Molly L. Pela

Biography

Molly is a trial lawyer who has successfully tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels across Texas. Her broad experience in commercial litigation, construction defect matters, oil and gas issues, and personal injury provides a valuable perspective on the operational and strategic challenges businesses face when litigation arises.

Molly remains committed to early case evaluation and creative resolution strategies. She works closely with clients to assess risk, identify business priorities, and develop a litigation plan that minimizes disruption and cost while protecting what matters most. Molly is a trusted advocate for clients navigating complex disputes by bringing a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to every matter.

Education

  • St. Mary’s School of Law – J.D., 2004
  • Texas A&M University – B.S. Political Science, 2001

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Energy & Resources by Thomson Reuters (2024–2025)
    Fewer than 5% of attorneys in the state are selected annually
  • Inaugural Legal 500’s U.S. Elite – Houston

Speaking Engagements & Presentations

  • From Derricks to Data Centers: Evolution of the New Landman – West Texas Energy Institute, October 2025
  • AI and Oil and Gas: Where Technology Meets Energy – NHAPL Seminar, March 2025
  • Essential Guidance for Negotiating JOAs – FNREL/AAPL – Advanced Landman’s Institution, November 2024
  • Panel for Women’s Leadership – AAPL Women in Energy, October 2024
  • The DOJ and Environmental Justice in the Oil Patch – 42nd Annual Advanced Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Course, September 2024
  • Using the Force: A Survey of Forced Compulsory Pooling Laws Across the Country – PALTA Webinar, June 2024
  • Interpretation of Instruments – DFW-ALTA, February 2024
  • Blinded by the Light: AI’s Impact on Legal and Landman – Internal Webinar; HAPL Technical Workshop; AAPL Southwest Land Institute, January 2024; April 2024; August 2024
  • Protecting Against Reptile Theory Litigation – Internal Webinar, September 2023

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Texas Bar College – Member
  • Texas Bar Foundation – Life Fellow

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Court: Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas

Jake A. Walsh

Biography

Jake Walsh is an attorney in Cokinos | Young’s Houston office. His practice focuses on construction law and commercial litigation, with experience assisting in matters involving breach of contract, mechanics’ and materialmen’s liens, business disputes, and construction-related claims.

Jake earned his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law, where he received the High A honors in both Patent Law and LARC 3: Persuasive Communication and was recognized on the Dean’s List multiple times. During law school, he competed on the American Association for Justice Mock Trial Competition Team and the Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition Team, served as a Baylor Law Student Ambassador, was a member of the Baylor Barrister Society, and worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Tang.

While at Baylor for his undergraduate degree, Jake was a member of the Varsity Baseball Team from 2018 to 2020.

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2025
    • The High A in Patent Law
    • The High A in LARC 3: Persuasive Communication, Section 1
    • Dean’s Academic Honor List
  • Baylor University – B.B.A., Real Estate, Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, 2022
    • Dean’s Academic Honor List

Judicial Experience

  • Judicial Intern for the Honorable Martin Hoffman, 68th Civil District Court, Dallas County

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Abby D. Cheek

Biography

Abby Cheek is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice primarily focuses on personal injury, wrongful death, and commercial litigation. She is also a certified mediator with experience assisting parties in resolving landlord-tenant, debt collection, and business disputes. Abby earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law.

During law school, Abby mediated cases in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic, served as Symposium Editor for the Journal of the Energy Law Practitioner, was elected Vice President of Student Organizations for the Student Bar Association, and competed on the ABA Client Counseling Team.

Education

  • Texas Tech University School of Law – J.D., 2025
  • Texas A&M University – B.A., 2021.

Publications

  • “Capacity Crisis: The Widening Gap Between Renewable and Dispatchable Resource Capacity,” Journal of the Energy Law Practitioner, Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024)

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Texas Aggie Bar Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Alexis M. Acevedo

Biography

Alexis Acevedo is an associate in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Her practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation and construction law. During law school, she held positions on the boards of the Hispanic Law Students Association, Phi Delta Phi, and the Tax Law Society. She clerked for the Honorable Mike Engelhart of the Texas 151st District Court and was a member of the South Texas College of Law Moot Court team, which ranked third in the nation in 2025.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law Houston – J.D., magna cum laude, 2025
    • Construction Law Journal, Student Editor
    • Dean’s Honor List
    • Presidential Fellow
    • Order of the Lytae
  • Trinity University – B.A. Political Science, 2022

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Two-time CALI Excellence Award Recipient
  • Benny and Marina Agosto, Sr., Award

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member of the National Order of Scribes – The American Society of Legal Writers (Inducted in 2025)
  • Mexican American Bar Association
  • Houston Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2025)

Jonah M. Fritz

Biography

Jonah Fritz is an associate in Cokinos |Young’s Dallas Office. Jonah’s practice primarily focuses on construction, real estate, and commercial litigation. His experience includes litigating matters before federal and state courts in Texas, appeals to the Texas Supreme Court, as well as the American Arbitration Association. Growing up in a family of general contractors, Jonah developed a passion for understanding and working with construction and real estate development issues.

Jonah received his J.D. from Texas A&M School of Law in May of 2022, where he served on the Texas A&M Journal of Property Law. During his law school career, he had the opportunity to intern with the Honorable Chief Justice Bonnie Sudderth of the Texas 2nd Court of Appeals. Jonah’s interest in construction law deepened when he worked as a fall clerk at a large commercial construction & architectural company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. As an undergraduate at Texas A&M, Jonah majored in Political Science with a minor in Sociology.

Education

  • Texas A&M School of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2022
  • Texas A&M University – B.A. Political Science, 2019

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Construction Law, Litigation – Construction, and Real Estate Law (2026)

Representative Experience

  • State, Federal Court, and AAA Arbitration litigation experience representing General Contractors, Subcontractors, Commercial Owners, Commercial Tenants, Suppliers, and Homeowners.
  • Extensive experience filing and litigating Chapter 53 Lien and Bond Claims.
  • Experience dealing with experts and expert reports in construction defect and delay claim disputes.
  • Experience negotiating and drafting commercial construction contracts, including modifying AIA standard form contracts.
  • Experience advising commercial clients in preserving claims against defaulting owners and contracts.
  • Experience assisting commercial clients in pursuing claims for delays, unpaid base contract balance work, and unpaid change order work.
  • Experience in defending against construction defect and delay claims.
  • Experience in litigating design defect claims.
  • Experience in insurance coverage disputes.
  • Experience in assisting with appeals to the Texas Supreme Court.

Memberships & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Dallas County Bar Association
    • Construction Law Section
  • Dallas Young Lawyers Association
  • Tarrant County Bar Association
    • Construction Law Section
  • Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2022)
  • United States District Court: Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas

Community Involvement

  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Camp Kesem

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you provide your consent.

Read More