More “Rising Stars” in San Antonio Than Any Other Firm

March 19, 2015 | Attorney News



“Rising Stars” are those considered to be the best young attorneys with a bright future in law. The list is created by senior attorneys of San Antonio and was published in the March 2015 edition of S.A. Scene.

Jackson Walker has been working to assure that the future of the firm is bright in San Antonio and the recent selection of more Jackson Walker lawyers to the “Rising Star” list highlights that we have assembled the best and the brightest in the city.

Lauren Ciminello is a Partner with Jackson Walker L.L.P. in the practice areas of Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions, focusing on closely held businesses. Lauren also regularly represents borrowers in finance transactions and has worked on negotiating complex financing transactions totaling over $1 billion. Lauren’s practice is further complemented by experience in planning for complex corporate, family, and inter-generational matters, including family succession and estate planning. She is Co-Chair of the firm’s statewide Family Office Practice Group, advising family offices on creating tax, management and business succession strategies that help clients preserve wealth and achieve their business and personal goals. Lauren has a B.B.A. in Finance from Baylor University and a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. She was named a “40 Under 40 Rising Star” by the San Antonio Business Journal in 2010.

Jesse Lotay is a skilled transactional lawyer with focused experience in corporate transactions and energy financing. He takes a problem-solving approach to his practice, providing clients with innovative solutions to mitigate exposure to risk, optimize assets, and maximize financial results. In the area of corporate transactions, Jesse advises clients on an array of business matters including the acquisition and sale of crude oil and natural gas storage, pipeline, refinery, terminal, transportation, and other energy infrastructure assets. Jesse additionally concentrates his practice in the area of energy financing, where he advises clients on energy-based derivatives, commodities, trading activities, assessing and minimizing financial and counterparty risk, reporting and clearing obligations under Dodd-Frank, and negotiating highly structured agreements. Jesse received his B.S. from Trinity University and his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law. He received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Houston.

Michael Roberts maintains a broad litigation practice, with an emphasis on commercial and construction litigation. His representative experience includes: defeating claims in arbitration for breach of contract, fraud and attorney’s fees against subcontractor and subcontractor’s principal, obtaining injunctive relief on behalf of employers to enforce covenants not to compete, non-solicitation agreements and non-disclosure agreements and assisting general contractor in obtaining all amounts owed from the owner, including Texas Prompt Pay interest and attorney’s fees.

Jordan. Smith concentrates his practice in the areas of energy, natural resources, real estate and general corporate transactions, with an emphasis on negotiating agreements pertaining to upstream exploration and production activities. He advises oil and gas clients on a wide range of issues, including title issues, water rights issues, horizontal drilling under special field rules and lease development obligations. In addition, Jordan has experience in a variety of business transactions, including the acquisition and development of real property, corporate mergers and reorganizations, asset sales and acquisitions and project financing. Jordan received his B.A. degree, with honors, in Government from The University of Texas at Austin. He received his J.D. degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Matt Swantner focuses his practice on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, oil and gas matters, creditor’s rights, mineral and construction liens, and bankruptcy matters throughout Texas and New Mexico. Working with clients in diverse industry sectors, Matt demonstrates a keen ability to apprehend both the legal issues and the underlying business principles in a given case, which enables him to effectively represent his clients’ interests. Matt received his B.B.A. degree in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law.

Matt Vandenberg is an associate in the Litigation section of Jackson Walker. His practice focuses on assisting clients with commercial litigation needs in areas such as contract disputes, business torts, UCC commercial and bank transactions, creditors’ rights, in addition to disputes involving healthcare providers and insurers. Matt also advises domestic and international clients on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance and has extensive experience with revival of and efforts to collect judgment debts, including alter ego arguments and foreign domestication of judgments. Matt received his A.B. from Harvard College and his J.D. from Duke University School of Law.