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TOP ATTORNEYS 2019
Top Attorneys 2019 is a nomination-based project in which we ask area attorneys to vote for other attorneys who exemplify excellence in a variety of different practice areas. The Top Attorneys list provides a service to readers, giving them attorneys’ perspective on their peers. The list also is intended to allow readers to see and celebrate the achievement of the attorneys who make the list. Additionally, it gives those seeking legal information a place to see attorneys recognized for their expertise and reputation, and helps them select the right representation for their needs. It also can be a means for attorneys to make the community aware of their specific specialties and areas of expertise. We take time and energy to ensure fair voting. We recognize that there are many good attorneys who do not appear on this list for various reasons. This is only a sampling of the talented professionals within the region. Inclusion on the list is based on the opinions of responding attorneys in the area and the results, therefore, are not objective. Amarillo Magazine contracted with DataJoe Research to conduct nominations using an online ballot for collecting, vetting and tallying the votes. DataJoe Research is a survey/ research company specializing in data collection and verification. It conducts various nominations across the United States on behalf of publishers.
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TOP ATTORNEYS 2019
How was the list created? To create the list, DataJoe Research facilitated a peer
voting process during the first quarter of 2019. DataJoe and the magazine reached out to both individuals and firms by various means, encouraging entities to vote and circulate the online ballot. Each attorney could vote for up to three attorneys in each category. DataJoe reviewed and processed each ballot individually, checking for patterns or signs indicative of cheating. The top vote-getters in each specialty category were selected and verified. We verified with the state bar association that each winner had a valid, active license and that no winner had disciplinary action against him/her from the state. If we were not able to find evidence of the attorney’s being registered with the state bar association, that attorney was excluded from the list. Finally, DataJoe presented the tallied result to Amarillo Magazine for final review and adjustments.
How are nominations obtained? The magazine and DataJoe Research
reached out to both practices and individuals in the region via various methods, encouraging them to vote and distribute the ballot to other attorneys. We encourage attorneys who want to ensure they get to vote to send an email to surveys@datajoe.com so we can conduct a lookup and add their information if needed.
What information is required to make a nomination? Attorneys
are required to provide a valid, active license number and basic contact information identifying themselves. This helps us ensure fairness in the voting process by verifying that each attorney completes only one ballot. The final results are aggregated, so attorneys’ ballot choices remain confidential.
How are practice areas determined? The categories are very broad and are intended to reflect relevant practice areas in the region. We recognize that there are many specialty areas but cannot accommodate them all. If there is a strong and consistent request for additional practice areas, they will be considered for possible inclusion in next year’s nomination.
Do attorneys pay to be on the Top Attorneys list? Attorneys can’t pay to be on the list. After the list is finalized by DataJoe, it is given to the magazine’s Advertising Department, which invites attorneys to buy profiles. These profiles appear after the list, labeled as paid advertising, in a section titled Attorneys You Should Know. But whether the attorneys advertise has no bearing on their being on the list.
DataJoe uses best practices and exercises great care in assembling content for this list. DataJoe does not warrant that the data contained within the list are complete or accurate. DataJoe does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. All rights reserved. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without written permission from DataJoe.
