Highland Park Lawyers

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

Mark’s practice focuses on product liability, personal injury, and commercial litigation. He has handled complex product liability cases involving children’s toys, home paper shredders, asbestos products, electrical safety devices such as GFCI outlets, and safety products such as air masks and safety scissors. In negligence cases, he handles claims against trucking companies, construction companies, and other professionals who fail to maintain the appropriate level of “ordinary care” expected from those in their profession. He has worked on many mass tort dockets, where large numbers of consumers have been injured by prescription drugs, pharmaceutical implants, or other mass-produced medical...

Patrick is a founding member of Powers Taylor, LLP. In 2004, Patrick decided to leave a large, prominent law firm in Dallas to pursue his passion of representing individuals and small businesses. His practice focuses exclusively on litigating complex business disputes, cases involving nursing home neglect, and shareholder class action cases across Texas and throughout the nation. Patrick has significant experience litigating complex business disputes and commercial transactions and representing clients in federal and state insurance claims. Patrick also has extensive experience handling a wide range of cases involving commercial debt and judgment collection, construction defect disputes, and...

Attorney Martin Valko of Dallas immigration law firm of Chavez & Valko, LLP, represents individuals and families from around the world, private and publicly traded companies in employment-based immigration, international Olympic and professional athletes, car racers, artists, and musicians in various non-immigrant and immigrant matters, and visas to foreign countries. Martin Valko has a first hand knowledge about the U.S. immigration laws as he has been through the entire process – from being a high-school exchange student, college student to an H-1B worker to his permanent residency and dual citizenship. Martin's clients greatly appreciate his in-depth understanding of the complex...

Mindy Sauter served as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice. She has served as both a federal prosecutor and as a state prosecutor, and has had the benefit of conducting hundreds of trials. Mrs. Sauter directed some of the most complex healthcare prosecutions, including cases of home health and hospice fraud, multi-jurisdictional FDA investigations, and durable medical equipment and pharmaceutical cases. She also prosecuted other complex white collar crimes, including public corruption cases, and Hobbs Act Cases on behalf of the United States government.

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.

Lakshmi Nayar was born in 1975 in Kerala, India. At the age of 6, her family migrated to Perth, Western Australia, where she resided until moving to Dallas in 1998. Lakshmi graduated from Murdoch University, Western Australia in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Politics and Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with Honors. In 1999, Lakshmi earned her Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Lakshmi’s interest in U.S. immigration law originated from her own experiences as an immigrant to the United States. After studying U.S. immigration law at the University of Michigan,...

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.

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...

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,...

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.

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...

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...

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...

Scott’s experience as an attorney over the last 30 years has evolved from primarily focusing on environmental issues to expanding to energy, water, and climate change. As a partner in large law firms, he has worked with clients to solve regulatory challenges in transactions, solid and hazardous waste, air emissions, wastewater, soil and groundwater contamination, federal and state Superfund matters, and generally in advising management and directors in environmental strategy, corporate governance, and financial disclosure.

Scott has advised clients in creative ways to capitalize on emerging technology such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and energy storage, as well...

I've practiced consumer bankruptcy since 2011 and have helped hundreds of good people find financial peace-of-mind. My clients find me honest and thorough. They know I care about them because I take the time and effort to make sure they understand how bankruptcy works and how it can work for them.

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.

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...

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...

Paula Lock Smyth is a family law attorney who is dedicated to providing effective and efficient representation to clients in Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding communities. She genuinely cares about her clients and invests in each and every case she handles, taking the time to ensure that clients understand all of their options so that they can make informed decisions about what is right for their family.

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...

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...

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.

Michael Kelsheimer focuses his practice on the employment law needs of Texas businesses and executive employees. He recognizes that the cost and expense of litigation make resolving employment disputes challenging. To help avoid these concerns, he utilizes his experience in and out of the courtroom to prevent or quickly resolve employment disputes through proactive employer planning and timely advice. When a dispute cannot be avoided, Michael relies upon his prior experience as a briefing attorney for the United States District Court and his extensive experience in employment and commercial lawsuits to secure favorable resolutions for his clients. Michael has experience in...

Joanna Whittaker, fondly called “Jo” by her close friends, is a dedicated attorney who has been an Arkansan through and through. Born and raised in Maumelle, Joanna attended North Little Rock High School (NLRHS) and later pursued higher education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), earning dual bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Human Services. Joanna completed her formal education at the Bowen School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate (JD). Before her legal career, Joanna worked closely with children, gaining valuable experience as a church nursery worker, camp counselor, and...

Described by colleagues as a “gym rat” in the courtroom, Bill Forteith still loves going into court and fighting for his clients in trial after almost forty years of exclusively practicing civil trial law. Trying hundreds of jury trials, his legal experience has literally gone from the cradle to the grave having represented clients involved in prenatal and neonatal care, daycare centers, nursing homes and even funeral homes. Yet trial work, such as automobile accidents and premises liability cases, excite him just as much as the more unusual cases. He believes that every client deserves the same passionate representation regardless...

Tiara A. Thomas is an attorney, speaker, and philanthropist. Throughout her career, she has helped her clients get the justice they deserve for being injured in both commercial and non-commercial vehicle crashes. In addition to personal injury, Tiara has represented clients in complex civil litigation claims, including breach of contract claims, civil fraud claims, Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims, & more! In 2022, she was selected as a “Top 40 Under 40 Attorney,” an honor given to only the top 40 under 40 African American lawyers in each state or region with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their...

I represent individuals and small-to-midsize businesses in a variety of litigation matters, with a primary emphasis on contract and construction disputes.

Affectionately known as Lulu to her family and friends, Lucy Fitzhugh brings a unique blend of Southern charm, tenacity, and legal prowess to Punchwork Law. Born and raised in the historic city of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Lucy’s journey to becoming a trusted member of the legal community has been marked by a passion for justice and a commitment to excellence. After completing her undergraduate studies in psychology at Louisiana State University, Lucy embarked on a transformative journey that took her from the bayous of Louisiana to the bustling streets of California. While in California, she immersed herself in the world of equestrian...

Personal Injury Litigation

For over 50 years Lou Fouts has represented thousands of clients who have sustained serious bodily injuries, or the loss of a loved one by wrongful death. He works zealously to achieve fairness and justice in securing recoveries for his clients. His career and reputation are distinguished by excellence and compassion for his clients. Both clients and other attorneys have recognized his tenacity and determination for his clients. Lou Fouts earned his B.B.A from S.M.U. and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin Law School in 1970. While repersenting individuals who...

I enjoy helping clients prevent foreclosure and receive maximum protection under the law. Naturally, it's a tough road that leads to a foreclosure situation, so our job is to help them out of the situation in the most painless, but also the most effective and beneficial way possible.

After graduating with a B.A. (summa cum laude) in Foreign Languages from Southern Methodist University, Raney obtained her law degree from SMU in 2001. She worked for three years in Paris, France before returning to the U.S. to work for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she advised clients on the intricacies of complex federal lending regulations. Raney currently represents criminal defense clients, with an emphasis on how criminal law relates to federal immigration law. She also handles a wide range of immigration issues including employment-based and family-based matters. Raney has also represented a several clients in...