litigation; Antitrust; Insurance Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense.Email: John A. Irvine

David R. Jones (Partner) born High Point, North Carolina, September 15, 1961; admitted to bar, 1993, Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas; U.S. District Court, District of Colorado; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court. Education: Duke University (B.S.E.E., 1983) Southern Methodist University (M.B.A., 1986); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1992). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Bankruptcy Law, 2005 Texas Monthly survey. Selected as one of "Houston's Top Lawyers," 2005 H Texas Magazine survey. Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy Law; Business Reorganization; Governmental Reorganization; Commercial Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense; Complex Business Litigation.Email: David R. Jones

Neal M. Kaminsky (Partner) born Houston, Texas, November 30, 1968; admitted to bar, 1995, Texas and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1991); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1994). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Banking & Financial Law, 2004 Texas Monthly survey. Named a "Texas Rising Star" in a Texas Monthly survey. Member: Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Financial Services; Corporate Finance; Corporate.Email: Neal M. Kaminsky

Curtis Randall King (Partner) born Nacogdoches, Texas, November 15, 1950; admitted to bar, 1992, Texas. Education: Stephen F. Austin State University (B.S., cum laude, 1972); South Texas College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1991). Certified Professional Landman, 1984. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Energy/Oil & Gas Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: Houston Bar Association. Practice Areas: Banks and Banking; Business Law; Cogeneration; Corporate Law; Electric Power; Energy; Finance; Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestitures; Mineral Law; Natural Gas; Oil and Gas Law; Oil and Gas Litigation; Partnership Law; Petroleum Law.Email: Curtis Randall King

Stephen H. Lee (Partner) born Houston, Texas, August 29, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, Texas. Education: Baylor University (B.B.A., 1991); South Texas College of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 1994). Order of the Lytae. Articles Editor, South Texas Law Review, 1993-1994. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Securities; Insurance; Litigation.Email: Stephen H. Lee

Kerry M. McMahon (Partner) born Houston, Texas, June 25, 1970; admitted to bar, 1996, Texas. Education: Baylor University (B.A., 1992); Texas Tech University (J.D., 1996). Member: Houston Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Litigation and Bankruptcy); State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Litigation; Creditors Rights; Commercial Law.Email: Kerry M. McMahon

John T. Nesser IV (Partner) born New Orleans, Louisiana, September 12, 1974; admitted to bar, 1999, Louisiana; 2006, Texas. Education: Southern Methodist University (B.B.A., 1996); Louisiana State University (J.D., 1999). Member: Louisiana State Bar Association; Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Admiralty and Maritime Law; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Coverage.Email: John T. Nesser IV

Denise L. Nestel (Partner) born Bluffton, Indiana, January 20, 1955; admitted to bar, 1991, Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: DePauw University (B.A., 1977); University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.A., 1980); University of Houston (J.D., 1991). Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; Texas Bar Foundation; The Garland Walker Inns of Court; College of the State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Construction Law; Commercial Litigation.Email: Denise L. Nestel

Eugene M. Nettles (Partner) born Houston, Texas, October 21, 1949; admitted to bar, 1974, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., 1971); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1974). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Energy/Oil & Gas Law, Texas Monthly surveys, 2003—. Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy, University of Houston Law School, 1989-1993. Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney's Office, 1975-1980. (Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Oil and Gas Litigation; Personal Injury Law; Employment Litigation; Medical Malpractice.Email: Eugene M. Nettles

Nick D. Nicholas (Partner) born Sonora, Texas, May 8, 1952; admitted to bar, 1977, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., 1975); University of Houston (J.D., 1977). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Securities/Corporate Finance Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: Nick D. Nicholas

David D. Peden, Jr. (Partner) born Houston, Texas, June 12, 1949; admitted to bar, 1974, Texas; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., 1971; J.D., 1974). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2004—. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Construction Litigation, 2003-2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation. Member: Houston, Federal and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas (Vice Chair, Construction Law Section, 2005-2006); Association of General Contractors; College of the State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Construction and Surety Litigation; Arbitration; Construction Transaction Documentation; Insurance Law.Email: David D. Peden, Jr.

