Megan L. Foy

Biography

Megan Foy is a litigation attorney in the firm’s Houston office. Her practice focuses on catastrophic injury, wrongful death, premises liability, construction defect, and multi-district litigation. Her experience includes handling car accidents, plant explosions, and a broad range of related matters.

Megan earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in law and justice from North Carolina State University and her law degree from Campbell University School of Law.

Education

  • Campbell University School of Law – J.D., 2018
    • Order of Old Kivett Advocacy Award
  • North Carolina State University – B.A. Political Science, 2015

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Houston Young Lawyers Association

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • South Carolina Bar
  • North Carolina State Bar

Dean R. Quinn

Biography

Having served as a general counsel for nearly twenty-five years, Dean has extensive executive-level legal experience supporting complex engineering and construction enterprises, including public and privately held international organizations that provide engineering, procurement, and construction services across the refining, chemical, petrochemical, midstream, power, infrastructure, and pulp and paper industries, as well as governmental entities.

Dean also has experience overseeing enterprise-wide legal and risk functions, including corporate governance and secretarial matters, contracts, real estate, litigation management, insurance, human resources, and broader risk management initiatives. His responsibilities have also included leadership of compliance, government relations, and human resources functions.

Earlier in his career, he served as senior counsel for a global engineering and construction company, where his practice focused primarily on international transactions in the chemical, processing, and refining industries. Prior to moving in-house, he practiced as a trial lawyer for approximately 13 years, handling domestic and international litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on construction, professional malpractice, and complex commercial disputes.

Education

  • Texas Tech University School of Law – J.D., 1985
  • Texas Tech University – B.B.A. Finance, 1982

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Texas Tech University School of Law Distinguished Service Award
  • AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings, the highest rating possible

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
  • Houston Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
  • American Leadership Forum, Senior Fellow

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas

Community Involvement

  • William A Brookshire Foundation – Director
  • The Council on Recovery Houston
    • Board of Trustees (2009–2015, 2019–2021) – Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary
    • Foundation Board (2015–2019, 2021–current) – Chair, Vice Chair
  • Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business – Advisory Council
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Chair, National Committee on Risk Management; Faculty Member – National Leadership Training School
  • Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and St. Michael the Archangel Parish – Instituted Acolyte
  • West University Little League – General Counsel and Secretary
  • St. Thomas High School – Chair, Annual Fund

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)

Justin T. Winquist

Biography

Justin litigates all phases of lawsuits in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations, across the country. Whether defending his clients or prosecuting their claims, Justin’s experience on both the defense and plaintiff sides gives him valuable insight into opposing strategies, an edge he uses to anticipate adversaries’ moves, adapt astutely, and maneuver through conflict to victory.

Justin handles a broad range of disputes with the dexterity of a specialist in each one. He has represented clients in commercial disputes, insurance disputes, personal injury cases, and product liability claims, consistently delivering results through strategic, well-reasoned advocacy. With his passion for writing and creative problem-solving, Justin is particularly recognized for his ingenuity and success in handling high-stakes motions and appellate matters.

In every dispute, Justin anchors his approach in client service.  He develops a deep understanding of his clients’ businesses to assess risks and rewards from their perspective.  Armed with that knowledge, Justin tells his clients’ stories with zealous advocacy to advance their immediate and long-term objectives.

Known for his analytical savvy and persuasiveness backed by practicality, Justin is a trusted fighter standing at the ready for his clients, litigating complex and consequential lawsuits.

Education

  • American University, Washington College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2009
  • Northwestern University – B.S., 2005

Memberships & Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association

Admissions

  • Colorado Bar
  • State Bar of Montana
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits
  • United States District Court: District of Colorado
  • United States District Court: District of Nebraska

Matthew S. Williams

Biography

Matthew S. Williams is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young, where he is a member of the Corporate & Real Estate Transactions practice group. Matthew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2024
  • University of Houston – B.A. Finance, 2020

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • South Texas Law Review, Member
  • Presidential Fellow
  • Dean’s Honor List
  • Dean’s Merit Scholarship
  • Two-time CALI Excellence Award Recipient

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas (2024)
  • United States District Court: Southern District of Texas

Mason L.H. Grayson

Biography

Mason L. H. Grayson is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. Grayson’s practice covers a wide range of areas from major infrastructure litigation, commercial and residential construction disputes, environmental and natural resource law, energy-related disputes and personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law – J.D., 2023
  • Baylor University – B.A. History, cum laude, 2020
    – Dean’s Academic Honor List

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas

Samuel T. Pendergast

Biography

Samuel Pendergast is an attorney in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young. His practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation, construction law, and special proceedings related to judicial enforcement and post-judgment remedies. Samuel received his undergraduate degree from Baylor University and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston. During law school, Samuel was selected by his peers to serve as the Executive Editor of the South Texas Law Review, where he assisted in the publication of various academic materials written by judges, law professors, and other legal professionals.

Education

  • South Texas College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 2024
    – Executive Editor, South Texas Law Review
    – Dean’s Honor List
    – Dean’s Merit Scholarship
    – Presidential Fellows
  • Baylor University – B.A., Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation, 2021
    – Dean’s Academic Honor List

Recognitions & Distinctions

  • Dean Elizabeth Dennis Award for Distinguished Service
  • Two-Time CALI Excellence Award Recipient

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Courts: Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas
  • United States Bankruptcy Courts: Southern and Western Districts of Texas

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