Appellate Law
Brooks Barfield, Jr., Barfield Law Firm, P.C. Eric Coats, Attorney at Law Steven M. Denny, Attorney at Law Jennie Knapp, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Arbitration Mediation
Kirk Crutcher, Crutcher Mediation Mike Loftin, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Christopher Wrampelmeier, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Banking Financial
Alysia B. Cordova, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC David Jones, Happy State Bank Samuel Karr, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Robert Wade King, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. C. Jared Knight, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Mike Smiley, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Brandon Wing, Happy State Bank
Bankruptcy Workout
Alysia B. Cordova, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC Roger Cox, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
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C. Jared Knight, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Don D. Sunderland, Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLP Patrick A. Swindell, Swindell Law Firm
Business Law
John Atkins, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Gregg R. Cannady, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Dave Goad, Underwood Law Firm, P.C Tom A. Knapp, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Mindi L. McLain, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Gerald G. Morgan, Jr., Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Jason D. Rahlfs, Mayfield Law F irm, LLP Alan Rhodes, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Paul Williamson, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Weston W. Wright, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP I. Alfonso Zambrano Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Civil Trial
John Ben Blanchard, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Wyatt Brooks, Burdett, Morgan,
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Williamson & Boykin, LLP Slater Elza, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Grant Gibson, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Stephanie James, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Mike Loftin, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Joni Paul, Packard, Hood, Johnson & Paul, LLP Thomas C. Riney, Riney & Mayfield LLP Matt W. Sherwood, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Kelly Utsinger, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Timothy C. Williams, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC Alex Yarbrough, Riney & Mayfield LLP
Commercial Litigation
John Ben Blanchard, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Greg Freeman, Freeman & Nance LLC Grant Gibson, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Thomas C. Riney, Riney & Mayfield LLP Matt W. Sherwood, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Brittany K. Taylor, Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Kelly Utsinger, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Construction
William Arnold, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Tyler J. DiMarino, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC Tim Newsom, Young & Newsom, P.C. Kenneth E. Weston, Courtney, Countiss, Brian & Bailey, LLP
Consumer Debt
Mike Smiley, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Patrick A. Swindell, Swindell Law Firm
Criminal Defense
Steven M. Denny, Attorney at Law Titiana Frausto, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
DUI/DWI
Qlo Crum, Attorney at Law Paul Herrmann, The Herrmann Law Firm
Eminent Domain
Todd Boykin, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Christopher L. Jensen, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC
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Dusty J. Stockard, Stockard, Johnston, Brown, & Netardus, P.C. J. Tyler Topper, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP
Family Law
Wade A. Byrd, Wright Wilmarth Byrd PLLC Vaavia Edwards, Attorney at Law Titiana Frausto, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Cynthia B. Graham, Law Office Of Cynthia Barela Graham, Attorney at Law Jamie S. Vandivere, Attorney at Law Stewart R. Werner, Werner Law Offices Mary Whittington, Whittington Law Firm Christopher Wrampelmeier, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Firm, P.C.
Chris Stewart, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP
Health Care Law
Jeffrey S. Baird, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Gavin Gadberry, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Bradley W. Howard, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Elizabeth H. Jepson, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Denise M. Leard, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Charles Mallard, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Immigration Law
Charles Mallard, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Felipe Zavala, The Zavala Law Firm Stacy Zavala, The Zavala Law Firm
Insurance
General Practice
Jerry D. McLaughlin, Law Offices of Jerry D. McLaughlin
Government Administrative Scott Brumley, Potter County Attorney Marcus Norris, Amarillo City Attorney’s Office Fred Stormer, Underwood Law
Benjamin Doyle, Stockard, Johnston, Brown, & Netardus P.C. Stephanie James, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Joni Paul, Packard, Hood, Johnson & Paul, LLP
Intellectual Property Rights John Atkins, Underwood Law Firm, P.C.
Creating, Managing Buffy Haden
Hunter Vagrosky
Labor Employment
Allison L. Davis, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Autum Flores, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Bradley W. Howard, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. Mike Warner, The Warner Law Firm Vicki Hart Wilmarth, Wright Wilmarth Byrd, PLLC Jeremi K. Young, Young & Newsom, P.C.
Land Use Environment
J. Shane Brooks, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC
Real Estate
Todd Boykin, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Roger Cox, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Frederick J. Griffin, Sell Griffin McLain, P.C. Samuel Karr, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Mindi L. McLain, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Garland D. Sell, Sell Griffin McLain, P.C.
