The firm was ranked nationally in 26 different practice areas, and ranked by metropolitan city in various practice areas.

For the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list, clients were asked to provide feedback on firm practice groups, addressing expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

The 2015 rankings are as follows:

National Rankings

Tier 1

Commercial Litigation
Litigation – First Amendment
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Natural Resources Law
Oil & Gas Law
Railroad Law
Real Estate Law

Tier 2

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Employment Law – Management
Energy Law
Immigration Law
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Banking & Finance
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Environmental
Tax Law

Tier 3

Construction Law
Derivatives and Futures Law
Healthcare Law
Land Use & Zoning Law
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Securities
Transportation Law
Venture Capital Law

Metropolitan Rankings

Austin

Tier 1

Administrative / Regulatory Law
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Environmental Law
Insurance Law
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Patent Law
Real Estate Law

Tier 2

Banking and Finance Law
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Energy Law
Financial Services Regulation Law
Government Relations Practice
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Patent
Trademark Law
Trusts & Estates Law
Water Law

Tier 3

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy

Dallas (includes Fort Worth)

Tier 1

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Corporate Law
Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
Employment Law – Management
Energy Law
First Amendment Law
Labor Law – Management
Land Use & Zoning Law
Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
Litigation – Banking & Finance
Litigation – Construction
Litigation – Environmental
Litigation – First Amendment
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Litigation – Land Use & Zoning
Litigation – Securities
Natural Resources Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defense
Railroad Law
Real Estate Law

Tier 2

Antitrust Law
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Governance Law
Corporate Law
Derivatives and Futures Law
Environmental Law
Litigation – Antitrust
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – ERISA
Litigation – Patent
Litigation – Trusts & Estates
Mergers & Acquisitions Law
Sports Law
Transportation Law

Tier 3

Litigation – Mergers & Acquisitions
Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
Litigation – Tax
Oil & Gas Law

Houston

Tier 1

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Commercial Litigation
Healthcare Law
Immigration Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy
Litigation – First Amendment
Natural Resources Law
Oil & Gas Law
Real Estate Law

Tier 2

Employment Law – Management
Labor Law – Management
Litigation – Intellectual Property
Litigation – Labor & Employment
Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
Tax Law
Venture Capital Law

Tier 3

Corporate Governance Law
Litigation – Banking & Finance

Lubbock (includes San Angelo)

Tier 1

Commercial Litigation
Mediation

Tier 2

Arbitration

San Antonio

Tier 1

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Corporate Law
Healthcare Law
Litigation – Bankruptcy