Stop Presenting. Start Connecting.
Houston, are you ready to lead the next legal conversation?
We’re not looking for polished slide decks or generic talks. We want real legal leaders – General Counsel, Managing Partners, and Legal Tech builders, who’ve navigated regulatory shifts, scaled with automation, and built solutions that actually work.
After the caliber of speakers from Google, Zendesk, McAfee, and global privacy and AI leaders in San Francisco, we’re bringing that same bold energy to Houston, a city built on grit, growth, and global impact.
This is your moment to share hard-won insights and shape what’s next for the legal industry.
SPEAKERS
Monica Romelina Sijabat
Founder & Managing Partner at MRS Business Professional
- United Nations Speaker
- United Nations Representative for ECOSOC
- Harvard Kennedy School Alumni-Economic Development
- Harvard Kennedy School Representative 2024-Washington DC
Monica Romelina Sijabat is the Founder & Managing Partner at MRS Business Professional, based out of Jakarta, Indonesia, with an office in Washington DC, USA. MRS is a specialised Tax Consultancy Organization with expertise in Transfer Pricing, Tax Advisory, Audit, Review, Litigation, Compliance, and Review. Her professional background is as a Chartered Accountant, Tax Attorney & Tax Consultant with more than 20 years of experience. She has currently a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Indonesia (FEB UI) since 2018 until now & at the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, University of Indonesia (FIA UI) in 2017. In 2011, she was also a Brevet C Tax Instructor as well as a Main Member in the Association of Indonesian Accountants. She has an educational background and is an alumna of the Economics faculty at the University of Indonesia and an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School in the field of Economic Development with the Executive Certificate.
Monica Romelina Sijabat
Founder & Managing Partner at MRS Business Professional
Walter Sabrin
Chief Talent Officer, Solvo Global
Walter Sabrin
Chief Talent Officer, Solvo Global
Keeley Davis
Business Consultant, Solvo Global
Keeley Davis is a human capital and operational consultant with over a decade of experience across payroll, HR, benefits, and workforce strategy. She works with growing organizations to identify operational bottlenecks and implement hiring strategies that support sustainable growth.
Representing Solvo Global, Keeley specializes in helping law firms and professional service organizations expand their teams by accessing specialized talent both locally and globally. Through Solvo’s global staffing model, she helps firms add highly skilled professionals in roles such as paralegals, case managers, intake specialists, medical records specialists, administrative support and more, across 33 different countries.
Her approach focuses on helping attorneys and leadership teams delegate operational work, strengthen their teams, and free up time to focus on higher-value legal strategy and client service.
Keeley Davis
Business Consultant, Solvo Global
Sean Parker
Head of Sales, SmartAdvocate
Sean Parker is a legal and business professional with a strong foundation in both law and technology. He graduated pre-law from Florida Gulf Coast University and earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. After law school, Sean spent many years working with one of the largest personal injury law firms in Colorado, where he gained deep, hands-on experience with high-volume litigation, complex case management, and the operational realities of modern law firms. Through that work, Sean developed a passion for improving efficiency, accountability, and outcomes through better legal technology. Today, he serves as the Head of Sales for SmartAdvocate, a leading case management platform used by law firms nationwide. In this role, Sean partners with attorneys and legal teams to help them streamline workflows, scale their practices, and leverage technology to deliver better results for their clients.
Sean Parker
Head of Sales, SmartAdvocate
Taylor Smith
Regional Sales Manager at FindLaw & Super Lawyers
Taylor Smith is a Regional Sales Manager at FindLaw & Super Lawyers, where he leverages over a decade of technology experience to help law firms and attorneys enhance their brand awareness and visibility in local markets. A University of Georgia graduate with a degree in Finance, Taylor specializes in guiding legal professionals through the evolving digital landscape, helping them connect with clients when it matters most. At FindLaw & Super Lawyers, a legal technology leader at the forefront of AI innovation, Taylor works with cutting-edge directory solutions that ensure legal customers appear prominently in search results. Their expertise bridges the gap between technology and legal marketing, empowering attorneys to build stronger practices through strategic digital positioning and enhanced online presence.
Taylor Smith
Regional Sales Manager at FindLaw & Super Lawyers
Diane Borges de Carvalho
In-House Lawyer at PRIO
Diane Carvalho is a Tax Executive and leader with over 20 years of dual-track experience in Big Four consulting and multinational Oil & Gas corporate leadership. Currently serving as the Head of Tax for PRIO S.A., she specializes in complex Brazilian and international tax planning, M&A structuring, and corporate restructuring, ensuring legal certainty and fiscal optimization for influential national and global groups. Diane is deeply committed to shaping the future of tax regulation, actively contributing as an author of multiple Tax Law publications and an engaging speaker at major international and Brazilian events. Her multidisciplinary background includes an Executive MBA (COPPEAD/UFRJ), a Law Degree (PUCRS), and an Accounting Degree (Cândido Mendes), providing a robust foundation for strategic leadership. Diane is a passionate, highly proactive leader dedicated to promoting a meritocratic, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
Diane Borges de Carvalho
In-House Lawyer at PRIO
Akash Gobardhan
Legal Partner at KGL Tax & Legal NV
Akash Gobardhan is a seasoned legal and tax professional with over a decade of experience advising leading organizations across Suriname and the wider Caribbean. His career began in 2011 as a legal officer within the insurance sector, after which he transitioned to KPMG Meijburg Caribbean as a Tax & Legal Compliance Officer, supporting major players in the natural resources industry. Following the closure of KPMG Suriname, Akash joined EY Dutch Caribbean, where he was instrumental in establishing and leading the firm’s Suriname practice, managing advisory and compliance services for international clients. In 2019, he advanced to Kenswil & Co as Senior Manager, specializing in Oil & Gas, Mining, M&A, corporate structuring, and labor law advisory. He continued these responsibilities after the firm’s merger with HBN Law & Tax in 2022. In July 2023, Akash co-founded KGL Tax & Legal, where he now serves as Legal Partner, supporting both tax and legal engagements with a strong focus on Suriname’s Oil & Gas sector. Known for his leadership, strategic insight, and multidisciplinary expertise, Akash has built a respected reputation across industries including natural resources, construction, insurance, banking, and telecommunications.
Akash Gobardhan
Legal Partner at KGL Tax & Legal NV
Fernanda Garza Magdaleno
Founding Partner at Garza Magdaleno, S.C.
Fernanda Garza is a founding partner at Garza Magdaleno, S.C., specializing in Antitrust and International Trade Law. With over 20 years of experience, she advises national and multinational companies, combining private practice with public service, including roles at COFECE, the Mexican Ministry of Economy, and the WTO. She has led high-profile antitrust cases, international trade disputes, and free trade agreement negotiations. Recognized by Chambers & Partners, Legal500, and Best Lawyers, Fernanda has authored books and lectured on WTO and international law. Since 2025, she coordinates the Antitrust Chapter of the Mexican Bar Association and champions inclusive professional development through AbogadasMx and Women at Competition.
Fernanda Garza Magdaleno
Founding Partner at Garza Magdaleno, S.C.
Regina Díaz Pinedo
Associate | Legal Consultant, Corporate, Compliance, Risks & Disputes, Auren Mexico (Part of Auren Global & Antea Group), Legal Department in Mexico City
Regina Díaz is an associate in Legal Strategy, Compliance, Risk Management, and Dispute Resolution at Auren Mexico, where she advises national and international clients operating in highly regulated and cross-border environments. Her practice focuses on designing preventive legal and governance frameworks that integrate regulatory compliance, corporate governance, strategic contracting, and alternative dispute resolution as tools for institutional strength, legal certainty, and sustainable business
operations.
Her work supports executive leadership and compliance functions through the development and localization of internal policies, governance models, and structured legal strategies aligned with both local regulations and international standards. Regina’s approach emphasises prevention over conflict, the harmonisation of multi-jurisdictional legal frameworks, and the creation of durable institutional structures that reduce risk exposure and support long-term organisational resilience.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with advanced professional training in Global Diplomacy, Legal Technology and the Digital Transformation of Legal Practice, International Humanitarian Law, Law & Ethics, and Strategic Negotiation, shaping a results-driven, ethically grounded, and forward-looking legal practice.
