Avalon Lawyers

Hello, I’m a semi-retired, long-time US attorney with substantial experience in business and corporate law. I counsel startups and small businesses, help them set up corporations or LLCs across the country and draft a variety of contracts and corporate documents.

Dallas native, born and raised Started undergraduate studies as a pre-med student before switching to International Relations and finding my passion in law school Litigator with background in both employment law and commercial litigation representing small and mid-sized business, as well as Fortune 500 companies in cutting edge high stakes litigation.

I am a native of New Braunfels, Texas. After completing Bachelors of Arts in Political Science at the University of Texas Arlington, I joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) while completing a Masters of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration. I obtained Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin in 1984. I have been a member of the State Bar of Texas since 1985. I joined the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in 1986. I hold prior memberships in the College of the State Bar, American Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association,...

Wade McClure, a Partner of the Firm in the Dallas office, primarily represents companies and individuals in complex commercial litigation, including business divorce cases, fiduciary duty litigation and fraud litigation. Wade also works on matters involving claims of minority shareholder oppression, investment fraud, and oil and gas disputes. Over the past thirty years, Wade has also represented manufacturers in products liability matters throughout Texas and the Southwest. Wade is a seasoned trial lawyer who is one of the few attorneys in the country to be Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the...

Stephen Kennedy has been practicing law since 1988 in the areas of general litigation, intellectual property and related business areas. He has an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell, is a Texas Super Lawyer and is a member for the Dallas Bar Association Ethics Committee.

I am a dynamic and highly strategic corporate attorney with over 9 years of commercial contract expertise and a proven track record of balancing legal and business priorities to facilitate purposeful growth. I work with owner operated businesses from start-up to sale. I guide businesses through entity formation, contract package formation, contract review and negotiation, employment policy formation, hiring practice formation, employee categorization, employee termination, and eventual sale. I earned my Juris Doctorate degree in 2013 from The University of Colorado Law School and my Bachelor of Science degree in Corporate Communication, as well as a Business Foundation Certification, from The...

Gwen (Pilgrim) Bhella is managing partner at the boutique law firm of Calhoun, Bhella & Sechrest, LLP. She focuses her practice on business disputes, insurance and reinsurance coverage, products liability and general litigation.

I am a small firm attorney here in Dallas, TX and I want to show you that smaller is better. I take on a limited number of clients at one time to ensure that every single one receives my undivided attention and care. My clients know they can call me at the office or at home anytime and that their satisfaction is my priority.

Rob is the "go to" lawyer for his clients when a dispute arises, no matter the issue. He is a trial lawyer who routinely appears on both sides of the docket, regardless if his client is a giant, multi-billion dollar company or an individual seeking justice.

Rob's peers have recognized his commitment to excellence; he has been named a Texas Rising Star each of the past nine years by Super Lawyers®. Selection to this list is a distinction limited to 2.5% of all lawyers in Texas. For the past four years, Rob was distinguished further as one of the "Up-and-Coming...

Sean Tracey is a board certified Personal Injury and Civil Trial lawyer with over 20 years of experience representing injured victims. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of science in the courtroom, epidemiology, and trial techniques.

We are a Dallas based law firm that focuses on LLC formations and related LLC issues.

Experienced business and employment litigator. Also advise and handle construction and business matters. Named a Texas Super Lawyer in Employment Law. Handle state and federal cases in Texas and in other jurisdictions. Admitted to practice in all federal districts in Texas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court.

Charles McFarland has extensive experience representing property owners whose private property has been taken by the government for public use. His primary area of practice focuses on highway and roadway widening projects that impact retail, commercial, industrial and special use properties. He also has successfully represented clients affected by pipelines, electric transmission lines, flood control, and other public-use projects.

An honors graduate of both the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law, Charles was a partner at Vinson & Elkins before forming McFarland PLLC, a boutique law firm focusing exclusively on condemnation and eminent domain...

Michael R. Cramer’s practice includes extensive experience in business law, civil and commercial litigation, employment law, corporate law, construction law, real estate, civil defense and estate planning. Attorney Cramer has more than 21 years of practice. Michael developed a statewide practice focused on litigation. His cases range from breach of contract to construction delay claims against the State of Texas. He also works with Family Law and Divorce cases. His business litigation practice includes the representation of corporations of all sizes. Michael has considerable experience in assisting corporations to avoid litigation through consultancy and risk avoidance. He counsels business...

