Woolf McClane is proud to announce that 28 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Only about 5% of lawyers in the United States are recognized, reflecting the selectivity and credibility of the results. For the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 260 million evaluations were analyzed.
Five attorneys were recognized this year as “Lawyer of the Year.” This accolade is reserved for one individual per practice area in each metropolitan region, based on the highest aggregate peer feedback.
In addition, six attorneys were named as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch®.
Rounding out the 2026 honorees, 22 attorneys were included in the following practice areas:
J. Nicholas Arning, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
Health Care Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Hugh B. Bright, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
Luis C. Bustamante (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
W. Kyle Carpenter (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
Commercial Litigation
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
J. Keith Coates, Jr. (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019)
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law – Management
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Patti T. Cotten (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
Corporate Compliance Law
Corporate Law
Health Care Law
J. Chadwick Hatmaker (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015)
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law – Individuals
Employment Law – Management (Lawyer of the Year)
Litigation – Labor and Employment
Dean T. Howell (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018)
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Insurance Law
Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Jason P. Lambert (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (Lawyer of the Year)
J. Ford Little (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010)
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation – Construction (Lawyer of the Year)
Gregory C. Logue (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013)
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Richard S. Matlock (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019)
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
Dennis R. McClane (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007)
Commercial Litigation
Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Real Estate Law
Daniel J. Moore (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law
Robert P. Noell (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012)
Construction Law (Lawyer of the Year)
R. Joseph Parkey (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law
Kevin N. Perkey (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
O.E. Sonny Schow IV (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021)
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Corporate Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law (Lawyer of the Year)
Tax Law
Trusts and Estates
C. Gavin Shepherd (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2026)
Commercial Litigation
Insurance Law
Darsi N. Sirknen (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Trusts and Estates
M. Aaron Spencer (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024)
Banking and Finance Law
Commercial Litigation
Robert L. Vance (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020)
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Banking and Finance
Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs