Texas

Firm overview

Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the country’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States..

Commercial Litigation: Akerman offers a leading trial team that includes litigators across the United States. We represent a diverse range of clients across numerous sectors, with particular strength in the financial services, private equity, insurance, real estate, construction, health and life sciences, and energy sectors. Akerman lawyers regularly appear before judges and arbitrators in class actions, securities, white-collar, fraud and recovery, product liability, intellectual property, employment, bankruptcy, and general business matters.

Appellate: With a bench that includes many former appellate and trial court judges, Akerman’s appellate practice is a national powerhouse with demonstrated success in handling appeals related to complex commercial litigation. Akerman's appellate team frequently assist trial lawyers during all phases of litigation, preserving errors for appeal, drafting motions and responses, and providing strategic advice on the best approach for seeking relief on appeal. They handle numerous matters before appellate courts nationwide in various commercial cases and class actions. We also have experience in administrative appeals involving high profile issues before state agencies. Additionally, Akerman's appellate lawyers represent industry associations as amicus curiae in appellate proceedings when our clients are not a party to an appeal but have a substantial interest in the outcome.

International Litigation & Arbitration: Akerman has a long record of accomplishment in resolving complex multijurisdictional disputes. Our team represents multinational, foreign, and domestic corporations and individuals before U.S. federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings before a wide range of international arbitral bodies in multiple jurisdictions. Akerman litigators help clients successfully address conflicts in a broad range of sectors, including general commercial disputes, power and energy, construction and engineering, and banking and finance, among many others. Our highly responsive, multilingual team works in tandem with experienced local counsel to provide seamless resolution to disputes throughout Latin America, as well as in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.

Employment Litigation: Akerman’s national, multidisciplinary team helps clients navigate claims brought before state and federal agencies and boards as well as trial and appellate courts throughout the United States. Our lawyers regularly defend employers in all types of employment litigation, including complex class-action discrimination cases and collective action wage and hour matters. We also represent employers in connection with administrative charges and audits, and have successfully negotiated and supervised numerous settlements with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Updated Sep 2024

Firm overview

With a history of success spanning more than four decades, Bell Nunnally stands out as one of the most respected business law firms in Texas and is among the largest in North Texas by attorney head count. The firm’s profound legal knowledge and extensive experience set it apart, solidifying its reputation as Behind Every Great Company™. A member of the global law firm network Legalink, Bell Nunnally offers a comprehensive range of services, including litigation, appellate law, commercial finance, corporate and securities, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, health law, intellectual property, labor and employment, immigration, real estate, entertainment, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, tax, and white-collar criminal defense. Recipient of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) “Compass Award,” featured as one of Law.com’s “Mid-Market Pro 50,” and a multi-year honoree among the Dallas Morning News’ “Top Workplaces,” Bell Nunnally continues to be recognized for its commitment to diversity and excellence.

Litigation Overview: Bell Nunnally litigators aggressively represent clients across many industries, always driven to achieve our clients’ goals and protect their interests. We have represented some of the largest corporations in America, as well as local businesses, government entities and individuals. Our practice encompasses all aspects of the litigation process, from pretrial matters through trial and all levels of appeal in state and federal courts. We also routinely represent clients in arbitral forums and before regulatory bodies. In addition to litigating individual matters, we have served as regional coordinating counsel for Fortune 500 companies and as de facto national counsel for clients. Not only are we skilled in trials and appeals, we also have a demonstrated record of resolving lawsuits favorably for our clients prior to trial. We have won numerous cases involving a wide variety of commercial issues and are well versed in complex litigation. Virtually no area of civil litigation is beyond our capabilities.

In every lawsuit, we strive to discover the strengths of our clients’ positions and uncover and capitalize on the weaknesses of the opposition. We understand that not all cases are destined for trial, so we evaluate creative solutions to disputes early and often to further our clients’ objectives. As experienced business litigators, we help clients evaluate litigation risks and develop a settlement strategy from the outset of a case when appropriate. Our litigators are seasoned, tough negotiators who guide our clients through settlement discussions from a position of strength. When a reasonable settlement is not possible, we aggressively represent our clients through trial — we are more than litigators; we are trial lawyers.

Our attorneys understand that client relationships extend beyond a single case, so we tailor each litigation plan to achieve our clients’ overall business objectives. We take our clients’ budgets into account, staffing cases leanly and making use of experiences to achieve cost effective solutions. 

