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Crain Caton & James, 1401 McKinney, Suite 1700, Houston, TX (2026)

05/11/2026

How a small act of support turned into something bigger than we expected.

Every year, the Houston Chronicle asks the people of Houston a simple question: Who’s the best? Readers nominate the businesses and professionals they trust — the ones they recommend to friends and turn to when it matters most. It’s called the Best of the Best competition, and it’s one of the most meaningful honors in our city.

Our clients, peers, colleagues, and employees thought of us — and because of their nominations, Crain Caton & James has advanced to the final Voting Round in all five of our practice areas: Corporate, Family Law, Litigation, Real Estate, and Trusts & Estates. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the people in our corner took a moment out of their day to say, quietly and sincerely: these are the people I trust. We don’t take that lightly.

The final voting round is now open through May 26. Anyone can vote once per day — no account required, no purchase necessary. Just a genuine opinion about who deserves to be called the best. Each practice area has its own ballot, and every single vote counts.

If we’ve had the privilege of working with you — helping protect your business, your family, or your future — we’d be honored to have your vote. Please share these links with anyone you think might want to weigh in.

VOTE FOR US — ONE CLICK PER CATEGORY, ONCE PER DAY

Corporate Law: https://www.chron.com/best/ #/gallery/531992271
Real Estate Law: https://www.chron.com/best/ #/gallery/531992432
Trusts & Estates: https://www.chron.com/best/ #/gallery/531992551
Family Law: https://www.chron.com/best/ #/gallery/531992713
Commercial Litigation: https://www.chron.com/best/ #/gallery/531991779

“Thank you for trusting us with what matters most. That trust is the only award that has ever truly meant something to us.”

Home of the Houston Chronicle's Best of the Best Voting

05/07/2026

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Kristina Villarin has joined the firm as an Associate in its Litigation Practice, focusing on commercial litigation.

Kristina brings a unique combination of legal and financial experience to her practice. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she spent nearly a decade in accounting, developing a strong foundation in financial analysis and regulatory compliance. Her prior experience enables her to work closely with attorneys to dissect complex financial records, streamline discovery, and identify key issues early in litigation.

She earned her J.D., summa cm laude, from South Texas College of Law, graduating in the top 5% of her class.

“We are excited to welcome Kristina to the firm,” said Mindy Riseden, Shareholder in the Litigation Practice. “Her accounting background and academic achievements position her to add immediate value in complex litigation matters, particularly in analyzing financial data and supporting case strategy.”

Kristina is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and holds both an M.B.A. and B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Houston.

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Kristina Villarin has joined the firm as an Associate in its Litigation Practice, focusing on commercial litigation. Kristina brings a unique combination of legal and financial experience to her practice. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), she spent....

04/27/2026

Crain Caton & James is proud to recognize Jennifer Varadi, a shareholder in the firm’s Family Law practice, for her leadership and service on the Board of Trustees of The Arbor School, a Houston-based institution dedicated to educating, empowering, and building hope for children with significant special needs and their families.

During the fundraising luncheon supporting The Arbor School’s “Growing for Good” capital campaign, Jennifer and her family hosted two tables in support of the school’s continued growth. The campaign is focused on expanding the school’s capacity and programming to meet increasing demand, including adding classrooms, creating dedicated therapy and vocational training spaces, and extending services to support students through age 22. These enhancements are critical as the school has experienced significant growth in both student enrollment and staffing while operating at full capacity in its current facility.

The Arbor School has long been committed to providing individualized, high-impact education—maintaining low student-teacher ratios, offering tailored curricula, and integrating therapeutic support to help each child reach their fullest potential. The “Growing for Good” campaign will further that mission by creating permanent spaces for life-skills training, therapy services, and expanded classroom instruction, ensuring students are equipped for greater independence and long-term success.

Joining Jennifer at the luncheon were other CCJ attorneys, Courtney Hoff, Lexi Lori-Whitmer, and Stacie Seals, underscoring the strong community support behind the campaign. Jennifer’s involvement is inspired by her daughter (a current student at The Arbor) and reflects a deep commitment to advancing opportunities for children with special needs and strengthening resources for families across the Houston area.

