BAILEY & GALYEN ATTORNEYS AT LAW - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Personal Injury Litigation
Job Titles:
- American Inn of Court, Associate
Benton Gann is not your typical personal injury attorney. Mr. Gann has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Arkansas Tech University, a Master of Science in Forest Resources from University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a Juris Doctorate from UALR Bowen School of Law. Before becoming a personal injury attorney, Mr. Gann operated a real estate company that specialized in managing and developing hunting, farming, and timberland properties in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas. After countless hot summer days getting covered in ticks and chiggers, Mr. Gann decided to change his career path and enrolled in law school. The ticks and chiggers were not the only reason for this change, Mr. Gann was looking for something more in life than what was offered by real estate. Mr. Gann wanted a career where he could help people. Thus, Mr. Gann chose to become a personal injury attorney.
Mr. Gann is currently licensed in Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas. Mr. Gann is a young and aggressive attorney whose practice is solely focused on personal injury cases.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
Job Titles:
- Immigration Attorney / Estate Planning
Claudia V. Cubias is a graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law. She has years of experience in immigration field working for a boutique firm in Dallas before attending law school and volunteering at non-profits as a law student. Ms. Cubias family migrated to the United States in the late 80s from El Salvador and Mexico. Her family's immigration story inspired her to become an attorney to help those in similar need. Ms. Cubias is fluent in written and spoken Spanish.
Cody Jordan was born and raised in Texas. Cody lived in the same Saginaw area home from his birth until the time he graduated from Boswell High School and went off to college. He attended the University of North Texas, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. Cody worked in the field of television sales before moving forward with his desire to be an attorney.
Cody Jordan then headed off to the Rutgers School of Law in New Jersey. He graduated in 2006, and after three years living in the cold northeast, Cody knew he had to come home to Texas. He returned to the DFW Metroplex and started working as an immigration attorney with SafeHaven of Tarrant County, an organization with emergency shelters, counseling services and legal services for survivors of domestic violence. After approximately a year and a half in immigration law, Cody changed the focus of his law practice to helping families in need and crisis with their family law matters, a field he exclusively practices today.
Cody Jordan now works in Bailey & Galyen's Bedford office handling all aspects of family law, such as divorce, child custody, and child support.
Daniel Wood was born and raised in Fort Worth Texas. He graduated from Western Hills High School in west Fort Worth. Daniel stayed in DFW to attend the University of Texas at Arlington where he graduated with honors all while interning at the Securities and Exchange Commission in downtown Fort Worth.
Daniel then moved to Waco to attend Baylor Law School. His accomplishments there included becoming a member of the Order of the Barristers for excellence in moot court and making the Dean's List. Since graduating Daniel has worked as an attorney for 10 years primarily in Tarrant County and has extensive Family Law experience. Daniel's time spent participating in Baylor Law School's rigorous Practice Court program and his time as an attorney in Tarrant County has made him comfortable fighting for his clients in front of judges and juries alike.
Daniel now works at Bailey and Galyen's Summit office handling Family Law cases ranging from divorces and child custody cases to adoptions and child support.
Practice Areas
Family Law
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Family Law Department
Elizabeth Nielsen first knew she wanted to be a lawyer when she was in fifth grade and watched a family member run for a judicial position in Dallas. Ms. Nielsen remains impressed with what attorneys and judges do to help people. Ms. Nielsen recognizes her clients experience tremendous stress when facing family law concerns. She helps relieve that burden through solid advice and advocacy.
Ms. Nielsen received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas. Elizabeth graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio, where she served on the Editorial Board of the St. Mary's Law Journal. Ms. Nielsen has been licensed for 18 years and limits her practice exclusively to family law. Elizabeth Nielsen is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This status is earned by less than 10% of attorneys in Texas.
Elizabeth handles all areas of family law. Ms. Nielsen has assisted clients in the resolution of cases through mediation and informal settlements. Elizabeth has trained in basic mediation and advanced mediation with an emphasis on family law. She has tried cases to judges and to juries. Elizabeth has completed multiple appeals and other post trial proceedings, successfully overturning one trial court in a CPS case. When children are involved, you can count on her to put them first.
Growing up in Texas, Ms. Nielsen LOVES football. The Dallas Cowboys are her favorite professional team. Ms. Nielsen is a mom to three adult children and two dogs.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Family Law Department
Genine Ware, a native of Kansas, is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law. Ms. Ware is a versatile litigator with a background in multiple areas of law. Her primary focus now is family law. Ms. Ware helps clients solve their most challenging legal problems.