Preserving &Wealth. Kevin Rider
Joby Mills
Terry Wright
Alisa Scott
Todd Wetsel
Sharon White, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Weston W. Wright, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP I. Alfonso Zambrano, Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Social Security Elder Law
James Abbott, Abbott Law Office
Traffic Law
T. D. Hammons, Attorney at Law
Wills Trusts Estates
W. H. Brian, Jr., Courtney, Countiss, Brian & Bailey, LLP J. Shane Brooks, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC D. Christ Harkins, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Joseph Hinton, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Tom Hood, Packard, Hood, Johnson & Paul, LLP Christopher D. Jones, Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC Gerald G. Morgan, Jr., Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP Sharon White, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. Paul Williamson, Burdett, Morgan, Williamson & Boykin, LLP
Scott Richardson
Terri Wright
701 S. Taylor St • (806) 356-8787 happytrust.com
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Gavin Gadberry, President
Kelly Utsinger
Slater Elza
Wade King
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
UNDERWOOD LAW FIRM BOARD OF DIRECTORS Year established: The Underwood Law Firm first opened its doors in 1912. The firm has changed its name multiple times in the 107 years since, but the Underwood name is always prominent. Practice areas: The Underwood Law Firm is a general practice firm and assists individuals and corporations with a wide range of legal services. We have clients in many different industries, from agriculture to wind energy. In addition, we have a large governmental practice focusing on schools, cities, counties and hospital districts. What are your roles with the firm? Two years ago, the firm moved to a six-member Board of Directors. Four members of the board are in the firm’s Amarillo office. Gavin Gadberry was recently elected as the firm’s president. Slater Elza and Wade King serve as directors, and Kelly Utsinger is the General Counsel. Cumulatively, this group has more than 170 years of legal experience, with 130 of those years at the Underwood Law Firm. What is your background? Our lawyers come from varying backgrounds. Wade King grew up in Muleshoe, Slater Elza is a native of Amarillo, Kelly Utsinger grew up in Odessa, and Gavin Gadberry grew up in Follett. Gavin and Kelly are first career lawyers, Wade helped
run his family’s business in Muleshoe between his undergrad degree and law school, and Slater was in hotel management prior to becoming a lawyer. All four worked as law clerks for Underwood Law Firm, and then joined the firm following graduation from law school. What is the cornerstone of your firm? Integrity in all things; commitment to excellence; service to our community. We strive to make every matter we are trusted with as important to us as it is to the client. What sets your firm apart? Longevity: Having been around for so many years we have endured some hardships and changes, which have molded us into what we are today. Relationships: We recognize our business arrangement is a relationship. We take pride in recognizing many clients have been clients of the firm for decades. Adaptability: The ability to adapt is an important part of today’s business environment. We have five offices throughout Texas, in Amarillo, Austin, Fort Worth, Lubbock and Pampa.
500 S. Taylor St., Amarillo 806.376.5613 • uwlaw.com
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ATTORNEY STEPHEN HAMILTON Year established: Stephen Hamilton has been practicing law for 21 years – since 1998. Education: Attorney Stephen Hamilton is the Lead Trial Attorney at Hamilton Grant PC. Stephen is AV rated, the highest rating one can receive through that rating system. Stephen is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Overall in Texas, less than 1% of all lawyers who practice criminal law are board certified in criminal law. Specialty: Stephen is trained under the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines to administer the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST), and has completed training as an instructor of the SFSTs. He has completed the training as a breath test operator of the Intoxilyzer 5000 breath test machine (the same machine used in Texas for court room breath tests). He has also completed training as a breath test instructor and maintenance technician of the unit. Honors and awards: Mr. Hamilton has written a book on DWI matters, “Texas DWI Survival Guide: A Citizen’s Guide;” is rated 10.0 of 10.0 on the AVVO lawyer rating system;. holds a certificate of completion for the state Intoxilyzer training; is trained to administer standardized field sobriety tests and evidentiary breath tests; completed training in blood alcohol analysis and forensic blood analysis; co-authored a book and conducts seminars designed to teach other attorneys how to try DWI cases. What is the cornerstone of your firm? We know that in life, mistakes happen. We believe in your rights and work to protect those rights and your future. We help good people through tough times. How do you set your firm apart from others? We are trial attorneys. We will not shy away from your right to a public trial and an impartial jury if it is necessary in the pursuit of justice for your situation. Stephen Hamilton and associates are experienced in defending against DWI charges and other alcohol-related offenses, including DWI by minors. All firm attorneys are trained on field sobriety tests and can help prepare those charged with DWI by understanding the laws, consequences and trial procedures ahead of them. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? The opportunity to help navigate people through difficult situations. I am passionate in finding solutions that offer my clients peace of mind knowing that someone is working to protect their future and help them find the best possible outcome for their case. 72
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Community involvement: Our firm works to give back through education and awareness. Through our corporate sponsorships with West Texas A&M University, Family Support Services, Martha’s Home and Amarillo Bulls Hockey, we work to educate the Panhandle by providing literature about the repercussions a person can have if they choose to drink and get behind the wheel.