If you are thinking about filing for divorce, have a family law related case or need help with visitation or a child custody matter, contact our firm today, our experienced attorneys will be able to guide you through the process and will be able to handle your case. Call our firm today!

Ms Coffman works exclusively in the areas of bankruptcy and tax law. She earned her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law where she was honored with the Outstanding Tax Clinic Law Student/Attorney award. Ms Coffman has helped hundreds of clients reorganize or eliminate overwhelming debt, avoid foreclosures, repossessions, and tax garnishments. Most clients are able to keep their homes, their cars, and their personal possessions, even when filing for bankruptcy protection from creditors. Ms Coffman believes with her vast experience, she can help you to get a financial fresh start.

Mr. Harrist offers affordable, effective assistance for appeals, litigation, personal injury, and immigration matters.

John M. Groce, Jr. was born in Waco and raised in Colleyville before he started working as a young paralegal with his father and grandfather. John graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1992 from Baylor University, with a major in English and a minor in Rhetoric & Argumentation before attending Texas Tech University School of Law, where he graduated in 1995 with a Juris Doctor degree. John was later admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1995. During his time as an attorney, he has had extensive trial experience in personal injury law.

Aaron P. Peacock is a registered patent attorney and associate at Gagnon, Peacock, & Vereeke, P.C. He has Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He received his Juris Doctorate degree in law from the Franklin Pierce Law Center in New Hampshire. His practice focus is in intellectual property law, specifically patent, trademark and copyright law. He has prosecuted before the United States Patent and Trademark Office as well as the United States Copyright Office. Aaron is also an active member of the Dallas Bar Association and the Federalist Society. With his unique background in...

I was born and raised in Abilene, Texas, having attended, and graduationg from, Abilene Christian School all 12 grades. I went on to get a BBA in Accounting from ABilene Christian University before going to law school at Texas Tech University School of Law. After graduating law school I started working for Isaac M. Castro in Hamlin, Texas. In 1999 I was made a partner in the new law firm Castrro & Davis, L.L.P. Subsequently, in August 2000, I moved to Cleburne, Texas, and went to work as in-house counsel for gimmeabid.com, then located in Dallas, Texas....

Michael P. “Mike” Metcalf d/b/a Metcalf Mediation & Arbitration Services is engaged in the practice of law that centers on the mediation and arbitration of civil disputes. Judge Metcalf has more than 50 years of legal experience that includes service in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp, as a District Attorney, District Judge and trial lawyer. Mike, a trial lawyer, is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law.

Judge Metcalf was a judicial pioneer who recognized the need for litigants to seek a resolution to their case before trial....

Isreal focuses his practice on tax and estate planning. He advises clients on how to minimize estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as the implementation and administration of complex estate planning structures. Isreal is Board Certified in Tax Law and Estate Planning & Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner, and a Personal Financial Specialist. Before going into private practice, Isreal served for five years as a trial attorney for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, where he personally handled over 1,700 cases, including over 850 cases...

Cole McNiel is a personal injury lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers. He has years of experience representing injured clients in Texas and has helped the law firm recover millions in settlements and verdicts. Cole has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for his successful representation of Texas accident victims. Cole frequently represents clients in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, oil field accidents, and other personal injuries. Cole takes pride in using his knowledge and skills to help clients out of challenging situations and never shies away from a battle...

Steve Sapp has extensive experience in the representation of clients in both public and private offerings of debt and equity securities, corporate and securities reporting and compliance matters, Board of Directors representation, and mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, he represents many of his public and private corporate clients, both nationally and internationally, in the prosecution and protection of substantial technology and intellectual property portfolios, related administrative proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and disputes concerning trademark rights, domain names, and copyrights on the Internet. Due to the breadth of his experience and aptitude for client service, he also...

