MCDONALD SANDERS - Key Persons
A Fort Worth native with roots that run deep both in the community and in the legal field, Bob Ginsburg has been the trusted legal counsel for prominent area businesses and individuals. Bob's long-standing and robust practice has spanned over more than 40 years, and heavily focuses on commercial transactions, banking and finance, transportation, and various aspects of real estate, including condemnation and eminent domain and landlord/tenant law.
Following law school, Chris Morris quickly developed a practice spanning multiple areas that allowed him to cultivate a variety of capabilities and skills. His well-rounded experience makes Chris adept at addressing clients' needs and working efficiently to achieve their goals. He enjoys putting his attention to detail and determined work ethic to use for our clients, and his background in both transactional and litigation settings gives him a unique perspective as a counselor and an advocate.
Chris was born and raised in Fort Worth. He and his wife both have roots in the community that trace back generations and are proud to call Fort Worth home. Chris is a lifelong Texas Longhorns fan and spends his spare time golfing, fly fishing, and exploring all the city has to offer.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Dustin Fillmore enjoys problem-solving and using his analytical skills to resolve our clients' cases. Dustin has experience handling civil cases in litigation and arbitration, with an emphasis on construction disputes, and plans to use that experience and perspective to focus on business transactions. Having an eye toward real estate and property issues, he supports multiple attorneys in their varied practice areas. Dustin enjoys the learning that comes with such broad exposure and how it helps him stay current with his practice areas.
After earning his bachelor's degree from Southwestern University in Georgetown, graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, and launching his litigation career in Dallas, Dustin is happy to return to his hometown to join the McDonald Sanders team. He is passionate about music and loves playing his guitar, cooking, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Job Titles:
- Memorial Scholarship, President and Chairman of Board of Trustees
Grant Sorenson is a transaction-focused attorney who assists corporations, small business owners, real estate firms, banking and finance institutions, and energy companies navigate the legal complexities pertaining to their respective industries. Whether in the resolution of a dispute or in closing a transaction, Grant employs a collaborative and economical approach with an eye toward the practical in order to help the firm's clients accomplish their goals. In all aspects of his practice, Grant is consistently driven to do what is necessary to get a legal matter across the finish line.
Practice Areas
Banking & Finance
Practice Areas
Litigation
Education
Juris Doctor - The University of Texas School of Law, 1978
Jackson enjoys problem-solving and works hard to provide practical results to his client's problems. While also relying on the experience of supervising attorneys, he provides the necessary answers to his client's often unique situations. Jackson uses his legal research and writing skills to provide efficient, results-driven outcomes in litigation and transactional matters.
Jackson was born in Fort Worth and grew up in the Texas Hill Country, where his parents still live. Jackson went to Texas Tech University for undergrad and decided to stay in Lubbock to get his Juris Doctorate at the Texas Tech University School of Law. Since joining the firm after clerking as a summer associate, Jackson moved to Fort Worth. He spends his free time rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Tech Red Raiders in all sports. He also enjoys jogging on the Trinity Trail, looking for the best breakfast taco in Fort Worth, and spending time with friends and family.
Practice Areas
Corporate
Jennifer maintains a litigation practice bolstered by more than 25 years of experience, representing both individual and corporate clients, and commercial and individual property owners, in civil litigation with emphasis in business and commercial litigation. She also handles matters specifically related to insurance defense and works on corporate organization and transactions.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
John Wright works with clients of all types in aiding them with both their commercial litigation and transactional needs. Whether handling a large corporation, a smaller firm, or an individual or non-profit, John strives to make his clients' lives better through solving their problems within the legal environment. Adept in many areas, he also works in estate planning and probate, tax, and litigation pertaining to those areas, thus providing a full-service suite of legal work to his clients. With his areas of practice often being quite complex, John communicates well and gives the extra effort to make things more understandable for clients dealing within a system the mechanics of which are challenging to appreciate.
John is originally from Oklahoma City and now lives in Fort Worth with his wife, Diane, also a lawyer working in the banking industry. Colonial Country Club is a favorite local spot of his, and he loves to golf when he can particularly in the spring and fall, but he's also a world traveler who's been to Russia, Italy, Scotland, and more. With his two sons in Los Angeles and Fort Worth, John gathers them as often as he can so they can all continue exploring together. John also ensures that Boomer, the much-loved golden doodle and fluffiest family member, makes it into the annual family photographs through the magic of his Photoshop hobby.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Job Titles:
- Member of Colonial Country Club
Nick Bettinger has more than 30 years of experience focusing on nonsubscribers to workers' compensation law, a tenure that only a few other attorneys in his field can claim. From the legal requirements of being a nonsubscriber to supervisor training, Nick can guide you through the complexities of nonsubscriber status. Nick's other practice areas include landlord/tenant law and homeowners' association matters. As an interested follower of IT trends, Nick has even delivered several speeches on social media's legal and ethical issues.