600 S. Tyler St., Suite 2007, Amarillo 806.444.4444 • attorneyhamilton.com
ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
SPROUSE SHRADER SMITH PLLC Year established: 1990 Practice areas: Agriculture Law, Agribusiness Law, Banking and Financial Services, Bankruptcy, Creditor’s Rights, Corporate Law, Securities Law, Family Law, Labor and Employment Law, Nonprofit Organizational Law, Oil and Gas Law, Power and Utilities Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, Trademark and Copyright Law, Trial and Appellate Law, Water Law, Wealth Planning and Probate Law What is the cornerstone of your firm? The cornerstone of Sprouse Shrader Smith is providing high-quality, ethical legal services. Our firm strives to continually go above and beyond for our clients through innovations, efficiency and hard work. Being one of the larger firms in Amarillo allows us to lean on one another’s expertise to give our clients a seamless experience. How do you set your firm apart from others? Sprouse is equipped to help clients with any legal issue. Our attorneys are here to guide you in major life decisions, from setting up your new business entity to helping you make educated decisions regarding your last will and testament. Sprouse has more than 80 attorneys and staff spread throughout Amarillo, Austin and Victoria, Texas. We are dedicated to helping our clients find solutions. What is most rewarding about practicing in Amarillo? The most rewarding aspect about practicing law in Amarillo is the people. Our community works to support local businesses and support each other. Building relationships that start out as an attorney-client relationship and end up being lifelong friendships can be one of the most rewarding features of being an Amarillo attorney. Community involvement: Our members, associates and staff contribute their time, knowledge and talent to the community by serving in a variety of nonprofit and civic organizations. The firm currently supports more than 50 nonprofit organizations through financial and board involvement, including Center City, Chamber Music Amarillo, Opportunity School, High Plains Food Bank, Amarillo Symphony, and many others.
(L-R): Chris Jensen, Shane Brooks, Shyla Buckner, Alysia Cordova, and Chris Jones
701 S. Taylor, Suite 500, Amarillo 806.468.3300 • sprouselaw.com ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
PATRICK A. SWINDELL, SWINDELL LAW FIRM Year established: 1980 Education: Bachelor of Science, West Texas A&M University (1977); Doctor of Jurisprudence, Texas Tech University School of Law (1980) Specialty: Practice limited to Commercial and Consumer Bankruptcy Honors and awards: AV Rated Pre-Eminent Lawyer What is the cornerstone of your firm? Trust and experience How do you set your firm apart from others? We have an individualized approach to representation, spending as much time as is necessary to accomplish the work. A staff of three highly qualified legal assistants work under the direct supervision of Mr. Swindell, who has practiced law for 39 years. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? Helping people work through a difficult and trying event in their life. Community involvement: Founder and Chairman of the Board of Regents, Ascension Academy; Past President of the Board of Advisors, the Sybil B. Harrington School of Fine Arts & Humanities, WTAMU; current member, Arts Committee for Amarillo Convention and Visitors Council; Past President of the Board of Trustees, Amarillo Opera; previously served on the Board of The Amarillo Club; co-owner of The Esquire Jazz Club (located in the former U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse); Front Man for the Esquire Jazz Band
106 SW Seventh Ave., Amarillo 806.374.7979 bankruptcyattorneyamarillo.com 74
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
DAVID JONES AND BRANDON WING, HAPPY STATE BANK Year established: In 2012, Happy State Bank established a General Counsel Department. David was hired as General Counsel. Brandon joined as Assistant General Counsel in 2016. Also in 2016, a third attorney, Whitney Cardwell, was also added to the department as a Vice President in the Ft. Worth market. Practice areas: The General Counsel department has a very broad responsibility, because it touches so many areas. We handle all of the legal issues that come up in the $3.5-billion bank, such as loan documents, loan workouts, deposit issues, trust/probate issues, litigation, real estate, regulatory and compliance issues, vendor contracts, human resource issues, complaints, and lately, acquisitions. Specialty: Obviously, banking law in general. Whitney is the loan document expert. Brandon takes the lead on deposit questions, vendor contracts, and acquisitions. David participates on the bank’s Executive Team, and oversees