Regina Díaz Pinedo
Associate | Legal Consultant, Corporate, Compliance, Risks & Disputes, Auren Mexico (Part of Auren Global & Antea Group), Legal Department in Mexico City
Guilhem Becvort
Partner at White & Case
Guilhèm Becvort is a partner in the Global Tax Practice based in Luxembourg, specializing in international and Luxembourg corporate tax law. He advises on cross-border real estate, private equity, infrastructure, debt finance, securitisations, capital markets transactions, restructurings, and M&A. His expertise includes regulated and unregulated fund platforms, Pillar 2, DAC6, FATCA, CRS, and exchange of information matters, as well as pre-litigation and litigation support. A frequent speaker and published author, he serves on the scientific committee of Revue de droit fiscal. Guilhèm is active in IBA, IFA, LuxCMA, and ALFI, and leads pro bono initiatives in Luxembourg.
Guilhem Becvort
Partner at White & Case
Pedro Henrique Vega Longhi
Legal Chief Officer at JiveMauá
Pedro Longhi is the Legal Chief Officer at JiveMauá Group, a leading Brazilian alternative investment manager specializing in special situations, distressed assets, and credit strategies. JiveMauá operates as one of the largest independent alternative asset managers in Brazil, with more than R$24 billion (approx. US$4.7 billion) in assets under management and a broad range of investment strategies spanning credit, real estate, and special situations. In his role, Pedro oversees the legal strategy of the group and supports the structuring and execution of complex investment transactions.
Prior to joining JiveMauá, Pedro developed extensive experience in capital markets, M&A, and corporate finance. He began his career at Lefosse Advogados, where he spent 2 years advising on sophisticated capital markets, M&A and finance transactions, as well as corporate matters. He later joined Itaú BBA, one of Latin America’s leading investment banks, where he spent 4 years working on capital markets and strategic financial transactions. Pedro subsequently gained international experience as an International Law Clerk at White & Case, focusing on cross-border legal and financial matters. Before joining JiveMauá, Pedro worked for 2 years at Mattos Filho Advogados, one of Brazil’s leading law firms, advising on complex corporate and capital markets transactions.
Pedro holds a Law degree from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie and a master’s degree in business economics from Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), which has enabled him to consistently bridge legal analysis with economic and business decision-making.
Pedro is admitted to the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/SP) and is fluent in English and German, with working knowledge of Spanish.
Pedro Henrique Vega Longhi
Legal Chief Officer at JiveMauá
Martín Emiliano Guala
Sr. Associate at MARVAL
Martín Guala is a senior associate at Marval O’Farrell Mairal, the largest law firm in Argentina and one of the leading firms in Latin America, where he focuses his practice on labor, employment and social security law.
With over 15 years of experience in the legal sector, Martín advises multinational companies on complex and high-impact workplace matters, including M&A transactions, post-acquisition integrations, large-scale restructurings, executive and variable compensation structures, union negotiations, and sophisticated workforce and social security compliance strategies. He is regularly involved in sensitive, business-critical projects that require both technical expertise and strategic judgment.
He holds a Law degree from Universidad de Belgrano and postgraduate specializations in Labor Law and Social Security Law from Universidad de Buenos Aires, as well as a graduate degree in Corporate Legal Counseling.
Martín is an active contributor to the legal community. He regularly authors international and local publications, including annual comparative guides such as ICLG, contributes to specialized journals, teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and frequently participates as a speaker at labor and social security conferences and industry events.
Martín Emiliano Guala
Sr. Associate at MARVAL
Raphael Zaroni
Managing Partner, Zaroni Advogados
Raphael Zaroni is the founding partner of Zaroni Advogados, with a practice spanning international contracts, corporate law, tax, and dispute resolution. He advises foreign companies, investors, and general counsel on cross-border transactions with Brazilian exposure — from contract structuring and corporate arrangements to arbitration and litigation.
Raphael works at the intersection of international contractual practice and Brazilian law, with experience across technology, infrastructure, maritime operations, and financial services. His approach is practical by design: not theoretical compliance, but strategies that hold when actually tested.
He speaks regularly at international legal forums, including LexTalk World Houston 2026, addressing the structural gaps that international lawyers encounter when their contracts need to function in Brazil.
Raphael Zaroni
Managing Partner, Zaroni Advogados
Charles N. Bowen
Adjunct Professor at Georgia State University College of Law, USA
Charles Bowen is founder and principal at Legal Path LLC, providing legal and advisory services in M&A, commercial contracts, GRC (governance risk and compliance), and technology implementation. Charles also is an adjunct professor at Georgia State University, where he teaches at the College of Law on Innovation in the Practice of Law, and at the Robinson College of Business on the Legal and Ethical Environments of Business. Charles has worked for the past 25 years with Cox Enterprises and the Cox Family Office, where he served as General Counsel, Compliance Officer, and a member of the Audit & Risk Committee. He also serves on the Advisory Board of CoreCLM, a contract automation platform.
Charles N. Bowen
Adjunct Professor at Georgia State University College of Law, USA
Brian Hinman
Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Cote Global, Inc.
Brian Hinman is Chief IP Officer at Cote Global, investing IP capital into growth-stage tech companies. With over 30 years in intellectual property, he has held senior roles at Aon, Philips, IBM, Verizon, and InterDigital, and co-founded Unified Patents Inc. At Philips, he led a global team of 400+, managing IP strategy, litigation, standards, and monetization. At Aon, he helped establish market standards for IP valuation, securing $2B in IP-backed loans. Inducted into the IP Hall of Fame in 2023, Brian also received the Q. Todd Dickinson Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a published author, speaker, and industry advisor.
Brian Hinman
Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Cote Global, Inc.
Zackery Wavrusa
Senior Counsel, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Zack Wavrusa is an experienced trial advocate. He has tried more than 100 felony criminal cases to verdict as a prosecutor for Rusk County, Texas, and he has recovered millions of dollars for Medicaid that would have otherwise been lost to fraud, waste, and abuse in his current role at the Texas Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General. Zack has also produced numerous articles and presentations on trial advocacy topics for the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association. He has served as a faculty advisor for Baylor University School of Law’s voir dire bootcamp, and is a member of the State Bar’s Criminal Pattern Jury Charge Committee.
Zackery Wavrusa
Senior Counsel, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Alejandro Galván Illanes
Head of Legal & Data Privacy Officer at Petco Mexico
Mexican lawyer with over 20 years of experience in administrative law, regulation, data privacy, compliance, anti-corruption, and ethics. Currently, responsible for Legal, Regulatory, and Government Relations for Mexico and Chile at Petco Mexico. Former Director of Transparency for the Secretariat of the Interior in the Mexican Federal Government. Professor and lecturer at various academic and professional institutions, with knowledge and experience on topics such as compliance, anti-corruption, personal data protection, government regulations, strategic planning, public administration, and constitutional and administrative law. Opening speaker at the IV National Congress of Public Management in Brazil, representative of the Federal Executive Branch in forums on transparency and access to information, co-author of a book on municipal regulations, and a contributor to a journal specializing in public service.
Alejandro Galván Illanes
Head of Legal & Data Privacy Officer at Petco Mexico
Gabriella Neal
Global Sanctions & ITC Counsel / Data Privacy Counsel at Halliburton
Gabriella Neal is a dual licensed attorney in Mexico and in the state of New York, with vast experience in the legal and compliance landscape for multinational companies while understanding the cultural nuances and business mindsets. Gabriella is currently the Global Sanctions & ITC Counsel, as well as Data Privacy Counsel for Halliburton while also assisting with investigations. She was the former Latin America Compliance Counsel and Sr Counsel for Mexico at Weatherford for 8 years. Prior to that she was at Halliburton for 11 years holding various positions including Counsel for Mexico and Northern Latin America Counsel. Gabriella holds an LLM degree from the University of Houston and the Universidad Anahuac of Mexico City and a law degree from the Tecnologico de Monterrey.
