Kessler Collins

The stakes were high, the clues were plentiful, and the clock was ticking.

Our team recently traded their desks for an escape room challenge at Escapology Dallas, where teamwork, communication, and more than a few dead ends put our collective problem-solving skills to the test.

After (somewhat) successfully navigating the escape room, we worked up an appetite and regrouped at Mesero afterward to unwind, enjoy great conversation, and spend some time together outside the office.

Watching people who usually communicate over email shout across a room to find a hidden key or decode a tricky puzzle is its own kind of team building. At Kessler Collins, we believe some of the strongest working relationships are built outside the conference room, and this event was a great reminder why.

Please join us in welcoming Samhita Kumar to Kessler Collins!

Samhita joins our litigation and transactional practice as an associate, advising businesses and individuals on commercial disputes and a wide range of business transactions. She takes a client-centered approach, understanding each client’s unique goals to develop practical strategies that serve both immediate needs and long-terms success.

Samhita earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center where she served as an Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy, competed on the school’s Alternative Dispute Resolution team, and worked as a student attorney in the Entrepreneurship and Community Development clinic, advising small businesses and nonprofits on formation, governance, and strategic legal matters.

We’re thrilled to have Samhita’s talent and client-first mindset on our team. Welcome, Samhita!

What can the legal world learn from a college quarterback’s NCAA gambling dispute? The answer, quite a bit.

The Brendan Sorsby NCAA case illustrates how internal enforcement decisions can quickly evolve into legal challenges involving athlete welfare, contractual rights, and court intervention.

In our latest In Brief , we examine the dispute and the key takeaways for sports organizations, regulators, and decision-makers.

Link to the article in our bio!

Depositions: necessary, costly, and often underestimated.

For attorneys and clients, the time spent preparing for a deposition is often just as important as the deposition itself and can make all the difference, not just in building a record, but in overall case outcomes.

Our latest ‘In Brief’ shares practical guidance for how both attorneys and clients can navigate this critical phase with confidence.

Read the article in our bio or here: https://www.kesslercollins.com/press/in-brief-building-a-record-why-depositions-are-worth-the-cost/

This Fourth of July, we celebrate 250 years of independence and the enduring principles of liberty, equal justice under the law, and the pursuit of truth. Those same values continue to guide our work and our commitment to serving our clients.

There’s plenty of work that fills a Summer Associate's calendar—but it’s the moments in between the project deadlines that make the experience truly memorable.

Recently, our Summer Associates and attorneys traded briefs for brie at an afternoon wine and cheese tasting hosted in our office, hosted by Scardello Artisan Cheese. Alongside thoughtfully paired pours and a generous spread, the highlight was the atmosphere: relaxed conversation, genuine connection, and the kind of camaraderie that helps turn a room full of colleagues into a supportive community.

Building great lawyers starts with investing in great people—and making space for moments like this along the way. Cheers! 🍷🧀

Most people think of copyright when they think of protecting creative work, but for visual artists, there’s another layer of protection that often gets overlooked: moral rights.

Under the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA), artists have protections that go beyond ownership. These rights cover attribution and integrity, allowing artists to claim authorship of their work and prevent distortion, destruction, or modification of works of “recognized statute.”

These protections aren’t just theoretical. They’re about preserving artistic authorship, protecting cultural touchpoints, and—when violated—can carry significant financial consequences.

In our latest Legal Alert, we take a closer look at what VARA covers, how courts evaluate “recognized stature,” and why copyright registration isn’t required to pursue monetary damages under the statute. We also break down Atkinson v. Shepherd, where a court awarded maximum statutory damages after a mural was painted over and re-signed, demonstrating how seriously these rights can be enforced.

If you or your business works with visual art, or you’re an artist navigating these issues, understanding VARA is essential, and our team is here to help.

Link to the full article in our bio or here: https://www.kesslercollins.com/press/legal-alert-the-cost-of-violating-an-artists-moral-rights-a-vara-case-study/

Please join us in welcoming Zecharias Embaye to Kessler Collins as an Associate in our transactional practice.

A graduate from St. Mary’s School of Law, Zecharias brings a broad, business-minded approach to advising clients across corporate transactions, commercial and residential real estate, healthcare, construction, business formation, licensing, and estate planning. His work is grounded in practical, solutions-oriented counsel that helps clients navigate complex deals and regulatory environments with clarity and confidence.

Before joining Kessler Collins, Zecharias served as in-house counsel for a healthcare system, advising on high-value, multifaceted projects—experience that continues to shape his practical, business-minded approach. He understands the operational, financial, and strategic factors behind decision-making, and is known for his responsiveness and client-first mindset, tailoring his advice to align with each client’s broader objectives and unique goals across industries.

Welcome to the team, Zecharias. We're excited for what's ahead!

Please join us in welcoming our newest shareholder, Scott Colley, to the firm!

Scott offers clients a rare, end-to-end perspective on real estate. Before practicing law, he worked in development and construction, gaining firsthand experience with site selection, appearing before governmental bodies, and learning the real estate industry from the ground up. He then spent 15 years as in-house general counsel to a development and construction company. That experience shapes his approach today: he evaluates every transaction not only as a lawyer but also as a developer, landlord, tenant, and investor, bringing practical, business-oriented insight to every deal.

Scott's practice focuses on commercial real estate development, acquisitions, leasing, and dispositions, as well as company formation and construction matters. From complex commercial deals to fast-moving and tight-deadline closings, clients value his deep industry knowledge, responsiveness, and focus on moving transactions forward. With Scott, clients get a strategic legal partner who understands what it takes to get deals done.

Welcome aboard, Scott. We're glad to have you!

Juneteenth reminds us that progress is powerful—and ongoing.

Today, we celebrate freedom, honor those who came before, and remain committed to creating a more equitable future for all.