T. William Porter (Chairman of the Firm; Senior Partner, Corporate and Securities Law Section) born Dallas, Texas, August 23, 1941; admitted to bar, 1966, Texas. Education: Texas A&M University; Southern Methodist University (B.B.A., 1963); Duke University (LL.B., 1966). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate Section, 1983—. Named one of the Top Five Securities Lawyers in the State of Texas, Texas Lawyer (October 2002). Named a "Top 100 Texas Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly (2003, 2004 and 2005). Listed in Who's Who in American Law, 1985—, Who's Who in the World and Who's Who in America. Member: State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association. Texas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: T. William Porter

John M. Ransom (Partner) born Athens, Georgia, August 12, 1955; admitted to bar, 1983, Texas; 1990, U.S. Tax Court. Education: Rice University (B.A., 1976); University of Houston (J.D., 1982). Licensed Private Pilot (Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law, 2004—. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Tax Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants; American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Practice Areas: Taxation; Mergers and Acquisitions; Aviation.Email: John M. Ransom

Robert G. Reedy (Partner) born San Antonio, Texas, October 12, 1953; admitted to bar, 1978, Texas; 1979, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.A., with highest honors, 1975); University of Texas at Austin (J.D., with honors, 1978). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Securities/Corporate Finance Law, Texas Monthly attorney surveys, 2003—. Member: State Bar of Texas; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: Robert G. Reedy

James W. Ryan (Partner) born Freeport, Texas, August 21, 1945; admitted to bar, 1970, Texas. Education: Baylor University (B.B.A., 1967; J.D., 1969). Profiled in the article, "Who's Who in Houston Law?," Houston Business Journal, February, 1991. Profiled in "Who's Who in Houston Business?," Law Industry Section, Houston Business Journal, February, 1992. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Business Law; Corporate Finance; Securities; Corporate Law; Partnership Law; Mergers and Acquisitions; Venture Capital.Email: James W. Ryan

Nicholas A. Simms (Partner) born Havana, Illinois, July 20, 1968; admitted to bar, 1995, Texas and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Nevada (B.B.A., 1992); Baylor University (J.D., 1995). Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Construction Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Bankruptcy; Labor and Employment Litigation.Email: Nicholas A. Simms

Allison J. Snyder (Partner) born Austin, Texas, October 23, 1954; admitted to bar, 1979, Texas; 1985, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1975); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1979). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in Construction Law, 2006 edition. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Construction Surety Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Construction Litigation; Construction Mediation; Construction Arbitration; Surety Law; Employment Litigation; Business Litigation; Business Arbitration; Business Mediation; Fraud; Breach of Contract; Noncompetition and Non-Solicitation Agreements.Email: Allison J. Snyder

Joyce Kao Soliman (Partner) born Metairie, Louisiana, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Texas. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1994; J.D., 1997). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas (Member, Asian Pacific Islander Interest Section); Asian American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Corporate Finance; Corporate Law; Financial Services; Mergers and Acquisitions.Email: Joyce Kao Soliman

Nick H. Sorensen (Partner) born Kanab, Utah, January 8, 1957; admitted to bar, 1987, Texas. Education: Brigham Young University (B.S. with honors, 1984; J.D., cum laude, 1987). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Banking Law, Texas Monthly attorney survey, 2003—. Judicial Clerk to The Honorable Roger D. Foley, U.S. District Court, District of Nevada. Practice Areas: Financial Services; Corporate Finance; Commercial Finance; Real Estate Finance; Corporate; Structured Finance.Email: Nick H. Sorensen

Clay Martindale Steely (Partner) born Houston, Texas, June 16, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Texas and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., Speech Communication, 1991); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1994). Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury; Energy; Securities; Franchise Law; General Liability.Email: Clay Martindale Steely

Robert H. Thomas (Head, Energy Section) born Houston, Texas, December 26, 1948; admitted to bar, 1974, Texas and Louisiana. Education: Tulane University (B.A., cum laude, 1971; J.D., 1974). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law, 2005—. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Energy/Oil & Gas Law, 2003-2005 Texas Monthly surveys. In-House Counsel, Gulf Oil Corporation, Midland, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana, 1974-1979. Division Attorney, Mesa Petroleum Co., Houston, Texas, 1979-1984. Member: Houston, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Energy Law; Natural Resources; Mineral Law; Oil and Gas Transactions; Oil and Gas Disputes.Email: Robert H. Thomas