Litigation Highlights:

• Represented a Fortune 1000 Corporation in significant litigation in statecourt in Gwinnett County, Ga. and several other jurisdictions, along with parallel FINRA arbitration proceedings, which focused on protecting the company’s confidential
  information and enforcing contractual covenants against several former sales representatives. In furtherance of that complex litigation, the Bell Nunnally team took over thirty depositions across five states and filed hundreds of pages of motions, supporting legal briefs and proposed findings to present its clients’ claims. The matter reached a successful resolution that included long-term protections for the client’s rights.
• Secured a favorable settlement for Sperlonga Data & Analytics Systems LLC in a $30 million breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets dispute. 
• Secured a unanimous jury verdict in a patent infringement case in favor of Odessa Separator, Inc., a Texas-based manufacturer of award-winning downhole sand and gas separation products that are used in oil wells throughout the world. Plaintiff sought damages in excess of $2 million.
• Obtained a favorable settlement for Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee, R Wings R Wild LLC (RWRW) in a $3 million class action dispute with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The central claim brought against RWRW, the owner/operator of over twenty Buffalo Wild Wings franchise locations, stemmed from a male bartender who alleged that in 2014 he applied for and was denied employment due to his gender. RWRW agreed to a nominal monetary
  settlement, a fraction of the total amount initially sought by the Commission, and it agreed to conduct sex discrimination training at its locations to demonstrate its continuing commitment to providing equal employment opportunities for all.
• Represented AMLI Residential and its affiliated entities in six-year lawsuit over the sale of a luxury apartment complex. After serving as co-trial counsel during two-week jury trial, sercured a unanimous verdict in favor of AMLI on the plaintiffs’ $38 million in claims and was awarded $5.8 million in attorneys’ fees.
• Secured a $3.5 million settlement on behalf of a defrauded client investor in a FINRA arbitration against two national FINRA broker dealers. The case centered on a multi-year Ponzi scheme perpetrated by the client’s financial adviser who was also the registered representative of the respondent FINRA broker dealers. After four years of litigation, including numerous delays due to COVID, the parties reached a settlement one week before the final arbitration hearing. 
• Secured a complete defense victory on behalf of three departing partners of a national public accounting firm against allegations of trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty and violations of non-compete agreements. Plaintiffs sought approx. $10 million in damages After a five-day final hearing, the arbitrator denied all requested relief – including a request to cancel the firm’s future payment obligations to the departed partners – and entered a take-nothing judgment in favor of Bell Nunnally’s clients. The arbitrator also substantially reformed and narrowed the restrictive covenants in response to arguments and defenses under the Texas Covenants Not to Compete Act.

Noteworthy:

• 17 Bell Nunnally Attorneys Named to “Ones to Watch” by The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
• 24 Bell Nunnally Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
• Bell Nunnally Named to “Best Law Firms” List (published by Best Lawyers and featured in U.S. News and World Reports) in 13 Practice Areas
• 12 Bell Nunnally Attorneys Named to Texas Super Lawyers 2024 List
• 13 Bell Nunnally Attorneys Named to “2024 Texas Rising Stars” List Published by Super Lawyers
• 3 Bell Nunnally Partners Featured on D Magazine’s 2024 “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” List
• D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas 2024” List Featured 10 Bell Nunnally Attorneys
• Firm ranked in Labor & Employment and Litigation: General Commercial in Chambers USA
• Partner Alana Ackels Ranked in L&E in Chambers USA
• Partner Trey DeLoach Ranked in Commercial Finance in Chambers USA
• Partners Christopher Trowbridge and Kartik Singapura Ranked in Litigation: General Commercial in Chambers USA
• Named to Vault Law's “Best Midsize Law Firms in Texas” and “Top 150 Under 150” lists
• Ranked on Law.com’s “2023 Mid-Market Pro 50” List

Updated Sep 2024

Firm overview

For Stanton LLP, results begin with relationships. The firm’s relationships are forged based on deep understanding, earned trust, and unwavering authenticity. They focus on creating bonds that span from the boardroom to the courtroom and beyond.

The firm boasts attorneys who have practiced law in Europe, Asia, and Australia; former state district court judges; a former Dallas County District Attorney; a former Dallas City Council member; and ten attorneys who have served as law clerks, including for the United States Court of Appeals, United States District Courts, and Texas Courts.


While the lawyers at Stanton LLP can support you in any dispute, they are best utilized on the toughest, most complex cases. They view themselves as legal special forces. They are a “go to” when clients or their current counsel need a fresh new approach, building a reputation for rescuing difficult cases and delivering results.


Business Disputes and Commercial Litigation: Litigation introduces uncertainty, risk, and distraction. Stanton LLP works to craft a legal strategy aligned with their client’s corporate values and objectives. Stanton LLP lawyers are adept at translating complex facts into clear trial strategies, persuasive arguments, and captivating stories so clients can concentrate on running their business, not their lawsuit.

