MACDONALD DEVIN MADDEN KENEFICK & HARRIS, P.C. - Key Persons
Amy Harris joined Macdonald Devin in 1989 and represents clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, primarily in insurance defense litigation and insurance coverage. She has served as state and national counsel for clients to ensure their interests are consistently protected, and is currently serving as national defense counsel for a client in major pharmaceutical litigation. She also has experience in representing clients in class actions and mass tort litigation.
Amy has represented a myriad of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, insurers, product manufacturers and distributors, major retailers, hotels, property owners and managers, and construction companies. Her areas of expertise include appellate, insurance, products liability, personal injury and tort litigation, employment and labor law, hospitality law, premises liability, and toxic tort.
Amy provides seasoned representation for insurance companies in coverage lawsuits and disputes, including pursuing or defending the insurance company's position in declaratory judgment actions, defending bad faith claims, analysis of coverage issues and disputes, preparation of coverage opinion letters, preparation of the carrier's reservation of rights and denial letters, and monitoring significant claims and lawsuits in order to protect the interests of primary and excess carriers.
Her practice also includes substantial experience in trial and litigation support, including providing guidance to trial counsel in the analysis and presentation of legal issues, trial strategy, concentration on procedural issues and motions, summary judgment and dispositive motions, preparation of jury charges, presentation of arguments throughout the litigation and at trial, and briefing of complex legal issues.
Amy frequently speaks and conducts presentations for clients on legal developments and trends, as well as other issues of significance to her clients.
She is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, U.S. District Courts for Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Jacob Borchers knows how to defend his clients. A skilled litigator and focused problem solver, Jacob provides aggressive representation in a wide range of commercial litigation and insurance defense matters. Working closely with each client, Jacob develops and implements strategies designed to obtain the most positive outcome while also keeping an eye on his clients' bottom lines.
For more than a decade, Jacob has represented corporations, general contractors, and small businesses in a variety of business and personal injury cases. Jacob understands that what comes before any trial is as important as the trial itself. In addition to obtaining verdicts in his clients' favor after bench and jury trials, Jacob has a long record of success resolving cases through motion practice, with summary judgments, directed verdicts, and other favorable resolutions coming after his compelling briefing and forceful court arguments.
A native of North Dallas, Jacob earned his Juris Doctor from Baylor University after receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Jacob joined Macdonald Devin Madden Kenefick Harris as an associate in 2014 after building his litigation practice at other Dallas firms. He is a member of the Dallas Bar Association.
Jennifer Cheek has over ten years of experience representing clients in complex catastrophic loss cases in state and federal court nationwide. She practices with an emphasis on deliberate preparation both in the defense of her clients in pending litigation as well as in the development of strategies to limit future exposure and liability.
Jennifer's practice focuses on product liability, environmental law, toxic torts, transportation, commercial litigation and premises liability. In these complex and high- stakes matters, Jennifer prides herself on her ability to break down and explain complicated technical issues to judges and juries. She has a strong background working with a variety of experts in highly technical cases and enjoys working collaboratively with clients to develop and implement the most effective and efficient defense approaches for each case.
Jennifer attended Baylor University, where she graduated with honors, before earning her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of Louisville. She is admitted to practice in all state courts in the states of Texas, Kansas, and Missouri as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri and the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Accounting and HR Manager
Tonika Brown is an associate at the firm who has spent the better part of her life serving and advocating for others. Hardworking, tenacious, and resilient, she has consistently demonstrated her talent and commitment to providing exceptional representation based on preparation, planning, and thoughtful analysis.
Focusing on the defense of insurance and products liability matters and a Certified Mediator in Early Alternative Dispute Resolution, Tonika brings a wealth of impressive and relevant experience to her practice that began well before her admission to the bar. While an undergraduate at Texas Tech University, she studied abroad in Spain to research/analyze incarcerated women and juvenile delinquents and volunteered as an advocate for battered women and children, among a host of volunteer and community activities.
During her time at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Tonika participated in a wide range of activities and competitions and handled civil and criminal cases as an academic licensed legal intern. She served as the Vice President of the Black Law Students Association and worked at the Supreme Court of Oklahoma as a legal intern assisting the State Deputy General Counsel.
Tonika is licensed to practice in all Texas state courts as well as the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. When not serving her clients, she enjoys spending time volunteering with her family and friends, viewing art shows, and attending live music concerts.