W. David Tidholm (Partner) born Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, May 12, 1953; admitted to bar, 1978, Oklahoma; 1981, Texas. Education: University of Oklahoma (B.A., 1975); Southern Methodist University (J.D., 1978). Member: Oklahoma Bar Association. Practice Areas: Financial Services Law.Email: W. David Tidholm

Ray Thomas Torgerson (Partner) born Corpus Christi, Texas, September 23, 1971; admitted to bar, 1997, Texas; 1998, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1994); University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1997). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2004-2006 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: Federal Bar Association; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; American Indian Law.Email: Ray Thomas Torgerson

James Matthew ("Matt") Vaughn (Partner) born Texarkana, Texas, June 16, 1972; admitted to bar, 1998, Florida; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 2000, Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas; 2001, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Texas A & M University (B.A., 1995); University of Miami (J.D., cum laude, 1998). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2004-2006 Texas Monthly surveys. Judicial Intern to the Honorable A. Jay Cristol and Robert A. Mark, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida and to the Honorable Charles F. Baird, formerly of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Participant in a one-week trial program sponsored by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), San Diego, California, 2002. Member: American Bar Association; American Bankruptcy Institute. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; Financial Restructuring; Commercial Litigation.Email: James Matthew ("Matt") Vaughn

Joanne Meyer Vorpahl (Partner) born Austin, Texas, September 8, 1951; admitted to bar, 1982, Texas; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas; 1983, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Texas Lutheran University (B.A., 1973); University of Houston (J.D., cum laude, 1982). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Employment Litigation, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: Houston Bar Association (Member, Labor and Employment Section); Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. Texas Bar Foundation. Practice Areas: Employment Litigation; Commercial Litigation.Email: Joanne Meyer Vorpahl

Eric D. Wade (Partner) born Houston, Texas, April 10, 1970; admitted to bar, 1995, Texas; U.S. District Court, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas; 2002, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Federal Circuits. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1992); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1995). Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Business Litigation, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Named as a "Texas Rising Star" in a Texas Monthly survey. Judicial Clerk to the Norman W. Black, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation.Email: Eric D. Wade

Bradley M. Whalen (Partner) born Carbondale, Illinois, December 31, 1962; admitted to bar, 1988, Texas, U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Texas A & M University (B.A., 1985); University of Texas at Houston (J.D., with honors, 1988). Phi Delta Phi. Chairman, Board of Trustees, The Regis School of the Sacred Heart. Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; Houston Young Lawyers Association; College of the State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Banking Regulation; Building Codes; Construction Law; Contract Litigation; Defamation, Libel and Slander; Due Process; Employee Theft, Embezzlement and Misconduct; Fiduciary Duties; Insurance; Intellectual Property; Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Equipment; Oil and Gas Interests; Products Liability; Real Property Leases; Securities Sales Practices and Regulation; Sexual Harassment; Trade Secrets; Trucking Law; Water Rights.Email: Bradley M. Whalen

William W. Wiggins, Jr. (Partner) born Rocky Mount, North Carolina, September 25, 1946; admitted to bar, 1972, Texas. Education: University of North Carolina (A.B., 1968); University of Houston (J.D., cum laude, 1972). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Corporate, M&A, and Securities Law, 2004—. Listed as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Practice Areas: Corporate; Financial Services.Email: William W. Wiggins, Jr.