Believing that client engagement is central to successful litigation and.or resolution, Genine is committed to building the client relationship. She takes the time to truly involve the client and incorporate their goals, concerns, values and feedback. She collaborates with clients so they can provide valuable input into their cases. Since joining Bailey & Galyen, Genine has used her experiences to assist clients in reaching a solution that best fits their needs, whether or not that involves litigation.
Job Titles:
- Vice President & Managing Attorney, Social Security Disability
Job Titles:
- Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Business Law
Job Titles:
- COO & Firm Managing Attorney
Mr. Bridge is excited to contribute his talents to Bailey & Galyen. He intends to concentrate his efforts on improving efficiencies and exploring opportunities for the firm to grow. He also plans to increase the involvement of the firm and its attorneys in local community activities and other marketing endeavors. Long a rising star in the Texas legal community, Mr. Bridge's experience and proven track record are a perfect fit for the responsibilities and demands required of the Chief Operating Officer at Bailey & Galyen.
Mr. Bridge is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, and has been practicing personal injury law for two decades. During that time, he has settled cases totaling in excess of $50 million in net fees settled. He is also a certified mediator. He and his wife, Lori, have lived in Fort Worth since 1990.
Jane Mapes has been practicing law for 26 years and has devoted her practice to Family Law for the past 16 years, in Texas. Prior to relocating to Texas in 1996, she concentrated on real estate and personal injury law in the State of Florida, where she went to law school, and was admitted to the Bar in 1988. Upon moving to Texas, Ms. Mapes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas, and began practicing with a general practice law firm in Grand Prairie, where she familiarized herself with the courts in Tarrant and Dallas Counties. Jane then joined Bailey and Galyen in July, 1999, devoting herself to the exclusive practice of Family Law in the firm's Irving office. Jane's commitment to accomplishing her client's goals, with the primary purpose of ensuring the best interest of their children, has made her a fierce advocate in the courtroom, as well as a respected colleague in the dispute resolution forum. Jane has participated in almost daily court appearances throughout her tenure at Bailey & Galyen, and has mediated countless family law cases. Her practice includes, but is not limited to assisting clients with issues such as pre- and post-marital agreements, adoptions, paternity determinations, divorce, child support and child custody modification and enforcement; grandparents' access, name changes, post-divorce property matters, termination of parental rights, same-sex partnership agreements, CPS matters, annulment and any other matter affecting the family over which the State has jurisdiction.
Ms. Mapes has also been employed as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas Child Support Division, concentrating on establishment, modification and enforcement of all child support issues.
In March, 2008, Jane participated as an Attorney Ad Litem in the State of Texas vs. YFZ, in San Angelo, Schleicher County, Texas, the largest and most notorious CPS removal of children from polygamous fundamentalist families in the State of Texas.
Jane has been a Board Member of the Dallas Bar Association Family Law Section, an Associate in the Annette Stewart Inns of Court, a member of both the Tarrant County and Dallas County Bar Associations, a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, a "Top Attorney" in Fort Worth Magazine, and is currently a member of the Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts and the State Bar of Texas Family Law Section.
Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: tsanchez@galyen.com Ms. Sanchez received her Bachelor of Arts from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated cum laude in 1985. From there, she earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1989. TERESA SANCHEZ Co-Chair of the Family Law Department Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: jmapes@galyen.com Jane Mapes has been practicing law for 26 years and has devoted her practice to Family Law for the past 16 years, in Texas. JANE MAPES Family Law Attorney Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: cjordan@galyen.com Cody Jordan was born and raised in Texas. Cody lived in the same Saginaw area home from his birth until the time he graduated from Boswell High School and went off to college. He attended the University of North Texas, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Radio, Television and Film. Cody worked in the field of television sales before moving forward with his desire to be an attorney. CODY JORDAN Family Law Attorney
Jennifer is very driven; which helps her be a strong and effective advocate for her clients. She believes in treating people who are dealing with difficult situations as well as happy events such as adoptions and pre-nups with dignity, compassion and respect while providing excellent representation and personal service.
Born and raised in the North Dallas area; Jennifer graduated from Plano Sr. High in 1993. Four years later, she received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice, Business Law and English from UNT. Following college, she took two years off to begin her family before continuing her education and going to law school at SMU. In 2003, she was awarded a Juris Doctor degree and was licensed. In law school, Jennifer was a member of the Moot Court Board as well as treasurer for the Environmental Law Society.
