McKool Smith, headquartered in Dallas, describes itself as a trial firm, not a litigation firm.

That means whenever the firm takes on a matter for a client, it has one focus, said David Sochia, McKool Smith's managing principal.

“We expect the case is going to trial,” Sochia said, noting that beginning with intake, a case is readied for trial. “Even if we don't go to trial, clients and opposing counsel need to know that we will go to trial,” he added.