Ponder Lawyers

Tom Trahan is proficient in all facets of family law, from out-of-court settlements to courtroom litigation. His deep understanding of the litigation process enhances the chances of reaching negotiated or amicable resolutions, as opposing counsel and clients often realize that finding common ground can lead to beneficial outcomes.

Megan was a family law paralegal for 16 years before becoming a family lawyer, and has seen firsthand what matters to clients: knowing their case is in good hands with an attorney who understands their personal situation and who is capable of providing personalized options for addressing their legal issues. With a combination of sound legal counsel and practical advice, Megan guides clients toward goal-oriented decision-making that positions them for a better future. Megan was named to the 2023 Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch © list in the field of Family Law.

I grew up around small businesses. One of my grandfathers was an insurance agent in Denton. My other set of grandparents owned a bookstore in Irving. My father ran a financial services company in north Dallas with about ten employees, and during high school I often worked in his office after classes. I spent my summers working on commercial construction sites and watching how each contractor depended on the others to perform their obligations. At Stanford I majored in economics, in part because of its importance to business. But for me the real draw was the way in which economics approaches...

Nathan Christensen grew up in the beautiful small town of Fillmore, Utah, where he spent as much time as possible playing in the mountains. After he turned 18 and graduated from high school, he left Fillmore and spent two years living and working in various cities in Honduras, where he became fluent in Spanish and developed a love for the people of Latin America.

In June 2002, he married his wife Tiffani, a girl from Texas, which meant he would be spending the rest of his life in Texas whether he knew it or not. In 2006, Nathan and Tiffani...

ABOUT BEN
Dallas-based attorney Benjamin Palatiere is a courtroom veteran with over 10 years of experience helping individuals, families, and businesses in civil disputes.


Education

Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, 2008
Texas State University, magna cum laude, 2005


Licensed/Admitted

Benjamin is admitted to the Texas Bar and licensed to practice in all district and county courts at law throughout the state.


Groups / Clubs

Dallas Young Lawyers Association
Sigma Alpha Epsilon

James P. Whalen is the owner of Whalen Law Office in Frisco, Texas.

James graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in May 1995 and was admitted to the Texas Bar in November 1995 and is admitted to practice in the federal courts of the Eastern, Northern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas, Northern District of Illinois, as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. James has been Board Certified in Criminal Law since 2002 and has been Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law since 2017. Mr. Whalen practices exclusively in federal...

Since 1994, Internet Lawyer Mike Young has been helping entrepreneurs protect, grow, buy, and sell ecommerce companies. Attorney Young focuses on business transactional law (no litigation).

Bryce E. Pearcy, a native of Granbury, Texas, is devoted to helping injured clients in DFW and around the country. After obtaining a Government degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Pearcy went back to his West Texas roots and received his JD from Texas Tech University School of Law. Mr. Pearcy worked with the Dispute Resolution Center and obtained qualification as a Texas Mediator while in law school. After law school, Mr. Pearcy moved to San Antonio to serve as an Assistant District Attorney with Bexar County. As a prosecutor, Mr. Pearcy tried dozens of misdemeanor criminal cases...

Stafford Sadler is a pre-litigation at the McCormick Law Firm, based in San Antonio, TX. His unwavering commitment to justice and diverse legal background, spanning personal injury, business litigation, family law, and estate planning, allow him to provide a unique perspective when representing clients. In his personal life, Mr. Sadler enjoys the outdoors, whether he is playing tennis, pickleball, skiing or exploring new and diverse places while traveling. He also has a keen interest in history, architecture, and animals. His love for adventure and embracing different cultures has created an open-minded and inclusive perspective that he brings to his practice. Attorney...

Brandon leads the firm's bankruptcy practice at Tittle Law Group, PLLC ("TLG"), with a focus on corporate reorganization, restructuring, acquisitions and litigation. He has a wealth of experience representing entities in their Chapter 7 and 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings and creditors' committees. His practice also includes extensive general bankruptcy litigation. He has extensive experience managing complex bankruptcy restructuring cases, both on a national and international scale. He provides seamless service to his restructuring clients facing complicated insolvency issues and has experience across multiple industries, including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, retail, and real estate. As the...

Joey Robison attended the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a bachelors degree in political science. He earned his doctorate of law at Oklahoma City Law School. Mr. Robinson has spent his entire career representing victims of negligence regarding their claims against insurance companies.

Austin Smith focuses his practice on litigation and dispute resolution. Austin has experience in handling a wide variety of matters in state and federal court, involving complex commercial and business disputes, fraud, personal injury, and criminal matters including white collar crime. From 2017 to 2018, Austin was honored to serve as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge Amos L. Mazzant in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. With Austin has been consistently selected by BestLawyers as “One to Watch” (2020-2022) and Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2021-2022) - a recognition that only 2.5%...

The Barrows Firm provides effective solutions in high conflict divorce cases, criminal and juvenile criminal matters, probate, guardianship and more.