Jack G. Wise (Partner) born Austin, Texas, August 17, 1948; admitted to bar, 1973, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., 1970; J.D., 1973). Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Section, 2001—. Selected as a "Texas Super Lawyer" in Real Estate Law, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. Selected as one of the "Top 100 Lawyers" in Houston, 2004 and 2005 Texas Monthly surveys. Member: American College of Real Estate Lawyers; College of the State Bar of Texas. (Board Certified, Commercial Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization). Practice Areas: Real Estate; Real Estate Finance; Joint Ventures; Partnerships; Commercial Leasing; Mortgages.Email: Jack G. Wise

Richard ("Dick") L. Wynne (Head, Corporate Practice Group) born Houston, Texas, November 5, 1960; admitted to bar, 1986, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., 1983); University of Houston (J.D., 1986). Practice Areas: Corporate; Securities.Email: Richard ("Dick") L. Wynne

SENIOR ASSOCIATES

Andrew C. Fertitta (Senior Associate) born Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 28, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Texas and Louisiana. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 1998); Louisiana State University (J.D., 2001). Judicial Clerk to the Honorable James J. Brady, U.S. District Judge, Middle District of Louisiana. Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Corporate.Email: Andrew C. Fertitta

Cindy K. Krauss (Senior Associate) born Orlando, Florida, July 16, 1974; admitted to bar, 2001, Florida; 2003, Texas. Education: University of Miami (B.A., 1996); University of South Carolina (M.S., 1999); University of Florida (J.D., 2001). Member: The Florida Bar (Member, Real Estate Law Section). Practice Areas: Real Estate.Email: Cindy K. Krauss

Geoffrey Schultz (Senior Associate) admitted to bar, 1999, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., with highest honors, 1996; J.D., with honors, 1999). Practice Areas: Taxation.Email: Geoffrey Schultz

ASSOCIATES

Ashley P. Aiello (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., 2003); University of Texas at Houston School of Law (J.D., 2006). Practice Areas: Environmental Law; Environmental Administrative Law; Environmental Compliance; Environmental Health and Safety; Environmental Litigation; Property Remediation.Email: Ashley P. Aiello

K.S. Liat Avivi (Associate) born Houston, Texas; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 2003; J.D., 2007). Practice Areas: Corporate Law.Email: K.S. Liat Avivi

Jim D. Aycock (Associate) born Bryan, Texas, May 27, 1970; admitted to bar, 2002, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.B.A., 1992); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Named a "Texas Rising Star," 2006 Texas Monthly survey of lawyers. Assistant Vice President, Wells Fargo Bank, 1995-1998. Vice President, Compass Bank, 1998-2002. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Toxic Tort Litigation.Email: Jim D. Aycock

Susan E. Cates (Associate) born Dallas, Texas, December 29, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Texas. Education: Southwestern University (B.S., 2002); University of Texas at Austin (J.D., with honors, 2005). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Susan E. Cates

Mandy L. Diaz (Associate) born Cedar Rapids, Iowa, April 4, 1975; admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: University of Houston (B.S., summa cum laude, 2000; J.D., 2006). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Probate.Email: Mandy L. Diaz

Paul A. Dyson (Associate) born Basildon, England; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., 2002; M.B.A., 2006); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2007). Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Business Litigation.Email: Paul A. Dyson

Justin D. Elkouri (Associate) born Wichita, Kansas; admitted to bar, 2008, Texas. Education: University of Kansas (B.S., 2005); University of Kansas School of Law (J.D., 2008); New York University (LL.M., 2009). Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Securities Law.Email: Justin D. Elkouri

Joshua N. Eppich (Associate) born Houston, Texas; admitted to bar, 2005, Texas and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas. Education: Brigham Young University (B.S., Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance, 2001); Southern Methodist University (J.D., 2005). Articles Editor, International Law Review. Member: American Bar Association; Texas Young Lawyers Association. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy; Bankruptcy Litigation; Commercial Bankruptcy; Complex Litigation.Email: Joshua N. Eppich

Christina M. Ferguson (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2003); University of Texas at Houston School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2006). Member: Houston Young Lawyers Association. Languages: Chinese and German. Practice Areas: Energy.Email: Christina M. Ferguson

Anders T. C. Gibson (Associate) born San Francisco, California; admitted to bar, 2002, Texas and U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas; 2005, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., Economics and Foreign Affairs, 1993); University of Arkansas (J.D., summa cum laude, 2002). Member, Board of Advocates, 2001-2002. Member, Arkansas Law Review. Member: Dallas Association of Young Lawyers. Practice Areas: Energy.Email: Anders T. C. Gibson

