Spencer Fane is pleased to announce that nine attorneys have joined the firm’s Plano office. Partners James Drakeley, James Patterson and Scott Seifert; of counsel attorneys William Hayward, Laurie Patton, Thomas Slover, Chris Summers, and Robert Van Amburgh; and associate Macy Matthews all started on Jan. 1.
The additions are part of a move announced in early December and increase the number of Spencer Fane attorneys in Texas to 54.
“Our firm is excited to welcome this well-regarded group of attorneys to our Texas team, which continues to grow in a strategic manner,” said Paul Sander, Spencer Fane office managing partner in Plano. “Spencer Fane believes each lawyer will bring unique skills that will add depth and strengthen the services we provide to our clients. We have been impressed with everyone in this group and now look forward to integrating them into our office.”
Spencer Fane established its Texas presence with the opening of Dallas and Plano offices in January 2018. Additionally, the firm has taken steps to expand nationally into markets where its clients do business, including Houston in August 2019. There are now 35 attorneys in the Metroplex between the Plano and Dallas offices.
ABOUT THE ATTORNEYS
James Drakeley — Drakeley has nearly four decades of experience in prosecuting and defending a broad range of business-related litigation matters, including disputes over complex contracts, employment matters, noncompetes, trade secrets, commercial leases, commercial insurance policies, shareholder and partnership relations, and fiduciary duty obligations. He also has served as outside general counsel for several of his corporate clients and regularly provides advice and counsel to his diverse client base, including companies, C-level executives, directors, shareholders and employers, on a variety of litigation, dispute resolution, business, and employment issues.
James Patterson — Patterson’s practice includes work across a broad spectrum of corporate and business legal issues. A former CPA, his clients are often small-business owners, and he takes pride in helping them grow from startup to stability. Patterson works with clients on a diverse range of matters, including real estate, employment law, trademarks, copyrights, licensing, and mergers and acquisitions. He also counsels clients on their estate planning needs and the preparation of supporting wills and trusts.
Scott Seifert — Seifert is a trial lawyer representing both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of business disputes, and he has tried many cases in both state and federal court with a track record of success presenting to judges, juries, and arbitrators. His experience includes complex contract cases, shareholder disputes, lease disputes, covenants not to compete, trade secrets, nondisclosure agreements, breach of fiduciary duty, and construction cases.
William Hayward — For more than four decades, Hayward has been counseling clients on business deals and handling many different types of legal transactions, including real estate, corporate finance, lending, and mergers and acquisitions. He has a long history of working closely with startup businesses to help them grow and succeed and utilizes his financial acumen and background as a former CPA to serve his clients, who are most often small and midcap companies.
Laurie Patton — Patton represents companies and individuals in a wide range of commercial litigation matters and employment disputes. She works closely with her clients to identify their objectives and develop a strategy to achieve those goals. Patton graduated with honors from SMU Dedman School of Law, where she served as associate managing editor for the SMU International Law Review Association.
Thomas Slover — Slover practices in the areas of commercial real estate, leasing, banking, corporate and partnership law and regularly represents clients in a variety of matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, development and finance, leasing, foreclosures, property management agreements and service contracts. A Dallas native, he studied law at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law after receiving his undergraduate education from Vanderbilt University.
Chris Summers — Summers focuses his practice on corporate transactions with diverse experience with corporate law, trademarks, construction law, bankruptcy, and estate planning, enabling him to advise clients in a broad range of business needs. He graduated summa cum laude from Texas Wesleyan School of Law in 2008, and while in law school, served as the articles editor and staff member for the Texas Wesleyan Law Review.
Robert Van Amburgh — Van Amburgh serves clients with a focus on individual and corporate taxation issues, offering tax planning and other counsel on the financial aspects of business management. This includes private security offerings and mergers and acquisitions. When a lawsuit, settlement or other legal transaction has tax implications, he gets involved to ensure the client’s interests are protected from unexpected tax issues. Bob also helps clients develop employment contracts and executive compensation agreements with an eye on the tax aspects of these documents.
Macy Matthews — Matthews’ practice focuses on business and corporate transactions. She graduated cum laude from Baylor University School of Law in 2018, and during law school, she earned the Haley & Olson, P.C. Corporate Law Award and Larry T. Bates Excellence in Appellate Advocacy Award. In addition, she participated and served as a student coach in the Transactional Law Meet Team and was a member of the Baylor Public Interest Legal Society and Texas Aggie Bar Association.