Gabriella Neal
Global Sanctions & ITC Counsel / Data Privacy Counsel at Halliburton
Hanna Steinbach
General Counsel at Harness
Hanna is Harness General Counsel and oversees the company’s global legal function. At Harness, she launched the company’s global AI compliance program, led several M&A initiatives, and oversaw its most recent Series E financing round. Prior to joining Harness, Hanna served as Medallia’s Chief Legal Officer, leading the company’s Legal, Policy, and Compliance functions. During her tenure, Medallia grew from under 1,000 to over 3,000 employees, completed a successful IPO, and was ultimately taken private through a private equity buyout. She secured several significant litigation wins, oversaw the acquisition and integration of multiple companies, and played an instrumental role in both the IPO and the take-private transaction. Before Medallia, Hanna practiced with international law firms in Vienna, San Francisco, and Berlin, focusing on antitrust and competition law, privacy, and international corporate matters. She also worked at the World Intellectual Property Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, directly sponsored by the German government. Hanna holds law degrees from the Vienna School of Law, Stockholm University, and Berkeley School of Law.
Hanna Steinbach
General Counsel at Harness
Suneet Gautam
Assistant General Counsel, at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Suneet Gautam is Assistant General Counsel for Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., where he serves as lead product and commercial counsel for the Server‑Enterprise business unit and the Server Solution Group engineering organization. Previously, Suneet was lead counsel for the Graphics R&D Engineering Organization, where he advised on AI, hardware, and software development, hardware IP development and licensing, and served as the legal lead for open‑source compliance. Before joining AMD, Suneet was a Staff Attorney with P180 Investments, supporting legal matters for its portfolio of software companies. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and the University of Kentucky.
Suneet Gautam
Assistant General Counsel, at Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
David Klaponski
Legal Counsel at Vancouver Coastal Health
His work focuses on data protection, privacy, and legal issues related to the use of technology, including artificial intelligence. Before joining Vancouver Coastal Health, he worked in private practice advising Canadian, US, and international technology clients on corporate, commercial, privacy, and regulatory matters. He also teaches business law at Douglas College in British Columbia.
David Klaponski
Legal Counsel at Vancouver Coastal Health
Flora A. Francis
Managing Legal & Compliance Counsel, Americas at Burckhardt Compression (US) Inc.
Flora A. Francis is an accomplished legal and compliance executive with deep experience across federal law enforcement and global corporate environments. Born in rural Georgia as one of five siblings to educator parents, she graduated with honors from Glenn Hills High School in Augusta before earning a Psychology degree from Oberlin College and a JD from Cornell Law School. Flora began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, trying more than 20 cases, including work in the Sex Crimes Bureau. She then represented the FDA in administrative, civil, and criminal matters, later serving at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she advised the FBI, DEA, and the Office of the Inspector General. In the private sector, she held senior roles at Microsoft, GE, Wood Group, and Fluor, leading investigations, compliance, and international arbitration matters. Flora now serves as Managing Legal and Compliance Counsel for Burckhardt Compression, supporting legal and compliance operations across the Americas.
Flora A. Francis
Managing Legal & Compliance Counsel, Americas at Burckhardt Compression (US) Inc.
Daniel E Quitian Rodriguez
Supplier Contracts & Legal Counsel, SLB
Daniel Quitian is an LL.M‑qualified lawyer with 14 years of experience in corporate governance, commercial and corporate law, foreign exchange regulations, and tax law. Formerly with Schlumberger (SLB) for seven years, he has built a strong track record supporting global contracting operations, complex negotiations, and cross border compliance frameworks. Based in Houston and originally from Colombia, Daniel brings a global and business aligned perspective to legal risk management and strategic operational support. His work focuses on integrating legal insight into organizational decision making, ensuring that commercial objectives are achieved within sound governance and regulatory structures. Daniel advocates for an evolved view of the General Counsel role one that balances strategic leadership with rigorous compliance stewardship. Recognized for his pragmatic judgment and collaborative approach, he is committed to empowering legal and business teams to navigate emerging risks, strengthen ethical practices, and drive sustainable, well governed growth.
Daniel E Quitian Rodriguez
Supplier Contracts & Legal Counsel, SLB
Davina Amiri
Senior Counsel at TE Connectivity
Davina Amiri is Senior Counsel at TE Connectivity’s Digital Data Networks business, supporting hyper-growth in data center and edge/IoT hardware. She leads commercial transactions and provides strategic legal advice, ensuring compliance while enabling business expansion. Previously, she advised AI startups on commercial and regulatory matters at Presidio Legal, a top-25 VC law firm, and served as Senior Legal Counsel at Dell Technologies, earning awards for closing the company’s largest deals. She also led her own practice supporting high-growth tech companies, was US Head of Legal at fintech World First, and practiced at Sidley Austin. Davina is a two-time Super Lawyers Rising Star.
Davina Amiri
Senior Counsel at TE Connectivity
Dawn Tezino
Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment, and Investigations at CITGO Petroleum Corporation (“CITGO”)
Ms. Tezino is Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment, and Investigations at CITGO Petroleum Corporation (“CITGO”). Her primary responsibilities include counseling multiple stakeholders including C-Suite Executives, Vice Presidents, General Managers, and senior HR business partners on a wide range of commercial and labor and employment issues under Title VII including but not limited to employee discipline, terminations, employee leaves under long-term and short-term disability, FMLA and ADA. She also has experience in labor relations, including arbitration, collective bargaining, unfair labor practice charges, and providing advice regarding the National Labor Relations Act. Moreover, Ms. Tezino works in close partnership with the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and his team to supervise privileged investigations and efficiently manage external counsel and their budgets to guarantee compliance with the Company’s fiscal policies, core values and ethical standards. Her dedication to meticulous legal service has been instrumental in navigating intricate legal landscapes, reinforcing CITGO’s corporate integrity.
Dawn Tezino
Senior Corporate Counsel, Labor & Employment, and Investigations at CITGO Petroleum Corporation (“CITGO”)
Nikki Chriesman‑Green
Senior Employment Counsel, Amdocs Inc.
Nikki Chriesman‑Green is Senior Employment Counsel at Amdocs, a global technology company, where she partners with executives and HR leaders worldwide to address complex employment and labor law issues. She plays a key role in the company’s global mergers and acquisitions activities, leveraging AI‑driven tools to enhance due diligence, assess employment‑related risks, and support strategic business decisions across jurisdictions. Nikki also serves as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law, coaching moot court teams and mentoring future lawyers. A respected leader in the legal community, Nikki is a director on the Executive Board of the Tarrant County Bar Association and chairs its Diversity Committee. She has previously chaired the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas and served as president of the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association.
Nikki Chriesman‑Green
Senior Employment Counsel, Amdocs Inc.
Kelline Linton
Senior Legal Counsel – Sustainability & ESG at Shell USA, Inc.
Kelline Linton is Senior Legal Counsel, Sustainability & ESG at Shell, one of the world’s largest energy companies. At Shell, Kelline serves as the Americas focal for the corporate Sustainability & ESG Legal team. She advises on a broad range of ESG-related legal matters impacting Shell, including sustainability governance, regulatory and voluntary ESG reporting and climate-related disclosures, carbon mechanisms for decarbonization, US and Group energy transition strategies, ESG policy and advocacy, and sustainability claims and messaging. Prior to Shell, Kelline worked as an attorney in the Houston offices of Baker Hostetler and Locke Lord. A graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, Kelline is licensed to practice in both California and Texas. She also serves on the Board of Houston Volunteer Lawyers, the largest provider of pro bono legal services in Harris County and the surrounding areas.
Kelline Linton
Senior Legal Counsel – Sustainability & ESG at Shell USA, Inc.
Kelli Clester Wayland
Senior Corporate Counsel at Baker Hughes
Kelli Clester Wayland is Senior Counsel for Digital Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes, a leading global energy technology company. In this role she leads legal strategies for digital and industrial energy technologies, focusing on complex commercial and sourcing projects that support the company’s innovation and growth in energy and industrial markets. Her primary focus supports Baker Hughe’s digital innovation priorities while ensuring compliance and effective risk management across dynamic technologies and industrial ecosystems. Baker Hughes is a global energy technology provider headquartered in Houston and London.