A Fort Worth native, Nick is a proud member of Colonial Country Club, "the best golf course in town." Golf is just one hobby, though. He's also an expert balloon sculptor and often appears at charity events in the area, creating delicate works of art and putting smiles on kids' faces. He and his family currently live in southwest Fort Worth.
Practice Areas
Non-Subscribers to Workers' Compensation
Patrick believes that "if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well." He focuses on finding practical solutions to clients' legal issues and problems. Applying his research skills and work experience before law school benefits the client to achieve their goals.
Born on the island of Galveston and raised in Fort Worth, Patrick graduated from Arlington Heights High School. In high school he was recognized as a National Merit Scholar. After completing his undergraduate studies with honors at the University of Texas at Dallas and worked as a Petroleum Landman, Patrick returned to further his education and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence with honors from Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law. Patrick spends his free time with his wife, Mollie, playing fetch with their dog Harper, or taking any excuse to get outdoors, especially biking, hunting, fishing, and golfing.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Raul Romero has always been passionate about serving his community and helping others. Raul brings these traits to his law practice. His attention to the concerns of the client and his commitment to solve legal problems allows him to provide the firm's clients with not only the practical advice they need, but the counseling they deserve.
Raised in Fort Worth and born in Mexico, Raul graduated from North Side High School and subsequently attended Texas Christian University as a Community Scholar. As the first member of his family to graduate from college, he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law with honors. In his free time, Raul enjoys hiking with his dog, cooking and spending time with his family.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Board-certified in commercial real estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Richard DeBerry brings 30 years of experience in real estate, construction, eminent domain, and condemnation law to his clients. He handles both the transactional and litigation sides of these practice areas. Real estate and development deals and construction agreements can be complex and involve many stakeholders, often initially clouding the client's ability to see the path to their preferred outcome. Richard enjoys deciphering the complicated issues and cutting through the fog while pursuing his client's best interests. A well-honed attention to detail helps him provide thoughtful counsel on the important strategic decisions in real estate and construction transactions and related litigation.
Born in Austin and raised in Dallas, Richard likes to say that he got to Fort Worth as quickly as he could. With a number of varied interests, Richard enjoys traveling to and exploring new cities, sampling new cuisine, and visiting museums and historical architecture. He also likes making "damn good" Old Fashioneds, cooking, golf, water and snow skiing, fast and classic cars, classic movies, pints with buddies, yoga, Texas and TCU sports, and isn't ashamed to share that he likes to try to build killer flower arrangements. If he's not doing any of that, you may find him walking along the river to Press Café or exploring Possum Kingdom Lake with his wife, Kelly, and soaking up the sun.
Practice Areas
Real Estate
Rick Sorenson, board certified in commercial real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993, offers more than 40 years of experience helping clients across several commercial sectors with their business and litigation matters. From operations, governance, transactions, financing, contracting, and sales and acquisitions, to all things real estate, including construction and energy, he provides seasoned representation in the boardroom and the courtroom. Rick counts each day on the job as a chance to learn and bring skilled, clear-eyed counsel to clients and help not only with their problems, but with the realization of business and personal opportunities.
Motivated in part by a desire to understand the law, make a difference, and be a significant part of solutions accomplished the right way, Rick wants to prevent people from being intimidated by the legal process. He derives satisfaction from helping friends and clients overcome challenges, but also in assisting their growth while operating McDonald Sanders at a high level.
Rick is originally from Columbia, South Carolina, but he has lived all over Texas, from Anson, Rule, Midland, Colorado City, Lubbock, and Austin, before making Fort Worth his home. He treasures the city for its iconic streets, including the Main Street run from the Courthouse to the Convention Center and Exchange Street in the Stockyards, and for its vibrant Museum District and the view of the west side from the Lancaster Bridge. While Rick's time always seems to be at a premium, once in a while he enjoys taking in local sports and the arts and catching his breath in the outdoors while boating, hunting, or fishing.
