Gray Reed is proud to announce that three attorneys have been recognized in JD Supra’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for their thought leadership and industry insights. Partner Charles Sartain, Partner Christian Dewhurst and Associate Gunner West were honored across the energy, construction and real estate categories.
Sartain claimed first place in the energy category, maintaining his distinction as an honoree every year since the awards’ inception in 2016. As author and editor of Energy & The Law, he provides energy executives, landmen and in-house attorneys with critical industry developments and their legal and business implications.
“I’m grateful that Energy & The Law continues to resonate with readers across the industry,” Sartain says. “Our focus has always been to provide clear, practical analysis of legal developments so professionals can better understand the risks and opportunities ahead.”
An experienced trial lawyer and arbitrator, Sartain focuses on resolving complex energy disputes in Texas and Louisiana through litigation, arbitration and negotiation. His clients include oil and gas producers, midstream transportation operators, and mineral and royalty owners.
Dewhurst was recognized in the construction category for his contributions to the firm’s Texas Construction Law Blog. His thought leadership reflects his practice representing clients in disputes arising from commercial and residential construction projects, including delay claims, design and construction defects, payment disputes and lien claims.
“Construction projects are complex and often fast-moving,” Dewhurst says. “Through the Texas Construction Law Blog, we aim to provide practical guidance that helps industry professionals manage risk and stay ahead of potential disputes.”
A construction litigator, Dewhurst represents owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and distributors. He also represents businesses in a broad range of commercial litigation matters and negotiates construction and general commercial transactions.
West earned recognition in the real estate category for his thought leadership and contributions to Energy & The Law, where he supports the publication’s coverage of legal and business issues impacting the energy industry.
West joined Gray Reed in 2024 after serving as a summer associate in 2023 and a law clerk in 2024. He has experience supporting a wide range of corporate transactions and takes a client-centered approach focused on understanding a client’s business objectives, operations and challenges.
The JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards honor authors for their visibility and thought leadership across 33 key industries.
About The Awards Selection Methodology
JD Supra editors chose the 33 main topics covered in this year's Readers' Choice Awards for their timeliness as well as their proven, ongoing importance. In each category, we recognize ten authors and one firm for consistently highest readership and engagement within that category for all of 2025. In total, across all categories, we recognized the excellence and achievement of 342 authors selected from over 70,000 who publish their excellent work on our platform.
About JD Supra
Through the innovative use of technology and curated audiences, JD Supra connects over 70,000 professionals writing on important topics to C-suite executives, in-house counsel, and media members concerned with matters impacting business today. JD Supra also provides firms with competitive insights and market intelligence derived from the thousands of articles being read daily across the platform. For more information, visit resources.jdsupra.com and check out last year's awards here.
About Gray Reed
Gray Reed is a full-service Texas law firm with a comprehensive range of litigation and transactional practices. Gray Reed’s more than 160 attorneys focus on understanding our clients’ businesses and industries, supporting companies and high-net-worth individuals with sophisticated legal needs. Through our subsidiary, Gray Reed Advisory Services, we extend our support with expert consultants who provide strategic business solutions tailored to each client’s objectives. Learn more at www.grayreed.com and www.grayreedadvisory.com.