Kelli Clester Wayland
Senior Corporate Counsel at Baker Hughes
Sabrina Tulon
Senior Corporate Counsel at CITGO
Sabrina Tulon serves as Senior Corporate Counsel at CITGO Petroleum Corporation. She advises cross‑functional teams on cybersecurity, data privacy, and responsible AI; supports the Lubricants business with contract drafting and negotiation, marketing initiatives, and day‑to‑day legal needs; manages corporate procurement agreements and counsels on credit, bankruptcy, and tax. Born and raised in France, Sabrina is licensed to practice in France and in Texas, has negotiated contracts in 60+ countries, and holds an LL.M. in Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Law from the University of Houston Law Center.
Sabrina Tulon
Senior Corporate Counsel at CITGO
Marianne Ibrahim
(former) Chief Compliance Officer at ChampionX
MARIANNE IBRAHIM was the Chief Compliance Officer at ChampionX with operations in over 60 countries, which was recently acquired by SLB. She was responsible for global ethics & compliance and global trade compliance and sanctions across the enterprise. She managed internal investigations, compliance audits of foreign subsidiaries, joint ventures and commercial sales representatives in high risk and emerging markets, global risk assessments, and third party governance. She served as the Co-Chair of the Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM“) Committee and provides guidance on inherent and residual risks. Marianne worked closely with the business and gatekeeper functions to monitor and continually improve governance and internal controls. She served as the Chair of the Artificial Intelligence Governance committee and was the executive sponsor for Human Rights. She enjoys working in a global jurisdiction and has travelled to 92 countries.
Marianne Ibrahim
(former) Chief Compliance Officer at ChampionX
John Poliak
Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Law at Halliburton
John Poliak is Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Law, at Halliburton, supporting its global digital, AI, cloud, and software businesses for energy sector customers. He is a seasoned intellectual property and commercial attorney with deep business and engineering experience. As a trusted advisor, he advances evolving technologies and commercial strategies while effectively managing legal and operational risk.
John Poliak
Assistant General Counsel, Commercial Law at Halliburton
Angeles Garcia Cassin
Partner at Sheppard Mullin
Angeles Garcia Cassin is a partner in Sheppard’s Houston office with extensive experience in corporate investigations, whistleblower defense, and crisis management for Fortune 50 companies. She has led more than 50 investigations into workplace misconduct and has defended employers facing whistleblower claims before OSHA. She is skillful at resolving high-stakes matters with significant PR risk before litigation arises. Drawing on her trial expertise, Angeles advises clients on how juries may interpret case facts and the adequacy of company investigations. She also counsels on compliance, policy development, corrective actions, and risk mitigation. Angeles has achieved early dismissals and defense wins in major discrimination, retaliation, and FLSA matters, and represents clients before the Department of Labor, DOJ, and EEOC. Named to Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America since 2021, she is Texas-admitted, fluent in Spanish, and frequently speaks on labor and employment law topics.
Angeles Garcia Cassin
Partner at Sheppard Mullin
Alamdar S. Hamdani
Partner at BRACEWELL LLP
Alamdar Hamdani is a distinguished trial lawyer with decades of experience in national security and white-collar matters, including sanctions, terrorism, fraud, and cross-border enforcement. He joined Bracewell after a 17-year career with the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently serving as the Presidentially Appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, overseeing 400 employees. He advises corporations and executives on complex investigations, compliance, and civil litigation. A former Deputy Chief in DOJ’s Counterterrorism Section, he also taught national security law at the University of Houston and was featured in Jake Tapper’s 2025 book Race Against Terror.
Alamdar S. Hamdani
Partner at BRACEWELL LLP
Le Hammer
Managing Counsel at Valaris Limited
Le Hammer
Managing Counsel at Valaris Limited
Allyssa Wickstrom
Chief Legal Officer, Wineshipping
Allyssa Wickstrom
Chief Legal Officer, Wineshipping
Jason Sander
Lead Counsel, Compliance, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy at LyondellBasell
Jason Sander is Lead Counsel at LyondellBasell, a global chemical industry leader guided by its purpose of creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. At LyondellBasell, Jason leads the development of legal frameworks for data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI) governance, advising globally on the responsible deployment of emerging technologies. He brings more than 15 years of experience spanning intellectual property strategy to the evolving legal challenges of the digital era. Prior to joining LyondellBasell, Jason practiced law in the Houston offices of Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Gardere Wynne (now Foley Lardner, LLP). Jason holds a J.D. From the University of Houston Law Center and a degree in chemical engineering from Rutgers University. He is admitted to the patent bar and holds CIPP/E, CIPP/US, and CIPM certificates from the IAPP.
Jason Sander
Lead Counsel, Compliance, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy at LyondellBasell
Ted Seago
Founder of Aletheia Advisors and Corporate Counsel for Ubiquity Global Services.
Ted J. Seago is Corporate Counsel at Ubiquity, where he advises a global business operating at the intersection of AI, data, and privacy. His practice focuses on AI and data governance, IP strategy, and high-stakes commercial deals, translating risk into practical guardrails for executives and product teams. Ted is also the founder of Aletheia Advisors, a fractional general counsel service for growth-minded companies seeking ongoing legal support with predictable pricing. Before moving in-house, he practiced litigation and corporate law in Washington, D.C., which informs his approach to drafting agreements that hold up when disputes arise. Ted holds a JD and an MBA; his MBA is from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business. He is a marathon runner and father.
Ted Seago
Founder of Aletheia Advisors and Corporate Counsel for Ubiquity Global Services
Julie Grantham
Senior Corporate Counsel at Ciena
Julie Grantham is Senior Corporate Counsel at Ciena, where she advises on complex technology deals and GTM strategies, IP, data privacy, and the governance implications of generative AI. She also serves on the leadership team for Ciena’s Global Services. A former general counsel and adjunct professor on eDiscovery and technology, she brings more than 20 years of global in-house experience and is a participant in the 50/50 Women on Boards program.
Julie Grantham
Senior Corporate Counsel at Ciena
John Dagley
Partner with Buck Keenan LLP
John L. Dagley has over 35 years of experience handling cases in all aspects of civil
litigation. He has tried cases for plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal trial
courts, arbitrations, and on appeal throughout the United States. He has obtained
significant multi-million-dollar judgments and settlements for businesses and
individuals in a wide range of practice areas, including fiduciary, probate, trust and
estate, oil and gas, insurance, healthcare, partnerships, closely held businesses, and
unique family disputes. His experience ranges from representing Fortune 500
companies in intellectual property lawsuits to representing individuals in dog bite
lawsuits and everything in between.
Mr. Dagley is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal
Specialization, a specialty certification held by less than one percent of lawyers in
Texas. He earned his LL.M in Litigation Management and his J.D. degree from Baylor
University School of Law. Mr. Dagley is regularly asked to participate in continuing
legal education events, including the State Bar of Texas Fiduciary Litigation course,
the State Bar of Texas Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation course, and the
StoneTurn Group Intellectual Property Roundtable.
John Dagley
Partner with Buck Keenan LLP
William B. Thomas
Partner, McDowell Hetherington LLP
Will Thomas is an accomplished and aggressive litigator who applies the leadership, discipline, and strategic insight he developed as a U.S. Army officer to complex, high‑stakes civil litigation. He represents energy companies, off‑road vehicle manufacturers, consumer product manufacturers, and industrial facilities in matters that require meticulous case strategy and strong courtroom advocacy. Recognized repeatedly as a Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Will is known for delivering results and for his client‑focused approach to defining success early in the litigation process.
To enhance his ability to manage large, multifaceted cases, Will returned to law school to earn an LL.M. in Litigation Management. He plays a key leadership role at McDowell Hetherington as the firm’s Hiring Partner and a member of its Management Committee, helping guide strategic decisions and talent development.
