James Cowen, co-managing partner of Porter Hedges LLP, balances firm leadership with a thriving corporate practice spanning M&A, financing, and outside general counsel roles. Cowen led transformative work for SAExploration – guiding it through bankruptcy, transforming it into an acquisitive company, and overseeing cross-border expansion with a recent significant deal in Norway. Furthermore, he advised Motiva Enterprises on a multi-million-dollar divestiture of numerous liquid energy terminals.

Soheil Ebadat, managing partner of Ebadat PLLC, leads a global corporate and M&A practice with a distinctive focus on European football transactions. He serves as lead counsel on high-value, cross-border deals across top leagues including Ligue 1, Serie A, and La Liga, as well as for private equity and family office clients. Ebadat combines deep transactional expertise with an outside general counsel approach, advising on complex acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnerships worldwide.

Habeeb Gnaim, chair of Chamberlain Hrdlicka’s business group, continues to distinguish himself in complex M&A, particularly where tax and restructuring intersect, with further expertise in cross-border deals. His practice spans sectors from private equity and healthcare to construction and professional services. Gnaim recently led high-value transactions, including ZT Corporate’s expansion in emergency healthcare and Page’s acquisition by Stantec.

Lytch Gutmann at Bracewell LLP continues to solidify her reputation as a powerhouse in energy transactions. Leading major deals, she served as lead counsel on three high-profile transactions valued at over $2.3bn combined. Notably, Gutmann advised TC Energy on the $1.14 billion sale of its interest in the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System, Phillips 66 on its $550m acquisition of Pinnacle Midland Parent LLC to expand in the Midland Basin, and Kinder Morgan’s $640m acquisition in North Dakota’s Williston Basin.

Kevin Poli leads the corporate practice at Porter Hedges LLP with a broad transactional focus and strong energy sector depth. He is known for his work on complex mandates such as ESOP restructurings and cross-border M&A – notably advising on deals involving Dutch and German acquirers. His recent highlights include SunGas’s green methanol venture, Axxence’s €70m cross-border combination, and U.S. Physical Therapy’s $76.5m acquisition.

Marisela Peña Gonzalez at Jackson Walker L.L.P., focuses on M&A and joint ventures, with a strong concentration in real estate transactions. Her practice includes buy- and sell-side deals, structuring joint ventures for developers and investors, and advising on corporate governance matters. She regularly handles transactions involving complex capital structures and has helped international clients establish and grow US operations. Much of her work involves national projects with multiple parties and assets across jurisdictions.

Steve Kesten, Corporate and M&A chair at BoyarMiller, advises entrepreneurs and family businesses across diverse sectors from oilfield services to healthcare. Recently, Kesten led the complex multi-million-dollar recapitalization of Moffitt Holdings, managing multiple equity owners with conflicting interests. He also guided Capital Glass through its sale, structuring management rollover equity and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Gary Miller, founding shareholder at BoyarMiller, specializes in mid-market corporate and M&A work across diverse industries. He has led significant transactions including the $100 million-plus sale of American Alloy Steel to Reliance Steel and represented Acteon Group (UK) in a subsidiary sale. Miller also advised Mission Driven Distributors in acquiring food distribution assets during a major liquidation. His practice balances M&A with general corporate advice, often handling complex bankruptcies, shareholder disputes, and cross-border deals involving UK and European clients.

Amy Moss, a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, focuses on private middle-market M&A and serves as outside counsel to clients ranging from multinationals to closely held businesses. Her transactional work spans sectors including food, energy, tech, and manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on sell-side mandates. Moss frequently advises on cross-border deals involving jurisdictions such as Sweden, Japan, and Canada, and is well-versed in regulatory complexities, including ITAR compliance and tariff-related supply chain issues.

Lawrence Wilson at BoyarMiller has advised on two recent multi-million-dollar transactions. He led the sale of Ben’s Asphalt, involving 11 entities, multiple reorganizations, and complex tax structuring across seven owners with differing equity and asset holdings. He also handled the sale of Space City Services, overseeing reorganization, asset transfers, and conversion to an LLC before its acquisition by Quantix. Both matters required managing differing ownership interests, legal structures, and transaction mechanics across a range of corporate and tax issues.

James Mayor at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP regularly handles complex M&A matters for both public and private companies, with recent experience spanning energy, industrials, and advanced technologies. Mayor recently advised Thermon Group Holdings on its acquisition of Vapor Power International, a deal that expanded Thermon’s capabilities in industrial process heating