LLM in Taxation, Georgetown University Law Center (in progress); J.D., Texas A&M School of Law; M.A. Cert. - Homeland Security, Texas A&M Bush School of Public Service; M.A in Texas Legal History, Baylor University; B.A. in History and Political Science, Baylor University I come from a multi-disciplinary educational background that has greatly influenced how I view the role of attorneys and our jobs as counselors of law. I am also an educator of over twelve years teaching at various community colleges and universities. In the past, I have taught Texas History, Texas Constitutional Law, U.S. Constitutional Law, and several intensive courses regarding the Civil War-era...

I have been on the Board of Directors of TRINITY METRO since 2013, served as Secretary 2015-2016 and Vice Chairman 2017-2019. TRINITY METRO operates all transportation services for Tarrant County, Texas, including bus, commuter rail, Zip Zone and Access for handicapped persons.
I have served on the Irving, Texas, Planning and Zoning Commission 1971-1975 and the Southlake, Texas, City Council 1992-1995.
I have been a member of the Grapevine Rotary Club since 1992 and served on their Board of Directors.
TEXAS MONTHLY Super Lawyer 2003 to present.
FORT WORTH MAGAZINE Top Lawyer 2009 to present.
Martindale-Hubbell AV rated & Preeminent Lawyers
Who's Who in American...

Fo over 20 years Jack Byno & Associates have represented clients with traffic tickets. This includes, but is not limited to fighting speeding tickets, lifting traffic warrants, defending CDL & trucking violations, contesting drivers license suspensions, and arguing DWI & DUI charges. As a former Municipal Court Judge, Jack Byno brings a unique view point to traffic ticket defense work. He has represented thousands of clients across the greater Dallas - Fort Worth area, including as far East as Hunt County and West as Weatherford. Call us today to determine what can be done with your case at...

Paul G. Daly has a strong desire to help people resolve their legal issues. Since joining Anderson Legal Group, P.C., in August of 2012, Mr. Daly has resolved a variety of family law (including adoptions, divorces, custody disputes, and child support modifications) and criminal law cases for his clients.

Education and Goals
In addition to his Law Degree, Mr. Daly also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Anthropology, or the study of the physical, cultural and societal developments of people. As such, Mr. Daly has a deep understanding of a wide range of cultural backgrounds and ideologies....

The Barber Law Firm is a full service personal injury law firm that helps injured victims throughout Texas receive the compensation they deserve. Jared earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. While in law school, Jared competed in nearly every advocacy competition the school hosted—ultimately winning a national championship in the 2012 National ABA Arbitration Competition. Jared was elected as Vice Chair of Trial Advocacy on the Texas Tech Board of Barristers, an invitation-only organization that helps students develop advocacy skills at all levels of a case. Jared graduated with honors and was inducted into the...

Dina Steele has over 15 years of practicing in personal injury law. being the lead attorney at Steele Law Firm, P.C., she has the experience and knowledge in details of how the process of personal injury cases work. The keys to success are integrity, communication, and trust.

We understand nobody desires to hire an attorney. But serious circumstances require a seriously-effective attorney. Whatever issue you face, you don’t have to face it alone. Let us help you solve your problem so you can get on with your life.

McKenna White is a skilled attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and pending licensure in the State of New Mexico. With a passion for justice and a strong educational background, McKenna is committed to providing exceptional legal representation to her clients. McKenna earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in 2022. Prior to pursuing her legal career, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education from Texas State University in 2019. Her diverse educational background equips her with a broad perspective and a comprehensive understanding of...

Mark has been licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas to practice in Texas state courts since November 1, 2013. Mark attended the University of North Texas in Denton, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in August 2005. He studied law at Texas Wesleyan School of Law and graduated with his Juris Doctor in May 2013, after which the school became Texas A&M University School of Law in the fall of 2013. Mark served in the United States Army from August 2005 until July 2009. He was stationed in Germany most of that...

I understand that financial hardships can affect honest, hard-working people. Growing up in a very blue collar family and rural area of Indiana , money didn't always come easy for my parents. The struggles my family faced in my childhood made a significant impression on my business philosophy today. I am licensed to practice law in the United States Supreme Court, the State of Texas, both the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas Federal Courts. I have represented well over 10,000 bankruptcies since 2003. I have worked out over 5000 IRS tax problems since 2003. I have also represented...

A graduate of Tarleton State University and Oklahoma City University School of Law, during which he was inducted as a Member of the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi - Hand Inn, Chad Allman founded Allman Law, a general practice firm, in 2007 with the intent of serving those in need. Having grown up in a large family, Chad easily relates to people, allowing him to be sensitive to his client’s needs. 

Michael Galyen is the firm’s Executive Vice President and a trial attorney practicing out of Bailey & Galyen’s Fort Worth, TX office. Michael specializes in personal injury litigation, representing those who have been hurt in Work Injuries, Truck Wrecks, Car Wrecks, and Premises Liability matters. Michael prides himself on client satisfaction and zealous representation for his clients throughout his time practicing at Bailey & Galyen. Michael has secured multiple seven-figure recoveries on behalf of his clients, earning himself a place in the “Million Dollar Advocates Forum”. Moreover, Michael was named to the National Trial Lawyers “Top 40 under 40” which is...