Before entering private practice, Will clerked for the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, giving him valuable firsthand insight into judicial decision‑making and effective advocacy. His legal career builds on his service as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army. During his 2008 deployment to Iraq, he served as a bodyguard for high‑ranking visitors and managed the Army’s Baghdad hotel for VIPs—a unique assignment that placed him in close contact with senior military and government leadership.
William B. Thomas
Partner, McDowell Hetherington LLP
Maia Bartee
Assistant General Counsel at FirstService Residential
Maia Bartee serves as Assistant General Counsel at FirstService Residential, the leading residential property management company in North America. In her role, Maia provides strategic legal guidance to support the company’s operations across the West, East, and North Regions, advising on complex matters involving employment law, compliance, risk management, corporate governance, and operational best practices. She partners closely with executive leadership and operational teams to proactively identify legal risk, implement practical solutions, and strengthen organisational resilience.
Known for her balanced, business‑oriented approach, Maia leverages her litigation background and deep understanding of employment and corporate law to help leaders navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. She plays a key role in developing policies, training initiatives, and strategies that support FirstService Residential’s mission of delivering exceptional service to its communities and associates.
Maia is passionate about ethical leadership, workplace equity, and the evolving role of technology—particularly AI—in shaping modern legal strategy.
Maia Bartee
Assistant General Counsel at FirstService Residential
Chip Adams
Of counsel at GORDON REES SCULLY MANSUKHANI, LLP
Chip Adams is an attorney and mediator, and has extensive litigation experience in matters involving products liability, transportation law, toxic torts, construction and industrial bodily injury matters, and general liability. He has served as statewide counsel for several multinational corporations in products liability actions and in trucking incidents, representing clients in claims involving bodily injury and death, and has represented clients in trial throughout Texas and in various jurisdictions throughout the country. Chip is a qualified mediator in Texas and has completed 40 hours of mediation training as required under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
Outside of the courtroom, Chip spends a considerable amount of time in both professional and bar-related activities through the DRI and IADC, and he has held numerous positions on DRI’s steering committees.
Chip Adams
Of counsel at GORDON REES SCULLY MANSUKHANI, LLP
John Zavitsanos
Managing Partner at AZA
John Zavitsanos is one of the premier trial lawyers in the country. John has tried over 100 cases to verdict across a broad range of areas including intellectual property, environmental, catastrophic personal injury, commercial disputes and business torts. He has a Band 1 rating in two categories by Chambers & Partners (trial and commercial litigation) – the leading lawyer rating service in the world. He is the managing partner of AZA, a trial boutique with offices in Houston & Dallas that has been recognized as one of the top 25 litigation boutiques in America by Firm Prospects. He is also the principal author of the leading litigation guide in Texas — O’Connor’s Texas Rules * Civil Trials.
Moreover, John is one of 5 lawyers in the world to serve as legal counsel to the Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey (the head of 300 million Orthodox Christians). He argued a case in the European Court of Human Rights against the government of Turkey and was part of the winning team that recovered an Orphanage that had been wrongfully taken by the Turkish government.
John Zavitsanos
Managing Partner at AZA
J. Daniel (Dan) Chapman
Founder, Presyse Compliance
Dan Chapman is an internationally recognized compliance expert (including six terms as Vice Chair of ABA’s committees on corruption, export controls and economic sanctions), adjunct professor, author and frequent speaker on effective compliance programs. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and other prominent publications, which repeatedly ranked him among the top global ethics and compliance officers. He founded Presyse Compliance in 2017 to advise companies on building and enhancing compliance programs. His background spans corporate leadership (CCO and General Counsel), international law firms, entrepreneurial ventures and degrees from Cambridge, LSE, Emory and the University of Kentucky.
J. Daniel (Dan) Chapman
Founder, Presyse Compliance
Brad Rutledge
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Brad is a partner at the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. He brings over a decade of experience litigating catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. These matters come through jobsite incidents, products liability, premises liability, motor vehicle accidents, and other fact patterns. His experience covers pre-suit investigation and response, fact and expert discovery, trial preparations, trial, and case resolution. A significant part of his work has been in mass tort litigation. Through that, he has participated in some of the largest and most publicized tort cases in Texas, such as litigation arising out of the Astroworld Music Festival (at its peak involving approximately 6,000 claimants), mass environmental claims following Hurricane Harvey (involving approximately 1,000 claimants), multiple refinery or chemical plant accidents, and product defect claims alleged across over a hundred different construction projects.
Brad Rutledge
Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Lee Kaplan
Partner, Murphy Ball Stratton LLP
Lee knows trials. Lee knows Texas. Lee knows how to win.
Over the course of his stellar career, Lee has tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts, representing plaintiffs and defendants ranging from individuals to Fortune 10 corporations. Highlighting his adaptability and ease in any setting, one of those successful trials was a 19-day Zoom trial during the Covid-19 pandemic, believed to be the longest virtual trial to-date in Texas.
Through the years, Lee has secured for his clients some of the largest verdicts in Texas. Because of his seasoned experience and notable victories, Lee has long been named a leading litigator in the state and nationwide.
He is especially celebrated for his intellectual-property work, but he has also achieved superior results in oil and gas, construction, securities, antitrust, FCPA, fraud, trade-secret, shareholder-rights, and class-action matters. These wide-ranging successes are due in part to Lee’s intellectual curiosity—he enjoys learning about his clients and their industries—and his ability to master complex business dealings or scientific concepts and explain them clearly to lay people like judges and juries.
Lee also serves as arbitrator in large, complex disputes, often appointed by former opposing counsel who have observed his bright mind, business savvy, and even temperament firsthand.
A lifelong Houstonian, Lee is dedicated to the community. He is an Eagle Scout and committed assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 212.
Lee Kaplan
Partner, Murphy Ball Stratton LLP
John Wood
Partner, Green Klein Wood & Jones
John D. Wood, Esq., is an attorney, author, educator, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is Partner of the law firm Green Klein Wood & Jones, a law firm that represents policyholders in litigation against insurance companies for mishandled, underpaid, and improperly denied claims, especially for bad faith insurance claims handling.
Wood is a legal scholar and author of law review articles on insurance law, human nature and risk management appearing in influential law review journals such as the Texas Insurance Law Journal, the Environmental Law Reporter, the NYU Journal of Law and Liberty, and the NYU Environmental Law Journal.
John is co-author of an award-winning article on Artificial Intelligence published in the Harvard Business Review, as well as two books, Foundations of Sustainable Business: Theory, Function and Strategy and The Humachine: Humankind, Machines, and the Future of Enterprise.
John Wood
Partner, Green Klein Wood & Jones
Isoken Aderele
Head of Group Contracts Advisory – DNV
Isoken Aderele a corporate & commercial lawyer with 24 years of experience spanning the UK, UAE, and US — licensed in Nigeria, England & Wales, and Texas. Isoken’s career has focused on international contracts, governance, compliance, and litigation across the energy and maritime sectors. Today, Isoken leads DNV’s global contracts advisory function, where her focus is on transforming legal operations through smarter processes, digital tools, and resilient leadership. Isoken’s passion lies at the intersection of law, technology, and leadership. She is committed to rethinking how legal teams deliver value, championing innovation in contract management, and mentoring the next generation of legal leaders.
Isoken Aderele
Head of Group Contracts Advisory - DNV
Ramez Shamieh
Managing Partner at Shamieh Law, PLLC
Ramez F. Shamieh is a premier trial lawyer licensed in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New York. Founder of Shamieh Law, he specializes in catastrophic injury, 18-wheeler collisions, wrongful death, and personal injury cases, securing millions in verdicts and settlements for clients over more than a decade. Recognized by Super Lawyers, Texas Lawyer, and D Magazine, Ramez is a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums and holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV® Preeminent™ rating. A graduate of SMU and Tulane Law, he began his career at McCathern, PLLC, representing high-profile clients including the Dallas Cowboys. Proud of his Arab heritage, Ramez has expanded Shamieh Law to offices in Dallas, Austin, Lake Charles, and Little Rock, while remaining active in legal and community organizations. His expertise has been featured by national outlets such as ESPN, CNN, ABC, Fox News, and Univision.