Crain Caton & James is proud to recognize Jennifer Varadi, a shareholder in the firm’s Family Law practice, for her leadership and service on the Board of Trustees of The Arbor School, a Houston-based institution dedicated to educating, empowering, and building hope for children with significant s...

04/06/2026

Crain Caton & James is proud to support the First Community Cares Foundation 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, which took place on March 31, 2026, at the Golf Club of Houston. Representing the firm at this year’s event was the team of Greg DeVries, Trey Gifford, Myles Keffer, and Dave Polsinelli, who joined other participants for a day of golf benefiting an important community-focused mission. Special guest Stephan Jaeger helped kick off the day’s activities.

The First Community Cares Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the community by supporting education, families, veterans, and children. Through its work with local charities, school districts, and community organizations, the Foundation helps provide scholarships for students and resources for families, with the goal of building stronger communities and empowering people to achieve their goals.

At Crain Caton & James, giving back to the community is an important part of who we are. We are honored to participate in events like this one that bring people together in support of organizations making a meaningful impact across the Houston area.

Crain Caton & James is proud to support the First Community Cares Foundation 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, which took place on March 31, 2026, at the Golf Club of Houston. Representing the firm at this year’s event was Greg DeVries, Trey Gifford, Myles Keffer, and Dave Polsinelli, who joined other p...

01/08/2026

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Courtney A. Hoff has joined the firm as a shareholder in its Family Law Practice. With more than 20 years of experience devoted to family law, Courtney brings seasoned judgment, professionalism, and a steady approach to guiding clients through complex and sensitive family matters.

Courtney provides comprehensive counsel across the full spectrum of family law issues, including divorce, high-net-worth divorce representation, and complex property and asset division involving significant financial and business interests. Her practice also includes parent-child relationship matters, including child custody, conservatorship, visitation, child support, paternity, termination/adoptions, grandparent cases, protective orders, writs of habeas corpus, and jurisdictional issues. In addition, she negotiates and prepares premarital agreements, partition agreements, mediation agreements, arbitration, and the enforcement and modification of court orders.

Courtney is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by a select group of attorneys who have demonstrated substantial experience and expertise in the field. Before focusing exclusively on family law, she practiced civil and commercial litigation—experience that enhances her ability to manage the sophisticated financial and property issues often present in high-stakes family law matters, including cases involving business entities, trusts, real estate, oil and gas, characterization and valuation disputes, intellectual property, bankruptcy, reimbursement, fraud, waste, other equitable claims, tax liabilities, and tort actions.

“Courtney is a highly respected family law attorney whose experience, judgment, and credibility align seamlessly with the depth of talent already within our Family Law Practice,” said Sherri A. Evans, a shareholder in the firm’s Family Law Practice. “Her ability to combine effective, results-driven advocacy with a thoughtful, client-centered approach makes her an excellent addition to Crain Caton & James and a valuable resource for our clients.”

Known for her balanced advocacy, clear guidance, and attention to detail, Courtney is committed to helping individuals navigate difficult transitions with confidence and focus on achieving practical, durable outcomes that are in the best interest of their families.

Courtney earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law and her B.S. from The University of Texas at Austin. She has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2012 and is a Certified Mediator through the University of Texas Conflict Resolution Center. She is licensed by the State Bar of Texas.

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Courtney A. Hoff has joined the firm as a shareholder in its Family Law Practice. With more than 20 years of experience devoted to family law, Courtney brings seasoned judgment, professionalism, and a steady approach to guiding clients through complex....

01/08/2026

Federal trademark rights depend on continued use, and registrations can be cancelled if a mark is abandoned. After rebranding Twitter to X, X Corp. is facing a cancellation proceeding filed from Operation Bluebird, which argues that X Corp. stopped using the TWITTER name and Blue Bird logo. Operation Bluebird filed the proceeding at the USPTO in December 2025 to clear the way for its own trademark applications. X Corp. disputes the assertion and has filed suit in Delaware federal district court against Operation Bluebird. The dispute highlights how rebranding and public statements about ending use can put trademarks at risk and why businesses should regularly review and document trademark use. For more information:

Federal trademark registrations can be lost or limited by inaction. In a current cautionary tale, Elon Musk’s X Corp. is fighting to defeat an attack on its registrations for TWITTER and the BLUE BIRD LOGO because of its rebranding to X. The fight stems from basic trademark elements. Trademark rig...