Employment: Information is power, and employment litigation often centers on claims that departing executives have misappropriated trade secrets, intellectual property and confidential information. Clients rely on Stanton LLP for creative and strategic solutions because of their lawyers’ experience litigating conflicts over fiduciary duties, non-competition agreements, and business defamation. The goal of Stanton LLP is to help prevent litigation before it happens by taking the time to understand their clients’ business, reviewing current practices for potential liabilities, and crafting customized workforce policies and procedures.

Professional Reputation and Liability: Reputation is everything. For clients in public life, their standing in the community is priceless. Whether it is a company, C-suite executive, doctor, lawyer, or elected official, Stanton LLP’s lawyers are experienced at defending the character and integrity of clients at the courthouse, before government agencies and, more importantly, in the court of public opinion.

Firm overview

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a global law firm with more than 3,500 attorneys representing clients in private equity, M&A and other complex corporate transactions, litigation and dispute resolution/arbitration, restructuring, and intellectual property matters. The Firm has offices in 20 cities around the world: Austin, Bay Area, Beijing, Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Dallas, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Munich, New York, Paris, Riyadh, Salt Lake City, Shanghai and Washington, D.C.

Litigation:
Kirkland & Ellis is renowned for its experience in complex litigation and arbitration. The Firm believes that the best litigation results occur when the lawyers are fully prepared to try the case through verdict. Because of Kirkland’s trial-ready philosophy and training, the Firm is able to offer clients a deep bench of lawyers who have been taking cases to verdict since the early stages of their careers. Whether in the courtroom, at the bargaining table or helping clients avoid risks without litigation, Kirkland has a long and proven track record of generating successful results for clients in their most high-stakes cases matters.

The Litigation Practice Group comprises approximately 625 attorneys throughout the firm’s worldwide offices. Kirkland represents clients in trial and appellate courts at the federal and state level, before administrative tribunals, and in arbitrations and other dispute resolution proceedings. The Firm also represents clients in connection with proceedings involving government agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, US Attorneys General Offices, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the New York Stock Exchange, the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the US Patent and Trademark Office, the US Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.

Kirkland litigators have successfully litigated cases in virtually every substantive area and business segment including accountant liability, antitrust and competition, appellate, class action, mass tort and toxic tort, insurance, data privacy, labor and employment, breach of contract and securities litigation.

Kirkland has been recognized by clients and the media for its achievements in litigation:

• For the 13th time, Kirkland was selected as one of the “Fearsome Foursome” in BTI Consulting’s 2024 Litigation Outlook report.
• Chambers & Partners named Kirkland & Ellis “Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year” at the 2023 Chambers USA Awards.
• In 2023, Kirkland ranked #1 in The Lawyer’s “Global Litigation Top 50,” the sixth consecutive year the Firm earned that distinction.
• Kirkland was named “Law Firm of the Year” for Commercial Litigation by U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers in their 2022 “Best Law Firms” rankings.

Intellectual Property Litigation:
Kirkland & Ellis’ Intellectual Property Practice Group is one of the oldest such practices in a full-service firm in the country, having been an integral part of Kirkland since 1925. Kirkland has approximately 200 intellectual property lawyers who are experienced in a variety of technical disciplines and registered to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office. More than 70 percent of the lawyers are engineers and scientists trained with degrees and professional backgrounds in technical areas. Kirkland has one of the most respected intellectual property litigation practices in the country, with particular experience in large-scale patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret misappropriation and advertising matters. The work of the group frequently extends to antitrust, securities/compliance, products liability and appellate matters. Kirkland’s experience in venues where IP cases are most often litigated is extensive. The Firm tries cases before juries, judges and arbitrators in venues across the country including state courts, district courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the International Trade Commission and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Kirkland has one of the most active trial practices in the country. Our success rate at trial is among the best, with only a few of losses over the last 10 years despite handling some of the most challenging litigation cases in history.

The Intellectual Property Practice Group has been recognized by numerous publications for its achievements:

• In Managing Intellectual Property’s 2024 IP Stars, Kirkland was named as a Tier 1 firm for Copyright, ITC, Life Sciences, Patent Contentious and Trademark Contentious and was recognized in the U.S. for IP transactions and PTAB litigation.
• Kirkland was named to World Trademark Review magazine’s 2024 WTR 1000
list of the world’s top trademark law firms and was recognized as a Tier 1 firm for enforcement and litigation nationally and in New York.
• In 2024, Intellectual Asset Management (IAM) magazine recognized Kirkland in Tier 1 for Litigation, International Trade Commission and Trade Secrets for United States -National in its IAM Patent 1000 guide. The firm was also Tier 1 for Litigation in Illinois, New York and Washington, D.C., as well as Transactions in Illinois.
• World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR) recognized Kirkland & Ellis as a Tier 1 firm in its 2022 “Global Trade Secrets Rankings.”

Please visit our website at www.kirkland.com for additional information about Kirkland and office contact information.

Updated July 2024