Ramez Shamieh
Managing Partner at Shamieh Law, PLLC
Rasha Zeyadeh
Partner, SBSB Law PLLC
Rasha Zeyadeh is a partner in SBSB’s Dallas office and a respected authority on employment law. Since joining the firm’s partnership in April 2024, she has advised and defended employers and individuals in a wide range of workplace matters, including claims involving discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, wage and hour disputes, and breach of contract. In addition to defending employment claims, Rasha counsels clients on preventative strategies, regulatory compliance, internal investigations, and the development of employee handbooks and training materials. Her experience and insight have made her a sought-after speaker, and she regularly presents on topics such as sexual harassment prevention, implicit bias, and diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
In addition to her labor and employment practice, Rasha handles a variety of litigation matters, including personal injury, catastrophic injury, premises and products liability, trucking and transportation, and commercial claims. She represents businesses and individuals through all phases of litigation and brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to resolving complex disputes.
Rasha’s work has been recognized by numerous organizations and publications, including Thomson Reuters, The National Trial Lawyers, and Voyage Dallas Magazine. She has been recognized by Lawdragon 500 as a “Leading Litigator in America” and by Lawdragon 500 X as a “Next Generation” attorney. Rasha has also been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for six consecutive years. In addition, she has been inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society comprised of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers who have been rigorously vetted for skill, expertise, and service, and who represent clients across North America and around the world.
Rasha Zeyadeh
Partner, SBSB Law PLLC
Ryan Dry
Partner at Dry Law PLLC
Ryan Dry Founding member of Dry Law PLLC, a firm with services extending across the country with a team of attorneys licensed in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Ryan’s practice focuses on the resolution of complex construction claims with an emphasis on both creativity and efficiency. Throughout his career, he has successfully obtained over $60 million in collateral orders through injunctions filed all over the South, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia.
Ryan Dry
Partner at Dry Law PLLC
Cristina Guerrero
Partner, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Cristina Guerrero is a registered patent attorney and experienced civil litigator. She has a proven track record of successful litigation and counselling in all areas of intellectual property, employment law, and commercial litigation.
Cristina works collaboratively with clients to navigate brand development and protection in various industries, including real estate, food and beverage, energy, fashion, and entertainment. She has substantial litigation experience in trademark and copyright infringement, and unfair competition claims. She also regularly counsels clients on trademark and copyright law, design patents, trade secrets, counterfeiting issues, trade dress, domain name disputes, social media and advertising, and implementing or strengthening protection measures for clients’ valuable intellectual property rights. Cristina has significant experience in prosecuting applications and oppositions for trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), responses to USPTO Office Action refusals, and administrative Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings.
Cristina has experience with a variety of commercial litigation matters, including employment disputes, non-competition agreements, interference with contracts or business relationships, breach of fiduciary duty cases, disputes over corporate management and control, contract actions, real estate transactions and lease disputes. Cristina’s employment law experience includes numerous trials, administrative and arbitration proceedings, representing management in state and Federal employment law matters involving Title VII, FLSA, FMLA, ADEA and ADA. She has prepared and presented employment law training sessions for clients and is proficient at drafting employment manuals, personnel policies, nondisclosure, non-competition, employment, consulting and severance agreements.
Cristina Guerrero
Partner, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Scott Hendler
CEO and Managing Attorney, Hendler Flores Law, PLLC
Scott Hendler founded Austin-based HendlerLaw, now Hendler Flores Law, in 1993 to pursue complex injury litigation against corporate wrongdoers. He has devoted his career to representing victims of corporate wrongdoing in the United States and abroad.
He graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, served as an editor of the Journal of Law and Commerce, and clerked for Chief Judge Robert Porter of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Hendler has spoken internationally on the use of tort law to address corporate misconduct and has represented clients in mesothelioma, defective drug and medical device, nursing home abuse, dram shop, and other high-value injury cases. His international work has included representing children exposed to toxic shoe glue in Guatemala, Honduras, an El Salvador, plantation workers from Central and South America harmed by exposure to a banned pesticide, and a Dutch music industry executive’s family in a wrongful death case.
He has won unanimous decisions in the Ninth Circuit, the Third Circuit sitting en banc, the United States Supreme Court, and the Delaware and Hawaii Supreme Courts.
Scott lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and law partner, Lulu Flores, and their two cats who he calls “the Tasmanian Terrors.”
Scott Hendler
CEO and Managing Attorney, Hendler Flores Law, PLLC
Jas Jordan
Founding Partner of The Law Office of Jas Jordan
Jas Jordan is the Founding Partner of The Law Office of Jas Jordan, where he leads a team of experienced legal professionals dedicated to providing unparalleled legal representation to clients. Jas has a proven track record of success and has established himself as a formidable force in the legal community.
Jas’s educational background is impressive. He graduated with the highest honors, summa cum laude, from both The University of Alabama in 2015 and Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2018. Jas is known for his strong work ethic, attention to detail, and exceptional analytical skills. He then pursued an LLM in Intellectual Property at The University of Houston, where he continued to demonstrate his commitment to excellence and a thirst for knowledge.
Prior to founding his own law firm, Jas worked at several national and international law firms where he defended insurance companies against injured parties. His experience as a defense counsel has provided him with a unique perspective on how to anticipate legal hurdles and battles that a case may face. Jas knows how to build a compelling case that is designed to maximize results and is committed to securing the best possible outcome for his clients.
Jas is a trusted legal professional who is dedicated to helping clients with their personal injury needs. His legal expertise combined with his passionate advocacy for his clients has earned him a reputation as one of the most sought-after personal injury attorneys in the area.
If you are in need of legal representation for a personal injury case, Jas and his team are here to help. Contact The Law Office of Jas Jordan today to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your legal goals.
Jas Jordan
Founding Partner of The Law Office of Jas Jordan
Christian A. Garza
Co-Founder, Litigate AI LLC
Christian A. Garza has held prominent positions as either General Counsel or Senior Legal Counsel at several leading corporations. Most recently, he served as Senior Counsel at Enterprise Products in Houston. With an extensive career spanning eighteen years as in-house counsel, Garza began his legal journey at the Houston office of King & Spalding LLP. His exemplary legal work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Houston Business Journal’s Best Corporate Counsel Award. Moreover, his team at Cosentino North America was awarded for Outstanding Corporate Compliance. Garza has demonstrated his leadership abilities through various roles, such as Chairman of the Board of the Houston Bar Foundation and President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston. His contributions to the field have been highlighted in publications like Texas Lawyer, The Legal 500, and Hispanic Executive. Garza is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Yale Law School.
Christian A. Garza
Co-Founder, Litigate AI LLC
Darren Miller
Founding Partner at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC
Darren was born in London, England and moved to the United States at age ten. The son of Jamaican immigrants who worked their way through college, he grew up with a strong belief in education, opportunity, and hard work.
He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Texas A&M University, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, and his law degree from Texas Southern University.
While in law school, Darren worked on mass tort cases involving psychiatric fraud, where he saw firsthand how the legal system can be used to hold powerful institutions accountable and seek justice for victims.
Today, Darren focuses his practice on complex litigation and mass torts, advocating for individuals and families harmed by corporate misconduct and working to drive meaningful change through the law.
Darren Miller
Founding Partner at D. Miller & Associates, PLLC
Adam Blake
Founder & Attorney, Blake Law, PLLC
Blake Law’s founder and lead attorney, Adam J. Blake, is an experienced trial attorney and award-winning legal advocate, committed to providing personalized, results-driven legal representation for clients injured by the negligence of others. With years of experience as a trial-tested litigator, Adam has successfully handled hundreds of personal injury cases, recovering more than $90 Million for his clients.
Known for his natural confidence in court and deep understanding of Texas personal injury law, Adam has built a reputation for a relentless pursuit of justice for his clients. His achievements in the courtroom, dedication to his clients, and successful jury verdicts and negotiation skills have earned Adam significant recognition in the legal community.
