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"They took the weight off my shoulders."
– RH&A Client
"They took the weight off my shoulders."
– RH&A Client

Eight Attorneys with Rusty Hardin & Associates Selected to Best Lawyers in America 2022

Naomi Howard and Emily Smith earn additional “Ones to Watch” honors 

HOUSTON – The powerhouse trial and appellate team at Rusty Hardin & Associates continues to be recognized among the top practitioners in the country, with eight of the firm’s lawyers earning repeat honors in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. 

Firm founder Rusty Hardin, partners Lara HollingsworthTerry D. Kernell, and Joe Roden, senior attorney Marcie McFarland, and associates Naomi Howard and Emily Smith are included in the latest listing of the nation’s top attorneys. Of counsel Cathy Cochran was also selected to the listing prior to her passing earlier this year. 

Adding to the firm’s accolades, Ms. Howard and Ms. Smith were each honored as “Ones to Watch.” Ms. Smith was selected based on her work in commercial litigation and Ms. Howard for her appellate practice. Attorneys receiving this honor are those who have received the highest overall peer feedback for their specific practice area and region.  

Since its launch in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America list has become widely regarded as a leading guide to excellence in legal services. It is the oldest peer-review guide for lawyers in the U.S., showcasing the country’s top attorneys. Best Lawyers honorees are selected through a rigorous review process that includes confidential evaluations by other lawyers in the same and related specialties. For more information about Best Lawyers’ methodology and for a complete list of this year’s honorees, visit http://www.bestlawyers.com/

“The level of care each of our attorneys extends towards clients is something that has always made me proud. What elevates that sentiment is seeing so many of them either earning repeat selection to Best Lawyers, or in Emily and Naomi’s case, achieving greater recognition for their work,” said Mr. Hardin. “These are outstanding lawyers that I am fortunate to work with, and I want to extend a very enthusiastic congratulations to all the attorneys who were honored this year.”  

Mr. Hardin opened his firm in 1996 and quickly rose to become one of the nation’s best-known trial lawyers. He is recognized this year in two categories:  white-collar criminal defense and commercial litigation.  

Joining Mr. Hardin on the 2022 list is Lara Hollingsworth.  As a seasoned appellate attorney, Ms. Hollingsworth has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2020. Her advocacy skills and expertise at guiding individuals and corporations through legal and appellate issues is one of the many reasons clients continue to turn to her for representation.   

In addition to his appellate work, Joe Roden received honors this year in the categories of white-collar criminal defense and personal injury litigation – plaintiffs. He focuses exclusively on civil cases, continuing to expand his expertise and secure favorable outcomes for clients. He has been named to Best Lawyers each year since 2018.    

With nearly 30 years of experience handling cases in federal and state courts as well as in domestic and international arbitration, Terry Kernell focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and regularly serves as lead counsel for both plaintiffs and defendants. He is being recognized by Best Lawyers in 2022 for commercial litigation.  

Marcie McFarland is once again being honored for her work in commercial litigation. Ms. McFarland works exclusively on civil cases.  

Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP has built a solid reputation for taking on the causes of its clients and obtaining favorable results in civil matters, significant criminal cases, and appellate fights. For more information, please visit http://www.rustyhardin.com/