People To Know

FAMILY LAW

Jim Mueller, Managing Partner

VERNER BRUMLEY MUELLER PARKER

Jim Mueller, managing partner for the distinguished law firm Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, said success in the emotionally-charged family law arena comes down to two things: experience and service.

“Our diversity and the range of experience that we can provide means there’s going to be very little that is going to be presented that somebody in our firm hasn’t dealt with firsthand over the years,” he said. “We are one of the largest family law firms, yet at the same time, we still give that same mom-and-pop personal attention. I think that’s extremely important.”

Divorce cases can be complicated, especially for high net worth individuals with various properties, businesses and other considerations. Verner Brumley’s expertise in this arena is one important point of differentiation in the market.

“What we’ve always done very well is take those highnet-worth individuals with extremely complicated cases and resolve those issues, be it in litigation or in the boardroom,” Mueller said. “We understand the various asset elements that make these cases so complex—trusts, commercial properties and the like—not just here throughout Texas, but also throughout the world.”

“I think that’s something that’s extremely unique. If we need to work with somebody who is in Colorado on a case that we’re handling, it’s not just somebody we looked up online. It’s somebody we know has a high level of expertise, who we’ve worked with and who we have a history with.”

At the same time, the firm’s attorneys never lose sight of the human element of divorce, specifically as it involves

custody issues. Mueller said one hallmark of the practice is to take ownership of all the client’s needs, legal or otherwise.

“At the end of the day, a client is not just simply a custody battle, they’re not just simply a divorce or a post-marital agreement,” he said. “ ere’s a holistic approach that we try to take with our clients, to let them know we can be their point of contact for nearly anything. We’ve put people in touch with counselors, we’ve referred them to wealth advisors, and lots more. at’s the type of service that we strive for.”

Mueller, who graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Rhodes College in Memphis and cum laude from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University, jokes he’s still the “new kid” even after more than 15 years in family law. Such is the nature of the longevity of the firm.

“We’re in the personal services industry,” Mueller said. “For everything that has changed over the years, one thing that is as true today around here as it ever was, is that longevity is key. I tell clients all the time, this is not going to be an easy process; it’s not always the most pleasant process. You want to have a relationship with a team that can communicate effectively with you, that you can trust and that has the skill and experience to deliver you the best outcome possible. I feel we do that better than anyone.”

FAMILY LAW

McClure Law Group

100% FAMILY LAW Perfectionism, Perseverance, and Practicality drives McClure Law Group

At McClure Law Group, the clients’ goals are of the utmost importance. Founder, managing partner, and CEO Kelly McClure, managing partner Francesca Blackard, and the rest of their talented staff work together to not only achieve these goals, but surpass them.

“I think we’re the gold standard when it comes to the quality of work that comes out of our firm,” said Blackard. “We’re complimented all the time by our clients on being so much more prepared than the other side. We really give our hearts and souls to our clients and their cases.”

Another way McClure Law Group ensures the satisfaction of their clients is their skill and effectiveness in the courtroom.

“We have a unique practice in that we’re able to give a lot of credibility to what could happen at the courthouse, because we go there quite often,” said McClure, who is also managing partner and CEO of the firm. “I think that really helps clients facilitate a settlement, knowing that the alternative is we go to the courthouse and that’s an arena we’re very comfortable in.”

With a combined experience of over 100 years, McClure Law Group knows Dallas clients want their family law dealings to be as seamless as possible. is is what sets the Firm apart with an in-house CPA and an in-house appellate attorney, which no other Dallas firm has. McClure Law Group also prides itself on seeing clients as human beings, not just income.

“We do damage control in all aspects,” Blackard said. “Financially and emotionally, and I’m really proud that we’re not a firm that sees a high net worth client and sees dollar signs. We see the client, their children, their spouse, and think of how to keep this post-divorce family as in-tact as possible.”

In the past year, the team at McClure Law Group has only gotten better. They have welcomed partners Kate Mataya and Brandon Joseph, both of whom have gone above and beyond and augment the knowledge and expertise of the already-masterful McClure Law Group team.

“We’re ahead of the curve with the lawyers we have,” McClure said. “ ey’re very impressive in terms of writing techniques, and doing complicated drafting on complex issues. A lot of firms don’t have that level of expertise. Our talent is just untouchable.”

FULL SERVICE

Brousseau Naftis & Massingill, PC

There are three things clients can expect from Brousseau Naftis & Massingill, PC: Affability, availability, and ability. is was the model of service exemplified by the founder of the firm, the late Maryann Sarris Brousseau, and attorneys Matthew Naftis, Elayna Erick, and Ron Massingill still work to make these the guiding principles of their practice.

“We are available to clients whenever they need it, and for whatever type of law they need,” Erick said. “We try to be understanding, compassionate, and help clients address their issues to the best of our ability. We do our very best for every client.”

With a dream team like this, it’s not hard to imagine why they’re highly sought after. Massingill, who has been practicing law for 52 years, is passionate about fighting for his clients and believes in his motto, “never let the law stand in the way of justice.” He has been recognized multiple times by both “Super Lawyers” and “ e Best Lawyers in America.”

Erick has been at the firm for 18 years and Naftis for 20. Both started under their mentor Brousseau and learned a lot from her, each other, and Massingill. Between the three of them and the firm’s associates, they practice in family law; business litigation and corporate law; real estate; wills, trusts, estates, and probate.

“Even if it’s something outside of our realm of experience, we help identify and spot the legal issues our clients are facing then find an attorney best suited to help them. roughout the process we can remain their point person,” Naftis said. “ e trend right now is to have a concierge medical advisor, who talks to other doctors for you and translates back what they’re saying. A lot of small businesses need something similar — an outside general counsel that looks at all their needs from a wide angle and finds and coordinates legal advisors to help if it’s not something we do ourselves.”

As a small boutique firm, the attorneys of Brousseau Naftis & Massingill, PC are able to grow and nurture relationships with each client.

“Our clients really develop a trust in us and our judgment,” Massingill said. “And it’s not misplaced because we truly care about them. It’s become generational. We get a lot of referrals where we represented someone in a divorce or business issue, then later we hear from their children, and then their grandchildren. ey come back because they know they can trust us with their secrets, their reputations, their money, and their future. ey want the integrity and trust they get with our firm.”