Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 12 attorneys to the firm’s partnership. On Friday, February 7, 2025, the following attorneys were named partners:

“This year’s class of partners consists of great lawyers and better people who will continue to drive our firm forward. Their commitment to excellence is truly commendable, and we are proud to welcome them into the partnership,” said Firmwide Managing Partner Wade Cooper. “Their talent and dedication to client service have been an instrumental part of the growth that has led to Jackson Walker becoming the largest law firm in Texas. We are excited to celebrate this next generation of legal talent.”

Meet Our Newly Elected Partners

Alisha Mehta Adams

Alisha Mehta Adams routinely counsels clients on regulatory matters and complex environmental matters, helping clients identify environmental risks, navigating the permitting process, and assisting with issues before the Public Utility Commission of Texas, including rate cases, transmission line projects, and compliance matters. She represents a diverse set of clients, including commercial and residential real estate developers, electric utilities and cooperatives, and water utility districts.

“Alisha is an exceptional team player, hard worker, and quick study. She eagerly volunteers for recruiting and mentoring assignments and, of course, knows pretty much everyone in the firm. My clients have total confidence in her work, and I am happy to get her in front of them at every opportunity,” said Austin partner Leonard Dougal.

In recognition of her practice, Alisha has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. She obtained her B.A. from the Barnard College of Columbia University and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

Vienna Flores Anaya

Vienna Flores Anaya serves as an advisor to debtors, creditors’ committees, bankruptcy trustees, financial institutions, and other unsecured creditors in all aspects of bankruptcy cases. She has served as counsel to clients throughout a variety of industries, including healthcare, retail, hospitality, and oil and gas.

Dallas partner Mike Held stated, “Vienna is a leader with whom other lawyers and clients want to work. She’s diligent, creative, and reliable, and is always thinking at least one step ahead.”

In recognition of her practice, Vienna has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers, and among the Best Lawyers Under 40 by D Magazine. She obtained her B.B.A. from Texas A&M University and her J.D., cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law.

Meredith Brewster

Meredith Brewster represents clients in an array of real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, and the development and redevelopment of real property from all asset classes. Meredith also assists in the representation of global private equity firms in the acquisition of large-scale commercial real estate portfolios with an emphasis on national title, survey, and zoning diligence analysis with an eye toward a practical, curative approach.

“Meredith is one of the best I’ve ever seen at processing large volumes of information about a transaction and then producing legal documents that are spot-on. Her work quality is second to none, absolutely outstanding,” stated Dallas partner Brad Lowry, head of Jackson Walker’s Real Estate practice group.

In recognition of her practice, Meredith has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. She obtained her B.A., summa cum laude, from Wake Forest University and her J.D., summa cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law.

Brady J. Cox

Brady J. Cox has broad experience advising on the tax implications of M&A, partnerships, corporate reorganizations, equity and incentive compensation, like-kind property exchanges, private equity, and asset divisions arising from marital dissolution and estate administration. Brady places particular emphasis on international tax planning and cross-border transactions.

“Brady Cox is a man of impeccable character who has an incredible work ethic. He has an unwavering commitment to his faith, family, and his work. He is a problem solver, and his quiet perseverance through difficult projects inspires confidence from clients. His masterful, deep, and insightful thinking is evident in his exceptional work for clients,” stated Dallas partner Willie Hornberger.

He received his B.S., cum laude, from Utah State University, his J.D., summa cum laude, from Pepperdine University School of Law, and his LL.M. from New York University School of Law.

Alyca Riley Garrison

Alyca Garrison regularly assists clients with design, compliance, and tax issues related to all types of employee benefit plans, including retirement plans, incentive and equity compensation plans, deferred compensation arrangements that fall within the scope of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, severance and employment agreements, and transaction bonus or change-in-control plans. A significant part of Alyca’s practice involves representing and advising municipal and statewide public pension plans in the state of Texas on a variety of issues arising under federal and state law, including plan administration and benefits, statutory interpretation, fiduciary and governance matters, plan qualification, tax compliance, and plan investments.

Chuck Campbell, Austin partner and chair of the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation practice, stated: “Alyca is the first attorney in our practice group who has developed from a first-year summer associate to a partner of the firm. Alyca’s impenetrable integrity, fierce dedication and loyalty to her family, friends, colleagues, and clients, calming temperament, and genuine care for others are qualities that I admire and aspire to. We are fortunate to call her partner.”

In recognition of her practice, Alyca has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. She received her B.B.A., magna cum laude, from Baylor University and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Baylor University School of Law.

Bowman Givhan, Jr.

Bowman Givhan, Jr. represents clients on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, capital formation, investments, and corporate governance matters. His practice spans across a variety of industries such as energy, healthcare, heavy industrial, insurance, real estate, and technology, handling transactions from the low millions to over a billion dollars.