01/07/2026

Crain Caton & James announces recent and upcoming changes to its Executive Committee, effective at the beginning of 2026.

Effective January 1, 2026, James E. Smith joined the Executive Committee. Jim Smith is a shareholder whose practice includes Environmental, Natural Resources, Health & Safety, Appellate, Intellectual Property, Litigation, and Construction Law matters. His broad experience across multiple Firm practice areas brings additional depth to the Committee.

James E. Hudson III will continue to serve as President and Chair of the Firm through the end of his current term on August 31, 2026. Jim Hudson is an Intellectual Property shareholder and has led the Firm during his presidency and chairmanship.

On September 1, 2026, Anna V. Kavanaugh will assume the role of President and Chair of the Firm, serving through her term ending April 30, 2027. Anna Kavanaugh is a shareholder and an Estate Planning and Probate attorney with substantial experience advising individuals and families on succession, wealth transfer, and probate matters.

Henry Kollenberg concluded his service on the Executive Committee on December 31, 2025. Henry Kollenberg is a long-time member of the Firm and a commercial litigator and appellate lawyer who has served clients across a wide range of complex disputes over the course of his career.

“Henry has been a dedicated member of our Firm for many years, and we appreciate his service on the Executive Committee,” said James E. Hudson III, President and Chairman of the Firm. “We are pleased to welcome Jim Smith to the Committee and look forward to Anna Kavanaugh stepping into the presidency and chairmanship later this year.”

Crain Caton & James announces recent and upcoming changes to its Executive Committee, effective at the beginning of 2026. Effective January 1, 2026, James E. Smith joined the Executive Committee. Jim Smith is a shareholder whose practice includes Environmental, Natural Resources, Health & Safety, Ap...

01/06/2026

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Alexander W. (“Alex”) Cohn has been promoted from Senior Associate to Shareholder, effective January 2.

Alex is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, and Employment & Labor practices. He represents individuals and businesses in complex litigation matters, guiding clients from early dispute resolution through trial and post-judgment remedies. His strategic approach and courtroom experience consistently deliver strong results for clients.

Prior to joining the firm, Alex served for more than five years as an Assistant District Attorney with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where he tried dozens of cases and handled thousands of contested hearings.

“Alex has earned this promotion through exceptional legal ability, sound judgment, and his commitment to client success,” said James E. Hudson III, President and Chairman of Crain Caton & James. “We are proud to welcome him as a Shareholder and look forward to his continued leadership and contributions to the firm.”

Alex earned his J.D., cm laude, from South Texas College of Law H and holds a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University. He is admitted to practice in Texas and in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas.

Crain Caton & James is pleased to announce that Alexander W. (“Alex”) Cohn has been promoted from Senior Associate to Shareholder, effective January 2. Alex is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Banking & Financial Services, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, and Employment & Labor practices....

12/15/2025

Crain Caton & James brought holiday cheer this year through the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation’s Adopt-an-Angel Program. This year, Crain, Caton, and James adopted 74 angels, benefiting 74 underserved children from local elementary schools by delivering bags of requested gifts to these children.

Since 1992, HYLF’s Adopt-an-Angel initiative has connected the Houston legal community with children who might otherwise go without during the holidays. This year, our firm’s participation was led by HYLF Fellow Trey Gifford, an attorney in our Fiduciary Litigation practice, who coordinated the effort across the firm and ensured every angel’s wish list was covered. Firm members Jackie Krejci and Ana Rendon assisted enormously in the completion of this effort.

