
Litigation: Securities
USA Guide 2026 : Texas
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts’ trial lawyers combine strong commercial judgment with deep legal, technical, and policy expertise to handle clients’ most critical disputes. Leveraging close knowledge of client needs and the firm’s global resources, the team delivers creative, timely, and strategic guidance aligned with business objectives. Baker Botts' lawyers collaborate closely with clients to develop effective litigation strategies using early case assessment methods and then implement them efficiently using the latest technology. The firm organizes client‑centric teams to pursue objectives not only in court, but also in boardrooms and other strategic settings. Clients benefit from pragmatic, industry‑informed solutions as well as value‑added improvements in technology, staffing, and litigation processes.
To learn more about our practice, visit: www.bakerbotts.com/services/practice-areas/litigation
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Baker Botts continued to represent AT&T and its current and former senior executives in a high-profile securities class action involving allegations of over $8 billion in class losses following a sharp decline in AT&T’s stock price during the summer of 2023 after a series of Wall Street Journal articles asserting that lead‑sheathed telecommunications cables posed public health and environmental risks across the United States.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Baker Botts deals with complex matters well. I think very highly of its client service, and its communications are strong. The team is very responsive, practical and really works to understand clients and their industries. It is a strong overall commercial litigation practice which can pull in a lot of resources from across the firm and find the right team for each matter.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSABaker Botts' team drafts excellently, prepares persuasive arguments and communicates well.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSABaker Botts has an exceptional legal team with invaluable knowledge across numerous legal matters and global experience. The firm has exceptional follow-up and service levels. It is extremely knowledgeable about the client's company and business.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSABaker Botts is full of brilliant attorneys who are collaborative and easy to work with. The firm has deep expertise globally and comprehensive experience, and it knows how to marshal this to deliver desired results and to realize strategies. It is expert in managing the most complex and highest-stakes controversies and meets timelines with high-quality work. Its attorneys deliver comprehensive guidance that helps us prepare for every likely scenario.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSABaker Botts' proactive approach and ability to understand the company's goals set it apart. Even in crisis, it is not reactive. It will help you through those immediate issues but is also laser-focused on improving processes to avoid issues arising. Its attorneys are very good at being proactive and helping you spot issues that may be coming on the horizon.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 4 
Band 4 
Amy Hefley
Amy Hefley has an impressive securities practice, which includes assisting clients with class actions and breach of fiduciary duty cases. She is further skilled in a wide range of commercial disputes. Amy is detail-oriented and a go-getter. She is a very smart attorney but is able to put her counsel into layman's terms very well too.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAAmy is smart, responsive and a terrific writer, and she has a brilliant legal mind.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAAmy is terrific and I think the world of her; she is a go-to for me. She is incredibly bright and really good at client handling. She is also experienced at trial and fabulous on her feet.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAAmy is a pleasure to work with. She is an excellent, consummate team player and is a valued adviser on all of our legal issues. She also displays strong commercial awareness.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAAmy is phenomenal at everything. She is a very strong writer and I never have to change anything. She is the complete package as a lawyer.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Danny David
Baker Botts managing partner Danny David regularly counsels clients on securities class actions and shareholder derivative suits, with particular strength in merger challenges and breach of fiduciary duty cases. He offers additional experience in commercial disputes. Danny is fantastic. He is a leader in securities litigation and across a variety of other areas.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADanny is a cool hand providing guidance and is very artful at seeing the big picture. He is very knowledgeable, responsive and communicative.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADanny is a top-notch lawyer doing very sophisticated and interesting litigation. I regard him very highly.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAAll I have to do is think of something and it’s already done. Danny is the rare mix of strategist, storyteller and steady hand under fire. He masters the facts so completely that he turns complexity into clarity for the judge and the jury. He listens hard, speaks well and reads the room. His questions are surgically precise, economical and devastating, without theatrics. He sees around corners and develops insightful strategies at trial.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADanny is a very smart and really effective attorney.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