other legal issues as they arise – including claims and litigation – manages outside counsel, and deals with anything else that comes up. What is the cornerstone of your firm? The culture, which is driven by Pat Hickman, our CEO. How do you set your firm apart from others? We do not have to bill for our time. What is most rewarding about practicing in Amarillo? The legal community in Amarillo is much more sophisticated than most people realize. The lawyers we retain as outside counsel can hold their own against anyone in the state, or beyond. Community involvement: David has served for many years as the Chairman of the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. He has also served for 20 years as Chairman of the Family Care Foundation. Brandon serves on the Board of Directors of Hope Choice, Inc., and previously served as President of the Board of Directors for Center City before rotating off the Board.
806.342.2446 happybank.com ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
DON D. SUNDERLAND, MULLIN HOARD & BROWN, LLP Year established: 1990 Practice areas: Don graduated in May of 1983 from The University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he earned the prestigious Order of the Coif. The one constant in Don’s law practice has been his representation of banks and other lenders. Early in Don’s career he routinely represented banks, debtors, trustees and others in bankruptcy and other court proceedings. Since the early 2000s, Don’s practice has been, for the most part, representing banks and other lenders in a variety of areas, including complex multi-state lending and large scale agribusiness lending, real estate purchase lending, construction lending, and workout matters. Specialty: Representing lenders and borrowers in commercial lending transactions and in workout of troubled loans. What is the cornerstone of your firm? Mullin Hoard & Brown, LLP, attorneys and staff work to develop personal relationships with clients. We work hard to own our clients’ needs and wants and their problems. How do you set your firm apart from others? The firm has tremendous expertise and experience in a variety of different fields – we have top lawyers in trial matters, trust/estate planning and probate matters, employment and human relations matters, real estate and agribusiness matters, all types of lending matters, and bankruptcy and reorganization matters. This broad expertise and experience is coupled with our goal to have any particular legal matter handled by the attorney in the firm that is best suited to efficiently provide top-quality service. What is most rewarding about practicing in Amarillo? I have the luxury of being able to represent my clients on challenging matters, and work with and against lawyers from major law firms around the country. I can deliver to my clients superior services that enable them to compete anywhere, and still have only a 10 to 15 minute (or less) commute to home, office, or my client. I get to have a big time, big city law practice in a small city.
500 S. Taylor St., Suite 800, Amarillo 372.5050 • mullinhoard.com 76
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
STEWART R. WERNER Year Established: Solo practice established in 1997 (although I have been practicing law since 1980). Education: University of Oklahoma School of Law, J.D.; Texas Tech University, B.B.A Practice areas: My practice is focused in Family Law, including divorce and child custody, Civil Litigation and Probate and Estate Administration. Other practice areas include Wills, Guardianship, Entity Formations, and Mediation. What is the cornerstone of your firm? My Christian faith. I have been blessed with great clients, and blessed with the talents to provide quality legal services to each client. I truly care about each client’s legal matter, and strive to resolve each matter favorably and efficiently. How do you set your firm apart from others? Treating each client like I would want to be treated. Integrity. Attention to detail. Result oriented. Fostering excellent communications with my clients. Caring for each client, providing excellent service, and working hard and efficiently on each matter with which I am entrusted. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? Applying my talents for my clients and achieving successful results that result in positive, sometimes life-changing differences in the lives of my clients and, in many cases, their children and families. Community involvement: Hillside Christian Church; Amarillo Chamber of Commerce; Leadership Amarillo Alum, previous service on the boards of Amarillo CASA and Family Support Services; a director on the Panhandle Family Law Association Board; proud supporter of various charitable organizations. Amarillo Sod Poodles season ticket holder.