During school and in the 15+ years she has been licensed; Jennifer has been fortunate enough to clerk for a criminal judge as well as gaining a variety of experience in multiple areas of law. She has chosen to focus on family law because it allows her to combine her loves for law, justice, and working closely with people.
As a seasoned criminal defense attorney and a former prosecutor, Jody Jamison has handled criminal cases ranging from DWI and misdemeanors all the way up to first degree felonies, including aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assaults. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law and a stellar reputation among the judges and prosecutors in Dallas, Tarrant and the surrounding counties, Jody is always the lawyer to call when a person has been accused of a criminal offense.
After graduating from Baylor University School of Law, Jody worked for a Dallas litigation boutique, quickly rising to partner specializing in high stakes litigation. From there she served as an assistant district attorney in Kaufman County. During her time as a Kaufman County prosecutor, Jody tried many felonies and misdemeanors before both judges and juries. It was there that she acquired the skills and expertise needed to aggressively advocate for clients in courtrooms throughout North Texas.
Ms. Jamison is deeply committed to the protection of the rights of every client of Bailey and Galyen. She firmly believes that every person accused of an offense should receive the highest level of advocacy, which she has the experience and expertise to provide. As both a former assistant district attorney and as a criminal defense attorney for many years, Jody has an unusual depth of understanding of every step in the court process. Her preparation, negotiation and courtroom skills serve her clients well.
Jody firmly believes that protecting the client's constitutional rights is a must. She zealously defends every client against the charges brought against them, requiring the state to meet its burden and prove each and every element of its case beyond a reasonable doubt to an impartial jury or judge. Because Jody has extensive trial experience in courts throughout Texas, she can clearly and accurately evaluate each charge with a complete understanding of the range of punishment. Jody realizes that being charged with a criminal offense is an extremely stressful and scary situation for anyone. It is her mission to make the process as painless as possible and for every client to understand their options so that they can make an informed decision with regard to resolution of the case, whether through trial or a plea deal.
Jody has been a Texas criminal defense attorney since 2014. She was born in East Texas and grew up here. She graduated from Baylor University and then received her law degree from Baylor University School of Law. She is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and the United States District Court of Northern District. She is also a registered patent attorney before the United State Patent & Trademark Office.
John Robinson has been licensed to practice in Texas since 1991 and attained Board Certification in Criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1998. His Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguished accomplishment that only one in ten Texas attorneys attains. That Certification indicates that Mr. Robinson has substantial, relevant experience and has demonstrated the same in his representation of clients accused of committing crimes.
Mr. Robinson is relentlessly committed to the protection of the constitutional rights of every client. For that, Mr. Robinson is respected throughout Dallas County and surrounding Counties. His experience in preparation, negotiation, and the trial of criminal cases is unparalleled. With over twenty five years of experience throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Mr. Robinson has successfully defended hundreds of clients. His results include numerous dismissals and not guilty verdicts at trial.
Mr. Robinson firmly believes that every person accused of an offense should receive aggressive representation in his/her case from an attorney who understands both the law and the dynamics of the judicial system they are in. He believes that every person accused should completely understand his/her options and make an informed decision on resolving the case, whether that is through a jury trial or a plea bargain.
Protecting the client's right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury is his endpoint. He zealously defends every client against the charges brought against them, requiring the prosecution to meet their burden and prove every element of their case beyond a reasonable doubt. After all, all persons are presumed to be innocent, and the fact of a client's arrest or indictment is not an inference of guilt.
Mr. Robinson has been a criminal defense attorney with Bailey & Galyen since January 1992. He was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Mesquite, Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1988 and received his law degree in 1991 from the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Oklahoma Law Review. Mr. Robinson was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 1991 and the United States District Court Northern District in 1994.
Mr. Robinson is located in the Bedford office. He is Managing Attorney for the Dallas and Tarrant County Criminal Law Division.
Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: jrobinson@galyen.com Mr. Robinson has been licensed to practice in Texas since 1991 and attained Board Certification in Criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1998. His Board Certification is a mark of excellence and a distinguished accomplishment that only one in ten Texas attorneys attains. That Certification indicates that John has substantial, relevant experience and has demonstrated the same in his representation of clients accused of committing crimes. JOHN ROBINSON Criminal Law Attorney Phone: 844-402-2992 E-mail: jjamison@galyen.com As a seasoned criminal defense attorney and a former prosecutor, Jody Jamison has handled criminal cases ranging from DWI and misdemeanors all the way up to first degree felonies, including aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assaults. Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of the law and a stellar reputation among the judges and prosecutors in Dallas, […] JODY JAMISON Criminal Law Attorney
Kern Lewis joined Bailey & Galyen in 2020, bringing extensive experience in brain injury cases. He understands the devastating impact that a brain injury can have on someone's life, and he has dedicated his career to fighting against the negligence of others.