Practice Areas
Banking & Finance
Rory Divin, is board-certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and maintains a sharp focus on assisting, representing, and advising employers in employment law matters. Rory brings over 30 years of experience to the employer-side of labor and employment with an emphasis on personnel, human resources, and defense litigation. From managing the employee relationship and counseling employers on a range of labor issues, to handling Department of Labor investigations and defending employers against lawsuits brought by employees or the government, Rory enjoys analyzing and solving problems to help proud business leaders.
Rory is a Midwestern native. He was born in Kentucky and grew up in Nebraska and Illinois, but has long since moved to Texas. He and his wife currently live up in Keller. Although he lives north of Fort Worth, he still tries to get over to the Cultural District as often as possible to walk the Japanese Gardens or to grab lunch at the Modern Art Museum. A lover of beautiful and peaceful places, Rory also enjoys golf, art, music, and travel.
Practice Areas
Energy & Utilities
After law school, Russell Devenport served as a briefing attorney for Texas legend Judge Mary Lou Robinson with the United States District Court in Amarillo. He then joined McDonald Sanders. Russell's experience includes more than 20 years of representing clients in areas related to finance and business and the commercial litigation tied into those matters. He represents financial institutions and closely held companies, including logistics and financial services companies.
Russell has been married to Christine for over 30 years and they have a daughter, Claire, who is a local baker and a son, Henry, who studies Materials Science and Engineering at Iowa State University, home of the U.S. Department of Energy Ames National Laboratory.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Ryan Damiano's practice covers a wide range of commercial transactions and litigation matters, most often relating to real estate and oil and gas. Ryan's background in accounting gives him a strong understanding of financial statements and business economics, and enables him to help clients understand how deal points may affect the bottom line. He's also a rare attorney who will both document transactions and litigate for his clients.
Ryan lives in Aledo with his wife and children. Though he has moved west, he still considers himself very much a part of the Fort Worth community, which is reflected by some of his favorite spots, including Buon Giorno coffee shop near downtown and Saint Emilion Restaurant on the West Side. Ryan enjoys traveling with his family, fishing, hunting and skiing.
Practice Areas
Banking & Finance
Sarah Kline Carmichael has focused her practice on commercial litigation, employment law, and insurance defense matters, as well as business transactions and corporate organization. She supports several other attorneys with their cases and matters while also working on developing her own practice areas. Sarah loves attacking problems and finding solutions for her clients. She enjoys researching, both to the benefit of her clients and her fellow attorneys, but also because she likes learning something new every day.
Before heading west to Lubbock for law school at Texas Tech University, Sarah came to Fort Worth to attend Texas Christian University for a Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Poltical Science. She originally hails from Paradise, Texas. Now back in the area and living downtown, Sarah and her husband take full advantage of the wonders of Fort Worth. Of course, as a TCU and Texas Tech grad, Sarah keeps up with college football, but also loves to read, camp, and hike.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Primarily a commercial law and personal injury litigator, Stuart Lumpkins has been board-certified in personal injury trial law since 1991 by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, reflecting his more than 30 years of experience in client representation. He enjoys taking an interest not only in finding a practical solution to his clients' legal problems, but also in forging a strong personal connection with those he works with. As a proud third-generation attorney, Stuart follows a strong family example and puts integrity and service in the legal profession at the fore of helping his clients navigate challenges.
Stuart is a native of the Greater Fort Worth / Dallas area, originally from Waxahachie. After coming to the Panther City for undergrad, he never left Fort Worth, possibly due in part to his TCU sports fandom and maybe even to his affinity for the Kimbell Art Museum's world-class art collection and exhibits. When Stuart isn't in the office, at TCU football games, or having a meal at the museum, he enjoys running, tinkering with his yard and home projects, and spending any kind of time with his family.
Practice Areas
Condemnation & Eminent Domain
Tom works hard to solve his client's problems to make their life easier. He provides unique solutions while also relying on the experience of supervising attorneys. Tom uses his excellent research and writing skills to benefit his clients' estate planning and probate, corporate and tax matters.
Tom is from Fairview, Texas, where his parents still live. He stayed in Texas, graduating from Texas A&M University and receiving his Juris Doctor at Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law. Tom comes from a large Aggie family and enjoys the tradition of throwing large tailgates for all the Texas A&M home games. Tom likes to cook, go to Country music concerts, and play golf in his free time. He also enjoys playing frisbee with his dog Booker.
Practice Areas
Business Transactions
Job Titles:
- Professionals, Founding Member