801 S. Filmore St., Suite 720, Amarillo 806.342.5480 • wernerlawfirm.com
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
SELL GRIFFIN MCLAIN PC Year established: Garland Sell began the firm in 1970. In 1972, he was joined by Fred Griffin. They practiced together until 2008, when Kerry McLain joined them to become the current firm, Sell Griffin McLain PC. After almost 50 years downtown, the firm recently moved to Lexington Square Office Park in the Colonies. Practice areas: With board certifications in Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate, and Farm and Ranch Real Estate, we are able to handle all real estate matters. Other practice areas include Wills, Probates, Entity Formations, Business Transactions, Creditor Representation, and Business Litigation. What is the cornerstone of your firm? Integrity. Expertise. Value. How do you set your firm apart from others? Sell Griffin McLain is a small law firm with accumulated knowledge and experience from many years of practice. Our firm is small enough to provide personal service for our clients, and experienced enough to competently handle legal matters of any size in our areas of practice. Our attorneys take the time to assess each client’s objectives and achieve resolution of the issues or completion of transactions in the most efficient and timely manner possible. This approach places the needs of clients first. The firm’s goal is to help our clients achieve the best results in the most efficient way possible. What is most rewarding about practicing in Amarillo? The friendly and giving nature of our community. Community involvement: Our attorneys and team are actively involved in various churches in our city and serve our community through nonprofit boards and other volunteer service. Some of those organizations include Life Challenge of Amarillo, Meals on Wheels, Texas Panhandle Builders Association, Gideon’s International, and Hope Choice.
4801 Lexington Square, Amarillo 806.374.3765 • sgmtexaslaw.com 78
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ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW
ERIC J. PULLEN, ELDERLAWYER Year established: 2004 Focus: Elder Law, which encompasses a variety of legal fields, such as estate planning and administration; trusts; powers of attorney; special needs planning; end-of-life planning; Medicaid, disability and other long-term care issues, particularly asset protection; guardianship and commitment matters; retirement planning; Social Security benefits; and Medicare. Memberships and certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from West Texas A&M University; Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law Houston; Amarillo Area Bar Association; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA); Texas Chapter of NAELA; Better Business Bureau; State Bar of Texas, including the Real Estate, Trust and Probate Section; recognized as among the Top 10 Texas Elder Law Attorneys by the American Institute of Legal Counsel Why did you choose your area of practice? Memories of my grandparents fuel my passion. I strive to be the kind of person that I hope would have been there for them. What is the cornerstone of your firm? Integrity. For what are you most known? Being one of the most knowledgeable, qualified, and experienced attorneys in the Texas Panhandle regarding elder law issues, guardianships, trust matters, and probate. How do you set your firm apart from others? I am not a general practitioner and do not pretend to be the attorney for everything for everyone. My focus and skillset is very narrow and very deep. If I cannot help a client or believe they would be better helped by another attorney, I don’t hesitate to refer them out. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? Definitely my clientele. I’m honored that I get to serve veterans, survivors of the Great Depression, and so many people with diverse backgrounds and with such a wealth of experiences. Community involvement: Frequently volunteer at nonprofits, such as the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Foundation; often serve as an advisor to members of the Texas Legislature, as well as various courts throughout the Panhandle on elder law issues; active in my church and various community service organizations; often requested to speak to groups concerning estate planning and elder law issues.
2903 S. Georgia St., Amarillo 806.355.8147 • amaelderlaw.com ATTORNEYS YOU SHOULD KNOW • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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