ESTES THORNE EWING & PAYNE - Key Persons
Abby has built a practice representing people from all walks of life, from single parents to CEOs and entrepreneurs, during some of the most difficult times in their lives. She brings a distinct ability to understand and relate to people at the most fundamental level when representing her clients, both inside and outside the courtroom.
Abby has experience in complex property division and divorce cases, pre- and post-marital agreements, collaborative divorce, and child support and custody matters, including those involving the UCCJEA and 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Abby's background as a commercial litigator serves as a benefit to her clients, and while she always strives to resolve matters in the most amicable and efficient manner, she is a skilled advocate in court who gets straight to critical issues and gets results effectively. The breadth of her legal experience, coupled with her dedication to her clients, results in legal representation that helps her clients secure the outcomes that move their lives and their goals forward.
Abby has repeatedly been named one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine and has been included among The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law and Collaborative Law and on the list of Texas Super Lawyers published by Texas Monthly magazine (Thomson Reuters). She has also been recognized by Lawdragon as one of the 500 Leading Family Lawyers in America.
"I've worked with some of the greatest lawyers in the U.S., but for divorce - friendly or hostile - Abby is their equal. She has just the right balance of grace, experience, creativity, know-how and determination to adjust to the particulars of each situation. She works to keep it friendly but defends her clients smartly with as much tenacity and force as the situation requires."
Ariana is known for her attention to detail and natural curiosity, skills she honed while working in geology and planetary science prior to entering law school. These days, instead of exploring the universe, Ariana helps clients explore solutions to their legal problems.
Ariana represents clients in a wide range of commercial, business litigation and family law matters. Her experience includes commercial contract litigation, employment disputes, Defense Base Act litigation and other workers' compensation claims, personal injury and wrongful-death litigation, and divorce and child custody matters.
She has experience representing clients in state and federal courts, federal administrative courts, multi-district litigation, and in alternative dispute resolution forums.
Education and Certifications
J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School (2021)
M.S., The University of Tennessee (2018)
B.A., Colby College (2014)
Experience and Expertise
Job Titles:
- Senior Notes & Comments Editor
Job Titles:
- Committee Co - Chair ( 2011 )
While she always mounts an aggressive defense, Carol understands that being an attorney is about more than what you do in the courtroom. It's about helping your clients determine what their goals are. It's about relationships and trust. It's about helping people through difficult times.
Carol works with both businesses and individuals to solve commercial legal problems. She's handled a wide range of issues, from contract claims and lender/borrower disputes to fraud and other business torts. In addition to the clients she works for, Carol's experience has proven useful to the lawyers she works with. She believes an important part of her job is to help educate other attorneys on how to comply with ethical guidelines and steer clear of any morally gray areas.
Always mindful that legal strategies have business and bottom line implications, Carol focuses on solutions that keep businesses moving forward. Just one more reason clients turn to Carol when a problem needs to be solved.
Education and Certifications
J.D., Baylor Law School, with honors (1993)
Charles values the unique nature of every situation and strives to thoughtfully serve each client with pragmatic representation tailored to their needs and goals.
His practice experience includes representing large corporations, small businesses, and municipal entities in state and federal courts on matters ranging from contractual disputes to departing employee litigation to complex commercial cases.
Outside of the law, Charles loves live music, baseball, and vinyl records.
Education and Certifications
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law (2018)
B.A., Oklahoma Christian University (2015)
Experience and Expertise
David's practice focuses on complex business and commercial litigation. Specific areas of litigation include real estate, intellectual property, and employment matters. David has also worked on high stakes international white collar investigations and conducted extensive corporate audits relating to US government enforcement actions concerning national security matters, compliance with US export control laws, and sanctions relating to the export of sensitive technology.
Education and Certifications
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law (2018)
They know Dawn is as comfortable in state and federal courts and arbitrations as she is being lead singer of her own band. AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Dawn is widely regarded as an attorney of great stature- not only for her impressive track record in state and federal court but also because, well, she's very tall - even before she steps into her signature stiletto heels. Those who've seen her in court say she towers above her competition, literally and figuratively.
Dawn can play tough, but she also plays well with others. She serves as a court-appointed mediator, and she also serves as an arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Commercial and Employment Arbitrators. Over the past 15 years, Dawn has presided over dozens of arbitration hearings with hundreds of millions claimed in damages and more than 70 days of evidentiary hearings.
Dawn recently received recognition as one of 335 attorneys nationwide who have been named as a BTI Client Service All-Star through a national survey of general counsel. Clients appreciate Dawn's passion and hands-on commitment to their cases; she treats her clients' problems as if they were her own, working collaboratively to resolve matters, whether that means going to the courthouse or avoiding the courthouse.
Dawn has been selected by The Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation, and she was chosen by fellow members of the Texas Bar Association as a Texas Super Lawyer in Business Litigation in every year since the award was created. She also has the distinction of being selected as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas, one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Texas (as published by Texas Monthly), and one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine. Dawn has also served as an Adjunct Professor at SMU's Dedman School of Law.
