Ms. Barnes is a graduate of The College of William and Mary (B.S. 1975), where she graduated with Highest Honors in Chemistry; Yale University (M.S. 1977); and Georgetown University Law Center (1981), where she was a Law Fellow and an Editor of The Tax Lawyer Law Journal. Ms. Barnes began her legal career with the Houston law firm of Butler & Binion, where she was a partner in the trial section. Her principal areas of practice include litigation and arbitration of complex commercial disputes and appeals from state and federal court judgments. Ms. Barnes is admitted to practice before all Texas state courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Mr. Boyer received his Juris Doctorate in 1979 from Southern Methodist University after obtaining his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics with honors, from the University of Chicago in 1976. He began his career with the Houston law firm of Childs, Fortenbach, Beck & Guyton, where he obtained partner status in 1986. Mr. Boyer’s principal areas of practice include securities law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate securities law.

Mr. Bryant is a graduate of the University of North Texas (B.A. Psychology, 1977) and the South Texas College of Law (J.D. 1980). Mr. Bryant is admitted to practice in the State of Texas before all state courts, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Mr. Bryant is a member of the Houston Bar Association, American Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. Mr. Bryant’s principal areas of practice include litigation of complex commercial and business disputes including FINRA disputes.

Mr. Heller is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1974) and of the University of Houston Law Center (J.D., 1977). He is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Commercial Real Estate Law and Residential Real Estate Law. He has over 30 years of experience in private practice in Houston as a commercial real estate attorney representing numerous clients in a variety of diverse and often complex real estate transactions. His clients include owners of income producing properties who need assistance with acquisitions, sales, leasing, financing, restructuring and general commercial representation, as well as general business and corporate clients who appreciate his attention to detail. He has also closed numerous FHA/HUD insured commercial loan transactions as the borrower’s counsel on both multifamily and assisted living properties. He has been a speaker at commercial real estate seminars for many years. He has been a member of the Firm since 2004.

Mr. Jacobs is a cum laude graduate of Tulane University, and is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Jacobs received his Juris Doctorate in 1976 from the University of Houston Law School. Following two years of general civil practice, Mr. Jacobs attended Georgetown University where he received a Master of Laws in Taxation in 1980. Since that time, he has been practicing in the tax area with emphasis on corporate and partnership taxation and estate planning.

Ms. Kergosien was awarded her Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law in 2000, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1991 from the University of Houston, majoring in Political Science. Ms. Kergosien joined the firm in June of 2002 after working in the tax department of AIG-American General. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, The College of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association. Ms. Kergosien is also certified by the State Bar of Texas to be appointed attorney ad item in guardianship proceedings. Ms. Kergosien is admitted to practice before all Texas state courts and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Ms. Kergosien has extensive practice in the litigation of complex commercial disputes, business disputes, tax controversies, litigation relating to trusts and estates, and estate and guardianship administration.

Mr. Menger received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University (1985) and Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from University of Maryland School of Law (1994). Mr. Menger joined the firm in October 2007. From 1999 through September 2007, Mr. Menger served as Vice President and General Counsel of WCA Waste Corporation and its affiliated companies, managing all legal services for WCA from its inception through its initial public offering and beyond. He began his career with the firm of Short & Ketchand, L.L.P. where he was named partner in 1997. Mr. Menger’s principal areas of practice include mergers and acquisitions, assisting businesses with regulatory and investigative matters, and general representation of business clients.

Mr. Piper is a graduate of Davidson College (A.B., cum laude, 1979) and University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 1982). Mr. Piper has practiced law in Houston since 1982. He has extensive practice in business formation, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, debt and equity financings, and technology matters. Mr. Piper joined the firm in October 2003. His areas of practice include a wide range of general business related legal matters, including contract review and employment issues.

Mr. Short is a graduate of the University of Texas (B.A., 1968) and a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1971) where he was a member of the Texas Law Review. From 1972 to the spring of 1984, Mr. Short was with the Houston law firm of Foreman Dyess. Foreman and Dyess dissolved at that time and he joined Webster & Sheffield in the Houston office in late 1984. Mr. Short formed Short & Ketchand, L.L.P. with Robert L. Ketchand in January 1992. In February 2001 Mr. Short joined the firm. Mr. Short practices real estate, business and commercial law.