Eight Lloyd Gosselink Principals Named in the 2026 Best Lawyers in America® & Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® Lists

Thomas L. Brocato
Energy Regulatory Law

Thomas heads the Firm’s Energy and Utility Practice Group and represents clients before regulatory agencies, the courts, and the legislature. In addition to his focus on utility administrative law, his experience at the legislature and with rate proceedings, rulemakings, transmission line licensing applications, and appellate litigation make Thomas a valuable resource for clients with electric, gas, and water utility issues.

José de la Fuente
Litigation – Environmental

Joe heads the Firm’s Litigation, Appellate, and Business Services Practice Groups, and is an aggressive advocate who loves fighting on behalf of Texans and the entities that represent them in all corners of the State.  Joe is comfortable in any courtroom, state or Federal, trial or appellate.  As a member of a skilled and efficient team, Joe uses his knowledge of his clients and the law, along with his skills as a seasoned advocate, to help clients resolve disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeals.  The cases that Joe handles are often complex, unique, or unusual, involving novel questions of law, frequently with hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars at stake, with implications for people throughout the State.  

Michael A. “Mike” Gershon
Water Law

Mike heads the Firm’s Water Practice Group and assists clients with a variety of water resource management, permitting, transactional, and water utility matters, including representation in court and before state regulatory agencies. 

Lauren Kalisek
Administrative/Regulatory Law

Lauren is the Firm’s Managing Director and leads our Districts Practice Group. She has practiced for more than 20 years in Texas water utility and water quality law and focuses on providing counsel to cities, river authorities, water districts, and other local governmental organizations.

James Parker
Appellate Practice

James is a principal in the Firm’s Litigation, Appellate, and Business Services Practice Groups and has represented clients in complex litigation and appeals that affect not just the parties, but have broad public consequences. When litigation is necessary, James has the experience to take the case from its very beginning to its ultimate conclusion.

David J. Klein
Administrative / Regulatory Law

David is a principal in our Water and Districts Practice Groups. He represents municipalities, water districts, water supply corporations, utilities and landowners with their water supply, water quality, and water and sewer utility service interests, including certificates of convenience and necessity (CCN). He also assists these entities with their impact fees, wholesale and retail utility rates, and regulatory enforcement matters.

Nathan E. Vassar
Water Law

Nathan is a principal in our Water Law Practice Group. His practice is influenced by his experience in the state house and his background in both regulatory compliance and environmental litigation. He focuses on regulatory compliance, water resources development, and water quality matters, addressing permitting and enforcement, and when necessary, litigation. Nathan regularly appears before state and federal agencies, as well as courts across the state and region.

Gabrielle C. Smith
Commercial Litigation

Gabrielle is a principal in our Litigation Practice Group. She represents clients in litigation matters in state and federal courts. She provides guidance to clients as they navigate through the steps of the process at both the trial and appellate levels. Gabrielle also has experience in alternative dispute resolution, exploring options through both pre-litigation and litigation routes. She works to determine assessment of risk, potential outcomes, and cost-efficient solutions.