C. Larry Carbo III

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

Melanie R. Cheairs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Melanie R., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melanie R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff is a Board Certified labor and employment law specialist who represents management in matters involving all areas affecting the employment relationship. Jeff has successfully handled cases relating to race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and disability discrimination, harassment and retaliation in state and federal courts across the country, as well litigation involving employee leave, wage and hour, non-competition and trade secret, and employment-related torts....

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

Allan Bullwinkel’s practice focuses on patent litigation related to computer and electrical engineering technologies in federal district courts and inter partes review at the U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board. He also handles cases involving patent-related antitrust litigation and IP-related appeals before the Federal Circuit. With an engineering degree and many years of prior work experience as an engineer, Mr. Bullwinkel brings a robust understanding of technical issues and an abilit...

John M. Ransom II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Collaborative Law: Family Law and Trusts and Estates. John M., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael A. Orlando, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Michael A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Merkley is a board-certified trial lawyer and Co-Chair of the firm’s litigation group and trial team. He is frequently retained in high-profile catastrophic accident cases to assume the defense or to navigate through complicated discovery issues leading to trial. He has tried dozens of cases to verdict and has been involved in several record-setting settlements for companies seeking to avoid the publicity of a jury trial. David is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates ...

Russ has briefed and argued dozens of appeals, appearing before the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas intermediate appellate courts, the Fifth and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. He has assisted in or handled all phases of litigation in a wide variety of matters, including products liability, catastrophic personal injury, intellectual property, insurance coverage, employment discrimination, and commercial lawsuits. Before joining the firm, Russ s...

M&A attorney with 49+ years of experience counseling clients in buying, selling, merging and dividing businesses, business taxation, and business planning. Practice includes structuring, negotiating, managing and documenting all types of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, family business planning, tax-free reorganizations, corporate divisions, acquisitions and dispositions involving ESOPs, private equity transactions, partnership and limited liabil...