Job Titles:
- Managing Attorney, Workers' Compensation
Job Titles:
- Head
- Personal Injury Attorney
is head of the firm's office in Odessa, Texas. Lane is well-known and respected in the Texas bar and has been named a Rising Star on the Texas SuperLawyers list for multiple years.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President
- Executive Vice President - Litigation Attorney
has joined the firm as Executive Vice President and as a litigation attorney in our Fort Worth office. Michael is the son of firm founder Phillip Galyen. He grew up in Arlington and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.
H. John Gutierrez manages Bailey & Galyen's California office. He has 15 years' experience litigating cases involving personal injuries, premises liability, and insurance claims.
Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: jscherf@galyen.com Jennifer is very driven; which helps her be a strong and effective advocate for her clients. She believes in treating people who are dealing with difficult situations as well as happy events such as adoptions and pre-nups with dignity, compassion and respect while providing excellent representation and personal service. JENNIFER SCHERF Family Law Attorney Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: pkennedy@galyen.com Mr. Kennedy is a native Houstonian with more than 13 years of trial and appellate experience. He built a practice that focused on family, criminal, personal injury and probate law. He has tried over 50 cases, both criminal and civil, to a jury. Mr. Kennedy believes that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions because everyone's legal issue is unique and personal. He provides vigorous representation for his clients with an eye toward finding creative solutions to complex problems. Mr. Kennedy has experience representing clients in Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Waller counties. Mr. Kennedy was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2005 and is licensed to practice in all state courts. PAUL KENNEDY Family Law Attorney Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: dharper@galyen.com DANIELLE CORTEZ-HARPER Family Law Attorney
The law firm of Bailey & Galyen is pleased to announce that James M. Bridge has rejoined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bridge was previously with Bailey & Galyen from 1998 to 2002, and considers his return a welcome homecoming. He comes to Bailey & Galyen from the firm of Loncar Associates, where he managed various offices, most recently in Tarrant County. James brings a wealth of experience in injury cases, both big and small, as well as unprecedented skill in law office management.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Family Law Department
Job Titles:
- Personal Injury Litigation
is a Board Certified personal injury trial attorney. Scott has tried more than 200 cases to jury verdict over his legal career. Scott has obtained substantial verdicts for his clients; and many cases in which there had been no offers of settlement prior to the start of trial. Scott's adversaries know and respect that he will take meritorious cases to trial. His personal injury verdicts have changed the policies of police departments, correctional facilities, human resource departments, emergency rooms, universities, and insurance companies. Scott represents individuals and families who through no fault of their own have been devastated by the negligent conduct of others in dangerous products, negligent doctors, careless drivers, to name a few.
Job Titles:
- Personal Injury Trial Lawyer
Job Titles:
- of Counsel - Bankruptcy Law
Ted Machi grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he graduated with honors from the School of Business. In 1977, he graduated from Marquette University Law School and is still licensed to practice law in the state of Wisconsin. He quickly decided that DFW was the place he wanted to practice law. During undergraduate school and law school, he earned a living as the entertainment director of a nightclub, booking national musical groups including, blues, rock and roll, and jazz greats. He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas and the Eastern Federal District Court in the Eastern District of Texas in 1978.
Ted Machi has been Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy since 1996. He has also been licensed to practice before The United States Supreme Court since 1979. He married in 1983 after chasing his wife for three years around the world. They are very proud of the accomplishments of their three beautiful daughters. He takes a personal interest in all the clients his firm represents and promises to do the very best for each and every one of them. Many clients he has represented on several occasions. He is particularly proud of representing many generations of clients from the same families.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Family Law Department
Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: ykoopman@galyen.com Yvonne Koopman is a graduate of the University of Houston Law Center. She was admitted to the Texas bar in 1989 and has been practicing immigration and citizenship law for 25 years. She enables small family-owned businesses, medium-sized companies and global corporations to hire and retain the skilled and talented employees they need to make […] YVONNE KOOPMAN Immigration Lawyer Phone: (844) 402-2992 E-mail: ccubias@galyen.com Claudia V. Cubias is a graduate of the Saint Louis University School of Law. She has years of experience in immigration field working for a boutique firm in Dallas before attending law school and volunteering at non-profits as a law student. CLAUDIA CUBIAS Immigration Attorney