Adam Blake
Founder & Attorney, Blake Law, PLLC
Jamie Cooper
Partner at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, LLP
Jamie Cooper is a partner at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, LLP, focusing on insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. She leads the firm’s San Antonio office. She represents insurers in complex disputes nationwide and is board certified in Insurance Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is a member of the Insurance Law Certification Commission for the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her professional affiliations include San Antonio Bar Association, DRI, CLM, ACCC, and the founder of Women in Claims. Jamie regularly speaks on coverage, litigation strategy, and the evolving challenges facing insurers, and is known for her practical, real-world approach to complex legal issues.
Jamie Cooper
Partner at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom, LLP
Eric Cassidy
Partner, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
Eric Cassidy is a partner in a nearly 200-year-old boutique international arbitration firm.
His practice focuses on high stakes arbitration and cases in federal and state court for high-net worth individuals and companies. He handles both civil and white collar litigation and internal investigations, including representing clients in more than 25 investigations by the Department of Energy. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers as Tier 1 in international arbitration and SuperLawyers as the top 5% of commercial litigators.
He lives in Houston and New York City.
Eric Cassidy
Partner, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
Ryan Macleod
Trial Lawyer/Partner at Webster Vicknair MacLeod
For Ryan, being a trial lawyer is not a job; it’s a blessing, an honor, and a way to change lives for the better. Ryan has consistently worked on cases that result in multi-million dollar verdicts thanks to his dedication to getting the best results for clients.
As a lifelong resident of Texas, born in Lubbock and raised in Houston, he possesses a strong sense of small-town values coupled with big-city experience. After completing his undergraduate education at Baylor University and getting his law degree from South Texas College of Law, Ryan quickly established his reputation as an Assistant District Attorney for the State of Texas. During his time as a prosecutor, Ryan aggressively tried numerous trials to verdict. His success came because of his unyielding passion for doing what was right and holding people accountable for their wrongful actions. He uses this same drive to fight for the results that his clients need today.
While some attorneys rarely see the inside of a courtroom, Ryan made himself at home in them. He’s worked on more than 50 jury trials until they reached verdict. As a result, he earned a reputation as a lawyer who doesn’t settle and is willing to fight for the best results. While he’s a skilled negotiator, he’s never willing to back down if the other side isn’t fair.
Over the last few years, Ryan has helped obtain more than 100 settlements and verdicts greater than $1 million. Recently, he has settled cases amounting to more than $100 million for his clients. His hard work has made a significant difference for injured clients. Ryan secured an unprecedented $97 million for refinery workers injured during a fire. He also recovered $72 million for a single worker who suffered from catastrophic injuries while on the job and $25.5 million for a single worker involved in a fall from a cellular tower. Ryan’s many multi-million dollar settlements have helped regular people facing significant hardships. From oilfield disasters to trucking accidents, Ryan has been the advocate that clients deserve for a better future. Whether it’s handling complicated product liability cases, trucking collisions, offshore disasters, or defective pharmaceutical drug litigation, Ryan has a proven track record of overcoming challenges in the name of justice.
Ryan Macleod
Trial Lawyer/Partner at Webster Vicknair MacLeod
Catherine Bratic
Counsel, Hogan Lovells
Catherine Bratic is a dual-qualified US and French lawyer who helps clients navigate complex international disputes. When litigation spills across multiple jurisdictions, clients rely on Catherine’s knowledge of both civil and common law, and her experience working on both sides of the Atlantic, to develop and implement a coordinated, global strategy to get clients back to business. Catherine studied at Rice University, Columbia Law School, and the Institut d’Etudes Politiques in Paris. Before joining private practice, she worked in the legal department of a UN agency and clerked for a US federal judge. As counsel at Hogan Lovells, Catherine has achieved dozens of successful multi-million (and multi-billion) arbitral awards, settlements, and court judgments for her clients in the energy, technology, industrial, and health-care sectors.
Catherine Bratic
Counsel, Hogan Lovells
David J. “DJ” Burrus
Owner and Founder, Burrus Law Group, PLLC
When asked “what makes you different from all the other personal injury lawyers?”, DJ Burrus’ answer is simple: “I know how to talk to the people in my community and I know how to negotiate deals.” 10 years of experience doesn’t hurt either. DJ is the owner and founder of Burrus Law Group, PLLC in Houston, Texas – a role he prepared for well. A journalism major with a sales background. A dirtbike racer with the gift of gab. And a lawyer who spent the first 9 years of his career learning PI litigation – on the defense side. In that time, he put experience before pay, sought out specific leaders and mentors to learn from, and worked in different environments and cultures for perspective. In this time, DJ went from defending fender benders to fatalities, litigating catastrophic cases throughout all of Texas. He tried cases along the way, including the 2024 Texas Supreme Court case, Alberstons v Mohammadi. With his experience and the results that came with it, at just 34 years old, DJ was promoted to partner at a well-known Houston defense firm. In 2025, DJ decided to use his knowledge and experience to open Burrus Law Group, PLLC, and begin the journey of his original passion – helping people.
David J. “DJ” Burrus
Owner and Founder, Burrus Law Group, PLLC
Colleen McKnight
Founder & Trial Attorney at McKnight Law PLLC
Colleen McKnight is a first-chair trial lawyer with over 15 years of experience representing businesses, executives, and entrepreneurs in high-stakes commercial disputes across state court, federal court, and arbitration. She works with clients to protect their intellectual property, trade secrets, and business interests through strategic legal planning and, when necessary, aggressive litigation. With a trial-ready approach from day one, Colleen develops the evidence and strategy needed to position her clients for the strongest possible outcome. She is known for delivering practical, business-focused advice that resolves disputes efficiently while minimizing future risk, and her practice spans industries including energy, healthcare, and emerging businesses. Prior to founding McKnight Law PLLC, she practiced at Hogan Lovells and Foley & Lardner, where she handled complex commercial litigation matters.
Colleen McKnight
Founder & Trial Attorney at McKnight Law PLLC
Chloe Corbett
Managing Partner at Corbett & Corbett LLP
Chloe Corbett, Esq. is a Texas-based trial attorney whose practice focuses on personal injury, civil rights, and family law. With nearly a decade of legal experience, she brings a strategic, client-centered approach to every stage of a case, from initial intake through resolution.
Ms. Corbett began her legal career as a municipal prosecutor with the Dallas City Attorney’s Office, where she developed strong courtroom skills and a solid foundation in litigation. She now practices alongside her father, Augustus Corbett, at Corbett & Corbett LLP, where she continues to deliver results-driven representation for her clients in the areas of personal injury, civil rights, family, and criminal defense. She is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Her personal injury practice includes handling matters from pre-suit through litigation, with experience in medical record development, negotiation strategy, and case positioning aimed at maximizing client recovery while maintaining efficient and ethical case management.
She currently serves as Chair of the African American Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Texas, where she supports initiatives focused on professional development and equity within the legal profession. Ms. Corbett is also the co-founder of the Lazarus Law and Justice Project, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing justice and addressing systemic inequities.
Chloe Corbett
Managing Partner at Corbett & Corbett LLP
Michael Hawash
Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center
Michael A. Hawash is the founder of Hawash Houston Mediation in Houston, Texas. Over a litigation career spanning thirty years, Michael represented many of the world’s largest corporations and insurance companies. Today, Michael is a mediator, arbitrator, and early dispute resolution neutral, committed to helping disputants avoid the time, expense, and uncertainties of the courthouse. He currently serves as Chair of the ADR Section of the Houston Bar Association and as a board member of the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. A longstanding proponent of early dispute resolution, Michael helped draft the Early Dispute Resolution Protocols, serves as a trustee of the EDR Institute, and has served on numerous Committees on Early Dispute Resolution for the American Bar Association and Houston Bar Association. Michael is a commercial and construction industry panel arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association and a frequent lecturer nationwide on various ADR topics. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center, where he teaches classes on legal negotiation, litigation risk analysis, and alternative dispute resolution.
Michael Hawash
Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center
Jenny Speck
Partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Jenny Speck advises clients on the qualification, structuring, and monetization of energy transition tax incentives. She has experience across a broad range of projects, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, combined heat and power, biogas, carbon capture, hydrogen, and clean fuel credit initiatives.
