MehaffyWeber is proud to announce 25 firm attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026. For over 40 years, the Best Lawyers® Peer Review Process has set the standard for merit-based legal distinction. This process is respected by lawyers and firms worldwide, generating more than 13 million confidential evaluations each year. It captures the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues. MehaffyWeber is honored to have more than two dozen attorneys awarded this honor for 2026.
Additionally, the firm is also privileged to have five attorneys named the Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year,” including Barbara J. Barron for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants in Beaumont, Texas, Gayla Corley for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants in San Antonio, Texas, Karen L. Spivey for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants in Beaumont, Texas, Michele Y. Smith for Litigation – Insurance in Beaumont, Texas, and Kyle D. Weynand for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Houston, Texas. These individuals received the highest overall peer feedback this year. Notably, this distinction is awarded to a single “Lawyer of the Year” in each practice area and geographic location, underscoring its exclusivity and prestige.
The following attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026:
Beaumont, TX
Brian E. Armstrong
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Barbara J. Barron
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law – Management
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Robert A. Black
- Appellate Practice
- Arbitration
- Mediation
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Joseph E. Broussard IV
- Real Estate Law
- Trusts and Estates
M.C. Carrington
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Environmental
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Litigation – Patent
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Patricia D. Chamblin
- Health Care Law
- Litigation – Health Care
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Sandra F. Clark
- Commercial Litigation
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Frank Domino
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Insurance
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Gordon R. Pate, Sr.
- Insurance Law
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Louis M. Scofield, Jr.
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Insurance
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Michele Y. Smith
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Litigation – Insurance
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Litigation – Insurance
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Karen L. Spivey
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Litigation – Insurance
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Houston, TX
Mark Appling
- Commercial Litigation
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Maryalyce Cox
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Bruce C. Gaible
- Insurance Law
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
James W. Henges
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Paul Heyburn
- Commercial Litigation
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Environmental
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Michael W. Magee
- Litigation – Insurance
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
James G. Martingano
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Trey Sandoval
- Construction Law
- Litigation – Insurance
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Kyle D. Weynand
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Construction Law
- Litigation – Construction
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
San Antonio, TX
Gayla Corley
- “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – Insurance
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
Keith B. O’Connell
- Construction Law
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
The following attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2026:
Beaumont, TX
Ryan C. Scott
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Kate Broussard Thorne
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- Real Estate Law
- Trusts and Estates
Serving Texas for Over 75 Years
For over 75 years, MehaffyWeber has been a trusted legal partner to businesses across Texas. With offices in Houston, Beaumont, San Antonio, and Austin, our experienced team of litigators delivers strategic counsel and representation across a wide range of industries. From complex litigation to civil matters, we are committed to helping your business navigate legal challenges with confidence.