‘Best of the Best’ : Wright Close Barger & Guzman Earns Top-Tier Honors in 2026 Best Law Firms Guide

Firm receives national and local recognition in several practice areas

Wright Close Barger & Guzman has been named to the 2026 Best Law Firms guide compiled by The Best Lawyers in America, one of the nation’s most highly regarded legal listings.

The firm received national recognition for its appellate practice, and earned Tier 1 rankings, the highest ranking possible, for its expertise in appellate practice, commercial litigation, insurance, personal injury litigation for defendants, and trust and estate litigation in the Houston metro area.

Best Law Firms honorees are selected through survey results and feedback from both clients and peer attorneys.

“I have worked with Tom Wright, Jessica Barger and the rest of the Wright Close Barger & Guzman appellate team for 20+ years on a multitude of complex legal issues, all of which involved high-dollar outcomes,” one client told Best Law Firms researchers. “While their brief-writing and oratory skills are superb, it is their ability to distill complicated fact and legal patterns into coherent, persuasive and winning arguments that sets them apart from other appellate practitioners. Their comprehension of the nuances in the appellate arena is a remarkable advantage. They are creative and fearless in their approach, and they have my full confidence.”

Other clients called the firm the “best of the best” and “the cream of the crop in appellate practice.” Another client called WCBG their “go-to appellate firm in Texas.”

“Wright Close Barger & Guzman is always my first choice for complex commercial cases, both at the trial court and appellate court levels,” said a client.

Another client echoed the sentiment. “Wright Close Barger & Guzman is my first choice when considering appellate assistance in Texas. They have a strong and deep bench of appellate attorneys, take a pragmatic approach to legal issues, and have a strong track record of appellate success.”

“We have served as co-counsel and as opposing counsel,” said another client. “Wright Close Barger & Guzman is one of the best appellate firms in Texas.”

“Earning prestigious Tier 1 rankings from Best Law Firms in different practice areas is a testament to the specialized skill and consistent results our attorneys work to deliver,” said WCBG managing partner Russ Hollenbeck. “We are incredibly proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s top law firms and even more proud that our clients turn to us during challenging times.”

To be eligible, a firm must have at least one attorney recognized by The Best Lawyers in America. Eighteen WCBG lawyers were recognized in the 2026 edition.

The firm has celebrated numerous other accolades this year, including recognition from Chambers USA, Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Rising Stars, Lawdragon, and Texas Lawyer’s Texas Legal Awards.