Heather K. Hatfield (Associate) born Houston, Texas, November 19, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A., summa cum laude, 2002); Boston University (J.D., cum laude, 2005). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Heather K. Hatfield

Peter G. Irot (Associate) born Austin, Texas; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: Rice University (B.A., 2000); University of Texas at Austin (J.D., 2007). Author, "Sarbanes-Oxley and 'The Treaty': Why Litigators Must Communicate Carefully with Auditors," State Bar of Texas Litigation Section Report, The Advocate, Vol. 36 (Fall 2006). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Peter G. Irot

Scott M. Kelly (Associate) born Kansas City, Kansas, December 20, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.B.A., 1999); University of Houston (J.D., magna cum laude, 2002). Order of the Barons. Articles Editor, Houston Law Review, 2001-2002. Member: Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Trial Practice.Email: Scott M. Kelly

Matthew D. Lea (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., 2002); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2006). Member: State Bar of Texas; Houston Bar Association; Houston Young Lawyers' Association. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Energy.Email: Matthew D. Lea

Jason Thomas Lloyd (Associate) born Houston, Texas; admitted to bar, 2004, Texas. Education: University of St. Thomas (B.B.A., summa cum laude, 2000); University of Texas at Austin, School of Law (J.D., 2003). Outstanding Graduate in Economics; Phi Sigma Tau; Theta Alpha Kappa; Aquinas Honor Society; Delta Mu Delta; Omicron Delta Epsilon. Author: "Let There Be Justice: A Thomistic Assessment of Libertarianism and Utilitarianism," Texas Review of Law & Politics, 2003. Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Energy; Finance; Real Estate.Email: Jason Thomas Lloyd

Sanjay K. Minocha (Associate) born Victoria, Texas; admitted to bar, 2008, Texas. Education: Columbia University (B.A., 2003); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 2008). Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas Practice Areas: Business Litigation.Email: Sanjay K. Minocha

Meghann M. Myers (Associate) born Lafayette, Louisiana; admitted to bar, 2007, Tennessee; 2009, Texas. Education: University of Mississippi (B.A., 2002); University of Tennessee at Knoxville College of Law (J.D., 2007). Member: American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Construction Litigation.Email: Meghann M. Myers

Michael G. Payne (Associate) born Houston, Texas, April 14, 1977; admitted to bar, 2002, Texas, U.S. District Court, Southern, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.B.A., Finance, 1999); University of Texas (J.D., 2002). Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Securities; Corporate Finance; Mergers and Acquisitions; Government Compliance.Email: Michael G. Payne

Kevin Poli (Associate) born Queens, New York, August 28, 1978; admitted to bar, 2003, Texas. Education: University of Texas (B.A., with honors, 2000; J.D., 2003).Email: Kevin Poli

William B. Rasmussen (Associate) born Salt Lake City, Utah, May 31, 1967; admitted to bar, 2000, Texas. Education: Bowdoin College (B.A., 1991); University of Texas at Austin (M.A., 1995; J.D., 2000). Member: College of the State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Private Foundations; Estate Planning; Trust Administration; Estate Administration; Tax Planning; Business Planning.Email: William B. Rasmussen

Matthew R. Reynolds (Associate) born Alexandria, Virginia; admitted to bar, 2005, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., 1999); University of Houston (J.D., 2005). Member: Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Energy.Email: Matthew R. Reynolds

Kevan P. Richards (Associate) born Fort Hood, Texas; admitted to bar, 2000, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.B.A., 1997); University of Texas at Austin (J.D., 2000). Member: San Antonio and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; San Antonio Young Lawyers Association.Email: Kevan P. Richards

Brian G. Rose (Associate) born New York, N.Y.; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 2001); University of Houston (J.D., 2007). Author, "No More Whining about Geographical Indications: Assessing the 2005 Agreement Between the United States and the European Community on the Trade in Wine", Houston Journal of International Law, Vol. 29, Iss. 3 (Spring 2007). Practice Areas: Corporate Law.Email: Brian G. Rose