“Bowman’s collaborative spirit and ability to bring out the best in team members at all levels have been instrumental in strengthening Jackson Walker. His forward-looking leadership and dedication to building a practice of first-class transactions will ensure his continued success. We are fortunate to have him as partner,” Dallas partner Mario Dolan noted.

In recognition of his practice, Bowman has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from The University of Alabama and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Harris Huguenard

Harris Huguenard represents clients in complex civil litigation, including business disputes, patent cases, real property and construction conflicts, and commercial and personal injury matters in the oil and gas industry. He is a skilled trial lawyer. Harris has first-chaired and second-chaired trials that resulted in favorable judgments for his clients. He previously clerked for Chief Judge Rodney Gilstrap of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Houston partner Amy Baird noted, “Harris Huguenard is a truly excellent litigator. A third-generation trial lawyer, Harris is in his element in the courtroom and in depositions, and he has great instincts for litigation.”

In recognition of his practice, Harris has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. He received his B.A. from Middlebury College and his J.D., cum laude, from Baylor Law School.

Bethany Pickett Shah

Bethany Pickett Shah represents media companies, energy conglomerates, healthcare providers, and tech firms in civil litigation and investigations. An experienced trial and appellate litigator, she has tried four federal jury trials to verdict and argued before the U.S Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  Before joining Jackson Walker, she previously served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas, as well as a counsel at the White House and Department of Justice, where she defended the President in his first impeachment trial and worked on the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

“Bethany has all the skills necessary for a good trial lawyer. What makes her a great trial lawyer is the ability to react to the atmospherics of a case, how will it play in the broader context. Plus, most of us have prepared witnesses for deposition or trial, but she alone has prepared a Supreme Court Justice for his Senate testimony,” stated Houston partner Chip Babcock.

In recognition of her work, Bethany was awarded the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas’s Award for Dedicated Service. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from The King’s College and her J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law. After law school, she clerked for the Hon. Edith H. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Devanshi Somaya

Devanshi Somaya represents clients in a range of litigation matters, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, commercial lease conflicts, media law, and intellectual property disputes. She also has experience handling business tort cases and representing broker-dealers in FINRA arbitrations.

“Devanshi brings top-notch litigation skills matched with a genuinely kind, outgoing personality. The combination is brutal for opponents in court and makes for happy returning clients,” stated Dallas partner Shannon Teicher.

In recognition of her practice, Devanshi has been named among the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and as a Texas Rising Star by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. She received her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D., cum laude, from SMU Dedman School of Law.

Jessica B. Palvino

Jessica Palvino advises employers, plan sponsors, plan administrators, and tax-exempt entities on the ever-changing world of employee benefits, executive compensation, and tax obligations. With experience as in-house counsel for Texas’ largest public retirement system and a background in litigation, she takes a risk-based approach to guiding clients on plan design, regulatory compliance, and compensation matters.

“Jessica provides wonderful insight to our management and development, lends an ear and shares wisdom with our younger attorneys, and generally is a delight to work with. For a firm that prides itself on its culture, we could not welcome a more loyal and dedicated partner, and we are so glad to have her on our team,” noted Austin partner and Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation chair Chuck Campbell.

In recognition of her practice, Jessica has been named among The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for both employee benefits and tax law. She received her B.A. from Texas A&M University and her J.D., cum laude, from Baylor Law School and earned her L.L.M. from the New York University School of Law.

Heath Armstrong

Heath Armstrong represents public and private clients on government regulation, contested case hearings, and legislative policy, with a focus on electric, water, telecommunications, and renewable energy projects. He has led litigation teams in regulatory proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ERCOT, and other regional transmission operators, and he regularly engages with policymakers on energy sector regulations and grid reliability issues.

“As Heath has transitioned from public service to private practice, he has become an indispensable go-to client counselor. His instincts and calming demeanor have made him a comforting voice in the morass of regulatory chaos,” said Austin partner Kirk Rasmussen.

He received his B.S. from St. John Fisher College and his J.D. from Baylor Law School.

Brandon Durrett

Brandon Durrett negotiates purchase and sale agreements for upstream and midstream oil and gas assets, advising on marketing, financing, due diligence, and transition matters. He also handles complex petroleum agreements, oil and gas disputes, and regulatory compliance before state and federal agencies, bringing deep industry knowledge as a board-certified specialist in oil, gas, and mineral law.

“Brandon is one of the most talented oil and gas lawyers in the state of Texas. His unwavering intellectual honesty and his high regard for doing what’s right result in the perfect lawyer,” said San Antonio partner Reagan Marble.

In recognition of his practice, Brandon has been named among The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for energy law. He received his B.A., with honors, from Brigham Young University and his J.D., cum laude, from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Meet JW

Since Jackson Walker’s founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 500 attorneys, we are the largest firm in Texas and have been recognized by Law360 as a “Texas Powerhouse” and an “elite law firm” that regularly provides counsel to industry-leading clients.