Jenny has firsthand knowledge of the carbon capture industry from her time as senior manager of tax and regulatory compliance at Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC (April 2022–October 2023), where she led all aspects of tax qualification, utilization, and reporting for federal energy tax credits. She also served as Navigator’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Energy and was selected as an independent Merit Reviewer for the Department of Energy’s loan programs supporting carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.
In addition, Jenny advises on a range of transactional matters, including tax credit sales and purchases, joint ventures, financings, and other complex commercial arrangements.
Jenny Speck
Partner, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Laura D. Dale
Managing Partner,Laura Dale & Associates, P.C.
Laura Dale is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Her practice is concentrated in family law involving high conflict divorce, high net worth property division, both domestic and foreign, property valuation, custody cases, international child abduction brought under The Hague Convention and complex multi-jurisdictional family law disputes. Ms. Dale is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a former USA Delegate on the Board of Governors of the organization. She also fomerly serves as Co-Chair of the USA Chapter Hague Committee, and as Chair of Hague Subcommittee on the International Protection of Children. She is fluent in French and provides support services in Spanish.
Laura is a certified mediator, a certified collaborative law attorney, and a certified parenting coordinator under the Texas parenting coordinator statute. She received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law and is licensed by the Texas Supreme Court, and admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Texas Eastern District Court, the Texas Northern District Court, the Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court, the Texas Western Bankruptcy Court, and the Texas Western District Court.
Laura D. Dale
Managing Partner,Laura Dale & Associates, P.C.
Mani S. Walia
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Signal Peak Partners LLC
Mr. Walia serves as a co-founder and managing partner of Signal Peak Partners. Before co-founding Signal Peak with Ms. Harrison, Mr. Walia founded the litigation finance group at the investment firm Siltstone Capital, where his work earned him Texas Law Book’s award for Legal Innovation in 2022. Mr. Walia is a co-author of the 6th edition of ALM’s treatise on litigation funding.
Prior to his litigation finance work, Mr. Walia was a trial lawyer at Susman Godfrey, the nation’s leading commercial litigation firm – and the nation’s original litigation funder. Mr. Walia is guided by the principles of his mentor Stephen D. Susman. Mr. Walia also practiced law at Kirkland & Ellis and Baker Botts.
Mr. Walia graduated from The University of Texas with honors. He earned his law degree at The University of Texas School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Texas Law Review. Mr. Walia was a law clerk to Judge Jane R. Roth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and to Chief Judge Hayden W. Head of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. During his clerkship on the Third Circuit, Mr. Walia taught law as an adjunct professor at Delaware Law School.
Mr. Walia has published legal scholarship in the Drake Law Review, St. John’s Law Review, and the Journal for Appellate Practice (co-author Judge Jane R. Roth). Mr. Walia recently has presented on litigation funding at the UH Law Center, the Center for Dispute Resolution, the Institute for Energy Law, and LitFinCon.
Outside of work, Mr. Walia is a competitive runner, earning top placements for his age group in over 10 races. He also enjoys trivia, coaching a middle-school cross-country team, and traveling with his wife and three children.
Mani S. Walia
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Signal Peak Partners LLC
Abraham Chang
Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Abraham Chang is a partner in the Houston office, where his practice focuses on antitrust and complex commercial litigation. He represents clients in the high-tech, energy, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in high-stakes litigation from pre-suit negotiations through trial. He also guides clients through conduct and merger investigations by the FTC, DOJ, and state attorneys general.
Abraham Chang
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Signal Peak Partners LLC
David C. Lawrence
Partner, Rigby Slack Lawrence Pepper + Comerford PLLC
David is a trial lawyer who focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation with a focus on disputes concerning business issues, contracts, partnerships, intellectual property, real estate, construction, securities, employment and other business-related disputes.
David’s clients turn to him regularly to help resolve their most important legal issues and frequently commend him for his responsiveness, pragmatism and focus on solutions.
Before co-founding Rigby Slack, David practiced for thirteen years with Akin Gump, LLP and as a shareholder with Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
David graduated with honors from both the University of Texas McCombs School of Business with a BBA in Finance (1999) and from The University of Texas School of Law (2003). David is Barrister in the Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
David has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thompson Reuters each year between 2021-2026.
David C. Lawrence
Partner, Rigby Slack Lawrence Pepper + Comerford PLLC
Chanler A. Langham
Partner, Susman Godfrey LLP
Chanler Langham is a trial lawyer that makes complex business matters easy to understand for judges and juries, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in class action, mass action, oil and gas, and patent cases. Recently, Langham secured a $21 million class action settlement from Cengage Publishing on behalf of textbook authors, won a take-nothing jury verdict for Globus Medical in a patent case seeking $86 million for expandable spinal implants, represented Benham Constructors in a $400 million construction dispute, and represents Chevron in multiple climate change cases across the nation. In 2025, Forbes recognized Langham among “America’s Top 250 Lawyers” and Lawdragon 500 named Langham a “Leading Litigator” and “Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyer.” Langham also serves as a Trustee for Huston-Tillotson University and is a member of the HISD District Advisory Council. Langham clerked for Vanessa D. Gilmore in SDTX and attended Columba Law School.
Chanler A. Langham
Partner, Susman Godfrey LLP
Sergio V. Leal
Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer for the University of Houston System
Sergio V. Leal is Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer for the University of Houston System, where he leads enterprise-wide compliance, investigations, and reporting programs across multiple campuses. He is also the founder of Leal PLLC, a boutique law firm focused on corporate compliance, internal investigations, and risk management.
Sergio has held senior compliance leadership roles at multinational publicly traded companies, guiding organizations through DOJ- and SEC-appointed monitorships and managing high-stakes internal investigations and crisis response matters across more than 100 countries. His experience includes building whistleblower reporting systems, overseeing complex investigations, and advising boards and executive teams during sensitive regulatory and reputational events.
In his practice, Sergio works with companies when something has gone wrong or might have. He helps leadership teams get the facts quickly to make clear decisions without overcomplicating the process, and he advises on building compliance programs that reduce the risk of issues arising in the first place. He’s known for being practical, steady, and easy to work with when the stakes are high.
Sergio V. Leal
Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer for the University of Houston System
William (“Bill”) Jones
Managing Partner, Green Klein Wood & Jones
William (“Bill”) Jones is a trial attorney who has spent his legal career representing plaintiffs in first-party insurance litigation, personal injury cases, medical and pharmaceutical products liability cases, commercial, construction, and environmental litigation matters. At Green, Klein, Wood & Jones, Bill serves as Managing Partner and focuses exclusively on property & casualty related insured losses.
Bill’s extensive experience with first-party and bad faith insurance litigation makes him one of the leading first-party insurance plaintiff lawyers in Texas. Bill has litigated and settled over a thousand insurance claims and lawsuits for property owners whose claims were wrongfully handled by their insurance companies. After Hurricane Harvey, Bill handled and continues to handle numerous claims along the Texas Gulf Coast relating to Hurricane Harvey damage. He has represented homeowners, small businesses, condominium associations, and large commercial property owners of all types.
Recently, Bill was one of the lead trial lawyers that obtained a historic $2.7 million verdict against Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, for his client’s claim for Hurricane Harvey damage which has been fully denied. The jury returned a verdict awarding damage to repair the client’s property and awarding additional damages after determining that TWIA intentionally and knowingly mishandled the claim to the client’s detriment.
William (“Bill”) Jones
Managing Partner, Green Klein Wood & Jones
Jeff Tillotson
Founder, Partner, Tillotson Johnson, and Patton
Jeff Tillotson
Founder, Partner, Tillotson Johnson, and Patton
Matt Bell
Founder, TradeCompliance.Software
After 15+ years as a consultant, chief compliance officer, and legal counsel working on some of the largest enforcement cases in history, Matt is now enjoying a semi-retired life as a recovering lawyer & consultant working to help companies identify and understand their options in the trade compliance software space – especially in the world of AI. His new venture TradeCompliance.Software allows users to comparison shop, review, and research nearly 200 different trade compliance software and data providers.