Doug Wright is a native of Fort Worth who graduated from Paschal High School in 1972 before earning a Bachelor’s of Business Administration at the University of Texas at Austin in 1976. He then attended St. Mary University School of Law. After graduating and getting licensed in 1979 he returned to Fort Worth where his father was a Family District Judge and began his legal career.After being in private practice for almost 30 years Mr. Wright joined the firm of Bailey & Galyen in 2009 as Managing Attorney of the Fort Worth Office. He has committed his practice to Family...

Jane Mapes has been practicing law for 26 years and has devoted her practice to Family Law for the past 16 years, in Texas. Prior to relocating to Texas in 1996, she concentrated on real estate and personal injury law in the State of Florida, where she went to law school, and was admitted to the Bar in 1988. Upon moving to Texas, Ms. Mapes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas, and began practicing with a general practice law firm in Grand Prairie, where she familiarized herself with the courts in Tarrant and Dallas Counties. Jane then joined...

J.C. was admitted to the bar and to practice before the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas in 1988. He received his undergraduate degree from Abilene Christian University and his law degree from the Baylor University School of Law. J.C. is a member of the Order of Barristers, the State Bar of Texas, and the Tarrant County Bar Association. A frequent speaker on a wide array of subjects, he enjoys making presentations for professional groups, businesses, churches and schools. Addressing challenges in a constructive and professional manner is the highest priority of Mr. Bailey’s practice. J.C. has...

Jennifer is very driven; which helps her be a strong and effective advocate for her clients. She believes in treating people who are dealing with difficult situations as well as happy events such as adoptions and prenups with dignity, compassion, and respect while providing excellent representation and personal service. Born and raised in the North Dallas area; Jennifer graduated from Plano Sr. High in 1993. Four years later, she received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice, Business Law and English from UNT. Following college, she took two years off to begin her family before continuing her education and going...

Linda Risinger has been in private practice since 1989, focusing on the needs of North Texans primarily in Collin, Dallas and Denton Counties. However, her expertise has been called upon in cases across Texas. Linda is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and Southern Methodist School of Law in 1983 with a Juris Doctor. In 1989, she moved to Collin County, preferring the opportunity to meeting her client's needs in a more personal, committed level. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Collin County Bar Association. Her commitment to maintaining the highest level of knowledge and experience...

Robert represents mid-market and large enterprise companies in software license transactions and disputes with major software publishers such as Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. He has defended over 225 software audit matters initiated by software piracy trade groups such as the BSA and SIIA. He is counsel to some of the world's largest corporations, such as Schlumberger, PepsiCo, Iron Mountain and American Express, on information technology matters including intellectual property licensing, risk management, data privacy, and outsourcing. Robert ensures that Scott & Scott, LLP continues its focus on cost-effective strategies that deliver positive results.He is regularly...

I am a Family Law Attorney with over 25 years of experience in the family law field. I am a bilingual speaker fluent in both English and Spanish.

Green Chavez Law Firm offers comprehensive immigration and naturalization legal advice and counsel. If you have an immigration legal matter or problem we can offer you personalized and comprehensive representation in McKinney and the North Texas area.

Katherine's fervor lies in leveraging her experience and talents to aid others, a trait instilled in her by her upbringing as the daughter of two dedicated public school teachers in the Dallas area. This early exposure to community service molded her aspiration to pursue a career in family law, shaping the very essence of her professional approach. In 2012, Katherine attained her juris doctorate with honors from the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Throughout her tenure there, she excelled as the Symposium Editor of The Oklahoma Law Review, earning recognition with the Gene H. and Jo Ann Sharpe Award for...

It is often said that there is no time like the present. This could not be truer than when considering to prepare an estate plan. Doing so will it put your mind at ease by taking care of your family and loved ones. And it ensures your estate is distributed and protected according to your desires. Whether you need a Will, Trust, or Power of Attorney, Yolanda offers a variety of estate plans to suit your needs for the benefit of your loved ones.

Yolanda Castro-Dominguez is a native Texan who grew up in Irving, Texas. Her passion for helping others...

An appellate specialist with a broad base of experience on both sides of the bar, Lance handles matters in State and Federal courts at both the trial and appellate level, including business litigation, insurance coverage, personal injury and complex litigation matters.

Sean Pevsner established this law firm with his best friend, Mark Whitburn. They have been best friends since 1986. Mr. Whitburn assisted Mr. Pevsner throughout these years. This firm is one among many goals which they have accomplished together. For more on their story, please visit our news page. Mr. Pevsner is a University of Texas Law graduate with severe cerebral palsy who operates a motorized wheelchair by the use of head movements. Due to his quadriplegia, he cannot write but must rely on an interpreter or a specialized computer to do...

Greg began his career as an engineer for offshore drilling companies. While he enjoyed the problem solving he did for his company, he desired to help others. It was this desire that lead him to SMU's Dedman School of Law, where he graduated in the top 15 percent of his class. Upon graduation, Greg went to work in a prestigious downtown Dallas firm, representing large businesses, doctors and insurance companies. While this experience on the other side of the courtroom has proven invaluable, Greg soon realized he wanted to represent individuals and their families. For more than...