PAYNE & BLANCHARD, L. - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Professor of Psychology at Texas Woman 's University
Education
Texas Tech University, B.A., 2013
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2020
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2020
Dallas Bar Association
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Personal
Emily was born in Jamestown, North Dakota and grew up in Beaumont, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in Linguistics from Texas Tech University and remains a loyal Texas Tech enthusiast. She then moved to Dallas in 2017 to obtain her law degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. Personal interests include cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.
Heather Forgey is experienced in litigating disputes centered on a variety of allegations from simple negligence to medical malpractice, products liability, construction defect, and premises liability. She enjoys the fast-paced nature of litigation and thrives when called upon to discover, understand, and communicate the fundamental notions of fairness and justice at issue in complex disputes. She was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Education
University of California, Davis, B.S., 2001
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, J.D. magna cum laude, 2004
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2005
Admitted, State Bar of California, 2005
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Practice Areas
General Tort Defense
Job Titles:
- Office Manager
- Support Staff
Jim Frederick is an experienced civil trial attorney who represents clients involved in litigation throughout Texas, with his focus primarily being in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. He has represented individuals and companies in cases involving trucking and automobile litigation, subrogation, construction litigation, personal injury defense, premises liability, product defect and wrongful death litigation.
Education
University of Texas at Dallas, B.B.A., 2003
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 2010
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2010
Dallas Bar Association
United States District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Practice Areas
Commercial Auto and Trucking Litigation
Kenneth Sheets' practice focuses on defending parties involved in civil litigation. He has successfully represented individuals and businesses in lawsuits involving construction defects, products liability, premises liability, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, and commercial vehicle accidents.
Prior to joining Payne & Blanchard in 2008, Kenneth served as a judge advocate in the United States Marine Corps. While on active duty, Kenneth had a diverse practice that included consumer protection law, family law, and military justice. In 2007 and 2008, Kenneth deployed to Iraq and served as the Battalion Judge Advocate for Second Reconnaissance Battalion.
Education
University of Texas at Arlington, B.A., 2001
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2004
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2004
Admitted, Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
Admitted, U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Practice Areas
Personal Injury Defense
Kevin Cook is an experienced trial and appellate attorney who represents clients involved in litigation across North Texas. He also has represented insurers in coverage litigation throughout the State of Texas.
Education
University of Texas at El Paso, B.S., 1978
Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 1981, magna cum laude
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern Districts of Texas
Practice Areas
Insurance Coverage
Melissa Hatcher is a civil trial attorney who had a prior career in claims before becoming an attorney. She represents both companies and individuals in first and third party commercial and personal automobile litigation, personal injury defense, insurance coverage disputes, premises liability and wrongful death litigation.
Education
University of Maine at Presque Isle, B.A., 1999
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2018
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2018
Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter, 2011
Personal
Melissa is originally from Maine. However, she has lived in several states prior to her husband's retirement from the U.S. Navy. Melissa's personal interests include going on cruises, going to theme parks. and spending time on lakes.
Morgan Reinhardt is a civil trial attorney who represents clients involved in litigation throughout Texas, primarily in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She has represented both companies and individuals in cases involving automobile litigation, personal injury defense, insurance coverage disputes, and construction litigation.
Education
The College of William & Mary, B.A., 2017
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2020
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2020
Dallas Bar Association
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Practice Areas
Personal Injury and Tort Defense
Nathan Fisher is a trial attorney who represents clients involved in litigation across North Texas. During his time in law school, Nathan developed the desire to become a trial attorney and zealously represent his clients throughout the litigation process. His courtroom experience began when he served as a student attorney representing indigent clients in the SMU Family Law Clinic.
Education
Texas Tech University, B.B.A., 2013
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 2022
Practice Areas
Commercial Auto and Trucking Litigation
Sam Polak is an experienced trial attorney who represents clients involved in litigation across North Texas. He has successfully tried over one hundred jury trials to verdict over the past twenty-five years in cases involving trucking and automobile litigation, construction litigation, personal injury defense, first party insurance claims, premises liability, product liability and wrongful death litigation, resulting in favorable results for the client. He was selected as one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas" by D Magazine in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. He was selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers by his peers in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Education
Louisiana State University, B.A., 1990
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 1993
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 1993
U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Defense Research Institute
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Practice Areas
Commercial Auto and Trucking Litigation
Shawn Stewart has been representing clients throughout the State of Texas since 2004 in cases involving personal injuries, construction defects, and premises liability. He also is experienced in insurance coverage matters for both commercial and personal lines policies. At present, he handles all aspects of litigation from initial investigation through jury trials.
Education
Rice University, B.A., 2001
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 2004
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2004
U.S. District Court, Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
Practice Areas
Commercial Auto and Trucking Litigation
Veronica Valdez is a trial attorney who represents clients involved in litigation across North Texas. As a student, Veronica knew she wanted to become a trial attorney and focused on the litigation practice area. Her courtroom experience began when she served as a student attorney representing indigent clients in the SMU Legal Clinic Program. Additionally, she gained advocacy skills as a veteran team member on the ABA Client Counseling Team.
Education
University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 2005
Southern Methodist University School of Law, J.D., 2011
Professional Affiliations
Admitted, State Bar of Texas, 2012
SMU Dedman School of Law Emerging Leader Board
Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
Dallas Bar Association
Practice Areas
Commercial Auto and Trucking Litigation