Five Haynes Boone lawyers were recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in their practice areas as part of the 2022 Best Lawyers in America directory. They are Partners Jeffrey Becker, Buddy Clark and Mark Erickson, Senior Counsel Barry McNeil, and Partner Chad Mills.
The honor is given to lawyers with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" for each specialty and location, according to Best Lawyers in America.
Below is additional information about each Haynes Boone lawyer:
Jeff Becker: Lawyer of the Year in Technology Law in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Jeff served as the chair of the firm’s Trademark Practice Group for over a decade, and prior to that served as head of the firm’s entire Intellectual Property and Technology Transactions Section, helping to build the firm’s trademark practice into one of the best in the country as recognized by World Trademark Review (2012-2021). Jeff focuses his practice on the legal aspects of brand management, including clearing their marks for use, registering those marks in the U.S. and abroad, managing domain name acquisitions, commercializing marks through licenses and merchandising agreements, assessing infringement risks, enforcing their trademark rights against others and defending them against allegations of infringement. A significant amount of Jeff’s time is spent on litigating oppositions and cancellations within the U.S. Trademark Office’s Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
Buddy Clark: Lawyer of the Year in Project Finance Law in Houston.
As co-chair of our Energy Practice Group, Buddy represents producers, banks, and private capital providers, accessing and providing capital to the energy industry. Buddy is a frequent speaker at oil and gas conferences and is often cited as an authority on current issues facing the oil and gas industry in energy trade publications and financial journals. He is the author of Oil Capital: The History of American Oil, Wildcatters, Independents and Their Bankers, which explains the historical relationship between independent producers and their capital providers in America’s oil and gas industry. Buddy is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University Law Schools, where he teaches a course on energy finance transactions.
Mark Erickson: Lawyer of the Year for his work in Litigation - Real Estate in Orange County.
Mark has been solving business disputes through litigation, arbitration, and mediation for more than 35 years. His work for clients involves a diverse range of sophisticated commercial and real estate litigation matters, including contract, trade secret, and business governance and dissolution disputes. Mark’s client base includes a number of Fortune 500 companies, many of whom have worked with him for decades. Mark is a leader in the local bar and an active advocate for causes in the community. In 2019, he was awarded the Marcus Kaufman Jurisprudence Award by Anti-Defamation League for his career of community service and dedication to helping those in Orange County who need help the most.
Barry McNeil: Lawyer of the Year in Litigation – M&A – in Dallas/Fort Worth.
From his early days as a federal antitrust prosecutor to his 30 years with Haynes Boone, Barry has been an aggressive advocate on behalf of clients. Companies and executives turn to Barry because of his experience and capability to take on the most complex and difficult engagements. Barry has successfully represented his clients in numerous jury trials, in matters ranging from civil and criminal conspiracy, breach of contract and fiduciary duty, RICO, securities and antitrust offenses. One of those cases prompted the National Law Journal to recognize Barry and his colleagues for a “slam-dunk defense verdict,” calling it the “Biggest Defense Verdict of 1999.”
Chad Mills: Lawyer of the Year in Derivatives and Futures Law in Houston.
Chad is a partner in the Energy Practice Group in the firm’s Houston office. His practice focuses on structured energy transactions and related energy trading agreements, project and infrastructure development and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and other corporate transactions. With a long history of serving clients in the energy sector and a superior understanding of the natural gas, electric power and oil businesses, Chad helps clients successfully execute energy transactions and benefits clients with his exceptional understanding of the commercial and legal issues at play.
A cross-section of lawyers from offices across the country recognized in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America directory published by Woodward/White, Inc. Many of the firm’s early career lawyers were also recognized as Ones to Watch (nominated by peers).
Related Announcement: Haynes Boone Recognized in 2022 Best Lawyers in America Guide