The Chavarria Law Firm is a full service immigration law firm that represents clients from all over the world. Our firm handles a variety of cases including immigrant visas, nonimmigrant visas, citizenship, lawful permanent residency, VAWA, deferred action, TPS, and asylum. We represent clients before federal immigration courts, USCIS, BIA, and the US Department of State.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics, Baylor University
Juris Doctor, Baylor University School of Law
Clerked with the Dallas Probate Court under the Honorable Judge Nikki DeShazo. Served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) following children through the termination of their parents' rights.
Worked with Arlington elder law attorney Charles Kennedy on probate, guardianship, and bankruptcy matters. Worked as an Attorney Advisor to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Disaster Assistance, closing loans for homeowners and businesses in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes.
Prior to law school, spent 5 years as a web and database programmer for companies including...

Mary Kate Brown is a dedicated attorney committed to providing exceptional legal representation and advocating for her client's best interests. She earned her undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. Her passion for the law led her to pursue her Juris Doctor from St. Mary's School of Law in San Antonio, where she honed her legal analysis and advocacy skills. While at St. Mary’s she served as a Staff Writer and an Executive Board Member for the Law Review. During her studies, she gained valuable experience by interning at the Hays County District Attorney’s Office and the Third Court...

Ms. Sussana Ampem was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, and immigrated to the United States with her family when she was six years old. With two generations of immigrants in her family, Ms. Ampem understands the frustrations and challenges that come with relocating one's family to the United States. Because of her personal experience going through the immigration process, Ms. Ampem has always known that she wanted to become an attorney to work on behalf of those who did not have a voice in the American legal system. Ms. Ampem is an Immigration lawyer who counsels and guides...

Brett Chisum joined McCathern as an Associate in 2012. He currently practices in all areas of civil litigation, with a focus in employment litigation, the mortgage and banking industry, and federal compliance matters for mortgage loan servicers based on the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Brett worked with one of the largest preparers of residential mortgage documents in the country, and prepared them for the sweeping industry-wide changes associated with the Dodd-Frank Act. He continues to work with that company at McCathern, ensuring it meets compliance standards for every state in which it transacts business. Brett also...

John Freeman's primary areas of practice are employment law, civil litigation and related areas of business litigation. He regularly advises clients regarding employment law practices, non-competes, discrimination and other employment related matters.

Mr. Freeman was born in Jackson, Tennessee, in 1945. He received his bachelor's degree from Baylor University in 1967, and served in the United States Navy from 1967 – 1969 as a Supply Officer aboard the USS Duval County, LST-758. He attended law school at the Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was an Associate Editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review in 1972 and 1973, and from which...

Darren Harrington is a shareholder whose principal area of practice is focused on representing local, national, and international corporations and their officers in cases involving trade secrets, non-compete agreements, union issues, personnel, and government regulatory matters. He has been recognized as one of the premier Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defense counselors in the country, and is regularly called upon by employers to enforce and defend against restrictive covenants such non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, as well as defend against claims under the various anti-discrimination in employment statutes, the minimum wage and overtime requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act...

Attorney Jesse Hoffman joined McCathern, PLLC in 2011 from the Texas Attorney General’s Office and now has a thriving business litigation and appellate practice with McCathern, PLLC.

Mr. Hoffman represents some of the most promising and successful businesses in the nation, and is routinely recognized for his accomplishments by both clients and respected legal publications. He specializes in Civil, Business & Employment Litigation, and serves as Outside General Counsel for corporate clients. Mr. Hoffman is licensed to practice in all Texas State Courts, all Federal District Courts in Texas, and in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Hoffman earned his bachelor’s...

Cheryl received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and her law degree from Texas Tech School of Law. Cheryl was rated as a Super Lawyer for 2019. Cheryl has been both a vice president and president of the Border Bankruptcy Bar. A member of the State Bar of Texas, she served in the prestigious position of Law Clerk to Justice Ann McClure of the Eighth Court of Appeals. She has been an officer and member of the El Paso Women's Bar Association and is a member of the College of the State Bar. Cheryl is...

Ms. Mills is an experienced Copyright, Trademark and Business Litigation attorney providing strong representation for small and mid-sized business clients in Federal and Texas State Courts and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Ms. Mills is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas and is Generally admitted in the Northern District of Illinois.

Ms. Mills represents Defendants and Plaintiffs in a broad range of business litigation matters, including copyright and trademark infringement, unfair competition, business disparagement, misappropriation of trade secrets,...