Timothy C. Ross (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., 2001); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2006). Co-Author: "Ancillary Arbitration Issues in Construction Disputes," 3 Construction Law Journal 1, Summer, 2005; "The Evolving Unpredictability of Class Arbitration," For the Defense, p. 37, June, 2005; "Not Just for Doctors Anymore: H.B. 4 Requirement Shields Design Professionals From Liability," Texas Lawyer, p. 25, March 14, 2005. Member: Houston Bar Association (Member, Construction Law Section); State Bar of Texas (Member, Construction Law Section); Texas Young Lawyers Association; Houston Young Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Construction Law.Email: Timothy C. Ross

R. Blake Runions (Associate) born Poplar Bluff, Missouri; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: Harding University (B.B.A., 1997); University of Houston (J.D., 2007).Email: R. Blake Runions

David W. Salton (Associate) born Clearwater, Florida; admitted to bar, 2008, Texas. Education: Tulane University (B.B.A., 2003); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2007). Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Complex Litigation; Construction Litigation.Email: David W. Salton

M. Harris Stamey (Associate) born Houston, Texas; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., 2003); South Texas College of Law (J.D., 2007). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: M. Harris Stamey

Martin I. von Rosenberg (Associate) born San Antonio, Texas; admitted to bar, 2008, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1998); University of Maryland (M.B.A., 2004); Arizona State University (J.D., 2008). Member: Houston and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Corporate Law.Email: Martin I. von Rosenberg

Katherine Ann Wade (Associate) born Austin, Texas, February 12, 1976; admitted to bar, 2004, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1998; J.D., 2004). Member: Houston Bar Association; American Bar Association; Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Katherine Ann Wade

J.P. Whalen (Associate) born Houston, Texas; admitted to bar, 2007, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.B.A., 2003); University of Houston (J.D., 2007). Practice Areas: Corporate Law; Securities.Email: J.P. Whalen

Amy K. Wolfshohl (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.S., 2001); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 2006). Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Construction Litigation.Email: Amy K. Wolfshohl

Joshua W. Wolfshohl (Associate) born San Antonio, Texas, April 8, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1997); University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 2002). Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Wesley W. Steen, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas. Judicial Intern to the Honorable Manuel E. Leal, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas. Intern, Office of the U.S. Trustee, Houston, Texas. Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Bankruptcy.Email: Joshua W. Wolfshohl

Thomas Andrew "Rusty" Woolley (Associate) born Beaumont, Texas, December 29, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Texas. Education: Texas A & M University (B.A., 2000); University of Texas (J.D., 2003). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2006 Texas Monthly survey. Member: Houston Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Houston Young Lawyers Association.Email: Thomas Andrew "Rusty" Woolley

Janine E. Yee (Associate) born McAllen, Texas, July 16, 1980; admitted to bar, 2005, Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., summa cum laude, 2002); University of Texas at Austin School of Law (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Finance.Email: Janine E. Yee

OF COUNSEL

Nancy H. Elliott (Counsel, Litigation Section) born Elizabeth, New Jersey, April 26, 1958; admitted to bar, 1990, New York; 1992, Texas; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.S., 1985; J.D., 1989). Associate Editor, Texas Law Review. Teaching Quizmaster, University of Texas School of Law, 1988-1989. Registered Nurse, Children's Hospital, 1981-1986. Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: Nancy H. Elliott

Susan Kopecky Hellinger (Of Counsel) born Houston, Texas, November 11, 1968; admitted to bar, 1993, Texas. Education: Trinity University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1990); University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1993). Selected as a "Texas Rising Star," 2004, 2005 and 2006 Texas Monthly surveys of lawyers. Member: Houston Bar Association; Houston Young Lawyers Association; Garland Walker Inn of Court. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation.Email: Susan Kopecky Hellinger

Beverly A. Young (Of Counsel) born Mobile, Alabama, June 23, 1959; admitted to bar, 1988, Texas; 1989, Alabama. Education: University of South Alabama (B.S., 1981); University of Utah (M.S., 1984; J.D., 1988). Practice Areas: ERISA; Employee Benefits; Executive Compensation.Email: Beverly A. Young

All Attorneys are Members of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association and, unless specifically so designated, are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.