Fort Worth, TX, Mar. 10, 2011 – Law firm Winstead PC continues on an aggressive lateral hiring path with the addition of four attorneys to its Fort Worth office who will work in the firm's Energy and Environmental Law practice group. The attorneys include Jeffrey C. King, Jamie Lavergne Bryan, C. Scott Gladden, and Mitchell M. Murphy. King and Bryan join Winstead as shareholders, Gladden is of counsel, and Murphy is an associate. All four attorneys were formerly with K&L Gates. Winstead has added eight lateral attorneys firm-wide since January 2011. In 2010, Winstead ranked the highest among Texas law firms in lateral hires with a total of 21.

King brings to Winstead a practice focused entirely on oil and gas litigation. He represents a variety of clients including oil and gas producers, gas marketing companies, gas pipeline companies and gas processing companies, as well as national banks and other financial organizations. King is a highly respected attorney in his field with a proven record of winning cases in state and federal courts. He is a frequent presenter and published author on a variety of legal issues affecting the oil and gas industry. King received his J.D. cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review and the Board of Barristers.

Bryan's practice is 75 percent oil and gas litigation and 25 percent financial institution litigation. In addition to working with major energy clients, Bryan also represents financial institutions and investment companies. Like King, she has strong relationships in the Fort Worth community. Bryan has consistently been named a Texas Rising Star since 2004 and a 40 under 40 honoree in the Fort Worth market. Bryan received her J.D. cum laude from University of Houston Law Center, where she was a member of the University of Houston Law Review, Order of the Barons, and Moot Court team.

Gladden has an oil and gas transactional practice. He was in-house with Merit Energy Company, LLC, for almost eight years, the last two as general counsel, and has broad experience in all aspects of the exploration, production and midstream segments of the oil and gas industry. He is Board Certified in oil, gas & mineral law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Gladden received his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law.

Murphy's practice focuses on business litigation with an emphasis in oil and gas litigation. He received his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law, and was a member of the Order of the Barristers and National Mock Trial Team.

Winstead is among the largest business law firms in Texas. Winstead attorneys and consultants serve as trusted advisors to mid-market and large businesses, providing a core range of legal services that are critical to their operation and success. From its well-known reputation in real estate and financial services to its corporate and high-stakes litigation practice, Winstead delivers practical knowledge and responsive service. And it's all backed by a get-it-done attitude. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. For detailed information about Winstead, visit www.winstead.com.