Education and Certifications
Experience and Expertise
When a client faces a challenging opponent, Jennifer is the veteran coach, the crafty point guard and the team's best defender all rolled into one. She'll quickly assess the rules of the game and the opponent's defense and then execute the best game plan to help her client win - whether "winning" means taking a case to trial or finding a negotiated resolution that saves a critical business relationship.
Jennifer has extensive experience tackling complex problems for clients in many types of commercial disputes, from IT outsourcing contract disputes to mortgage-backed security suits. She has also successfully litigated product liability class actions; antitrust claims; and patent, trademark, trade-secret, IP licensing and other IP litigation. She has represented Fortune 100 companies in "bet the company" disputes, as well as underdogs taking on some of the largest companies in the world.
Colleagues and clients appreciate Jennifer's passion, loyalty and excellent sense of humor - honed, no doubt, as a trombone player in marching band (she still plays in the SMU Alumni Band during basketball season). Her approachable, straight-shooting style - combined with her diverse legal skill set - makes her the kind of lawyer whom clients want by their side in a court, at an arbitration or at the next game.
Education and Certifications
J.D./L.L.M., Comparative and International Legal Studies, Duke University School of Law, cum laude (1997)
After working on complex litigation cases for a few years, Jessica was asked to assist on a large family law case. Through that experience, she discovered her passion as a lawyer. No longer was Jessica behind the scenes doing paperwork, but she learned first-hand that the right experience with the right attorney could literally change someone's life in a divorce or other family law matter. After that, Jessica's goal was clear. She wanted to be that right attorney, helping her clients find something better on the other side of what is often a very difficult period in their lives. "Everything just clicked from that point forward." She's never gotten away from the paperwork, but she's staying optimistic.
In addition to family law, Jessica has an extensive background in business litigation, including cases involving breach of contract, fraud, patent infringement claims, product liability and construction problems. This gives her family law clients a perspective they wouldn't get with other lawyers, while her background in family law enables her to work with corporate clients with a personal understanding of what litigation problems and cases actually mean to a company and its employees. Some say this makes her a double threat. Others have lost count.
Outside the office, Jessica has worked with different organizations supporting children and education. She is a strong advocate for children and actively seeks to connect young people to educational opportunities and to help break cycles of crime and poverty. Jessica is also a fan of sporting events. If she is not watching her own children play, you may find her watching the Frisco RoughRiders or the Dallas Mavericks. She also loves going to concerts and listening to live music. Not surprisingly for this person who loves working with families, Jessica's favorite times are those spent with her family.
Education and Certifications
J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law (1995)
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Partner ( SHE / HER / HERS )
- President of Resource Center
What's Linda's secret to success? Simply put, she's more prepared than those she goes up against. Knowing a case inside and out is something Linda takes very seriously. And it's paid off. Ask around, and everyone she represents - and even some she doesn't - will tell you how good she is at her job. One client recently said: "I'd hate to go to battle against her. I'm glad she's on my team."
Linda brings a unique set of skills to the table that many attorneys can't match. While she has broad experience in general litigation, as well as civil and insurance defense, her main focus is in litigation concerning the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA. This is an often complex area of the law dealing with benefit plans that many lawyers are unfamiliar with, which makes her a valuable addition to any team.
An advocate for the LGBTQ community, Linda has served as President of Resource Center, a Dallas-based organization, which operates one of the largest LGBTQ community centers in the United States and provides education, advocacy and health services. In her free time, Linda raises purebred show dogs, including the top-winning cocker spaniel of all time. Depending on the weekend, you just might find her at one of the many dog shows held throughout the United States.
Education and Certifications
J.D., St. Mary's University School of Law (1979)
Lori Carr likes freedom. The freedom to put her clients at the center of her practice. The freedom to staff a case the way she knows it should be staffed. The freedom to establish fee arrangements that work for both the client and the firm. And frankly, the freedom to play the occasional round of golf. So, when the opportunity to team up with other talented women and start their own firm presented itself, Lori didn't need a lot of convincing. "I never looked back," she says.
Although originally studying to be a tax lawyer, Lori gravitated to labor and employment law while clerking for a federal judge after graduating law school. She's board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and she represents employers in both state and federal courts, arbitration proceedings, and before government agencies. She has experience in many areas, including litigation defense, risk management, training, consultation, investigations, and representation during government audits or enforcement proceedings. One thing that sets Lori apart from other labor and employment attorneys is her vast experience and specialty in representing employers against OSHA. She is also frequently trusted with conducting investigations involving sensitive issues and involving complaints against high-level company executives.
Among her other accolades, Lori is also an accomplished golfer. In fact, she's made two holes-in-one. If that wasn't enough, Lori frequently lectures on employment policies, management training and compliance with state and federal employment laws.
Education and Certifications
Experience and Expertise
Job Titles:
- Outstanding Senior Student