Attorneys and staff enthusiastically shopped for gifts, turning those lists into brightly wrapped surprises. The hot items were clear: Barbie, Hello Kitty, Frozen, and anything Bluey led the pack; play kitchens and skates were also big hits. For the builders and thrill-seekers, cars, Legos, Tonka trucks, Monster trucks, Sonic, and even Lightening McQueen topped the list. And the timeless classics—balls, slime, and playdough—remained staples for good reason.

After the shopping bags were filled and the gifts wrapped, Crain Caton & James volunteers prepared the gifts for distribution. Dedicated HYLF volunteers—along with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a merry group of elves—handled the final delivery to the children, ensuring each angel received a magical holiday surprise.

Our firm’s participation reflects not only a commitment to service and community, but also a shared belief in the joy of giving—especially when it brings holiday magic to Houston’s youngest residents. Crain Caton & James is proud to support HYLF’s Adopt-an-Angel Program and looks forward to continuing this meaningful and festive tradition.

Crain Caton & James brought holiday cheer this year through the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation’s Adopt-an-Angel Program. This year, Crain, Caton, and James adopted 74 angels, benefiting 74 underserved children from local elementary schools by delivering bags of requested gifts to these children....

12/09/2025

Crain Caton & James, P.C. proudly congratulates Senior Counsel Brant Kotch on his induction into the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) Hall of Fame.

The evening gathered long-time volunteers, past honorees, and Houston Marathon leaders to recognize Brant’s exceptional 33-year legacy with the organization. The induction highlighted his 29 years on the HMC Board of Directors and his transformative leadership in roles including Course Director, Board President, and Race Director.

During the ceremony, HMC leaders credited Brant with shaping the Houston Marathon into a world-class event. Under his leadership, the organization hosted 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships, the 2012 Olympic Trials, expanded into a full Weekend of Events, tripled its participant base, and achieved the rare distinction of becoming the only event worldwide to simultaneously host a World Athletics Gold Label marathon and half marathon.

Speakers also emphasized Brant’s influence as a mentor, educator, and steady hand behind the scenes—someone who shared his deep institutional knowledge to ensure the Marathon’s success for generations to come.

James E. Hudson III, Chairman and President of Crain Caton & James, praised the recognition and Brant’s long-standing contributions:

“Brant’s induction into the Houston Marathon Hall of Fame is a remarkable achievement and one that reflects decades of dedication, vision, and community leadership. His impact on the Marathon—and on Houston itself—is profound, and we are proud to have him as part of our firm.”

The evening concluded with a warm round of applause—and a surprise acknowledgment of Brant’s birthday—adding a personal and joyful note to an already meaningful milestone.

Crain Caton & James congratulates Brant on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his extraordinary dedication to both the legal profession and the Houston community.

Additional details and photos may be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/houstonmarathon/posts/last-night-the-houston-marathon-committee-hmc-proudly-inducted-brant-kotch-into-/1296037195898658/

Crain Caton & James, P.C. proudly congratulates Senior Counsel Brant Kotch on his induction into the Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) Hall of Fame, celebrated last night during a special ceremony held on Thursday, November 20. The evening gathered long-time volunteers, past honorees, and Houston Mar...

12/04/2025

Mindy Riseden Admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States

Crain Caton & James is pleased to recognize attorney Mindy Riseden, who was admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States during a group admission ceremony on November 12 in Washington, D.C. Mindy was one of only twelve SMU Dedman School of Law alumni selected by Dean Jason Nance for this distinguished opportunity, extended in recognition of her service to the law school. After completing the application process and meeting the Court’s requirements, she joined fellow alumni for what she describes as “an unforgettable and humbling experience.”

During the ceremony, the SMU group was seated near the front of the courtroom as Dean Nance moved for their admission. As each name, including Mindy’s, was read, the applicants stood to be recognized. Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. granted the motion, and the group was sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Reflecting on the moment, Mindy shared: “It was an incredible honor to stand in that courtroom and be just feet away from the Justices, but I view it less as an achievement and more as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” We congratulate Mindy on this meaningful professional milestone and are proud to celebrate it with her.

Crain Caton & James congratulates Mindy McGehee Riseden on her admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

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