David Sterling
David Sterling is a preeminent litigator with vast experience handling securities class actions and derivative suits. David is a top-notch lawyer doing very sophisticated and interesting litigation. I regard him very highly.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADavid is incredible in this space.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADavid is extremely strong and one of the primary statesman of securities in Texas.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADavid is one of the best lawyers and legal minds in the country. He has a pristine track record and his ability to argue cases in front of the court is unparalleled.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSADavid is a brilliant lawyer who is fast on his feet and has excellent vision. He reads judges and situations well and achieves practical, efficient and effective results for clients.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Gavin R Villareal
Gavin Villareal leads Baker Botts' Austin-based litigation offering. He represents clients in a range of commercial disputes including trade secrets misappropriation and securities class actions. Gavin is responsive, extremely helpful and knowledgeable. He has good knowledge of us as a business and weaves commercial concerns into his counsel.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAGavin is among the most sophisticated, articulate and capable attorneys I have ever met. He has extensive knowledge and excellent technical legal skills. He is also very easy to work with and fosters a relaxed, thorough and confident approach to problem assessment and resolution.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
John Lawrence
Based in Baker Botts' Dallas office, John Lawrence is noted for representing clients in securities litigation, including class actions and M&A challenges. John is a pleasure to work with. He is an excellent, consummate team player and is a valued adviser on all of our legal issues. He also has strong commercial awareness.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAJohn is very good at coming up with novel solutions to difficult securities problems. He is a creative thinker.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAJohn is an expert in his practice area and knows our company inside and out as a business in a way that no other firm does.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAJohn is an excellent attorney and a thoughtful partner. He is calm under pressure and gives the client confidence.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAJohn is a terrific lawyer. He has a unique ability to think through problems in a creative and structured way, allowing for convincing and clear communication.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Scott D Powers
Scott Powers offers clients deep experience in a range of commercial litigation matters, including complex contractual disputes and trade secrets cases. Scott is extremely smart, incredibly knowledgeable and strategic.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSAScott is an excellent lawyer. He is responsive, a great communicator and never misses a beat. He leads a very strong team effectively.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Tom O'Brien
Tom O'Brien is chair of Baker Botts' Dallas litigation department. He is well versed in representing clients across a wide variety of industries in complex commercial litigation, including professional liability cases.
Tom is an excellent, well-rounded attorney. He is well connected in Texas and has solid expertise in terms of complex litigations. He also has strong appellate expertise.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSATom is a high-quality, client-focused and hard-working attorney. He is a pleasure to work with.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSATom strikes the perfect balance between business-minded advocacy and fierce legal counsel. He knows the facts of all of our cases so well and is exceptional at turning around work quickly. Tom handles our bespoke issues flawlessly. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSATom is a great trial lawyer, provides really helpful guidance and is wonderful in front of a jury.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Charles Strecker
Charles Strecker is noted for his breadth of experience in securities litigation, which sees him regularly represent corporates and individuals across a range of sectors.
Charles is a fantastic lawyer. He is incredibly knowledgeable of the law and very responsive to any questions or requests.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSACharles is particularly good at digging into financial and accounting issues and understands them very deeply.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSACharles is an exceptional legal professional.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Baker Botts L.L.P. (10)
Members
Provided by Baker Botts L.L.P.

Anthony Lucisano

Thomas R Phillips

Louis “Louie” Layrisson

Ryan T. Ward

Maddy Dwertman

Ariel D. House

Susan Kennedy

Monica H. Smith

Kevin T. Jacobs

Russell Lewis

Bridget Moore
Head of Department

Kirstie Mellon

Tina Q. Nguyen



David Sterling
View profile of David Sterling
John Lawrence
View profile of John Lawrence
Charles Strecker
View profile of Charles Strecker
Tom O'Brien
View profile of Tom O'Brien
Gavin R Villareal
View profile of Gavin R Villareal
Scott D Powers
View profile of Scott D Powers
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.