FAMILY LAWYERS - Key Persons
We are proud to have Anthony R. Pax as an attorney associated with Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers. He earned his law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law, where he graduated in the top 18% of his class and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. He is very dedicated to helping his clients with all matters of family law and brings a wealth of talent to our Denton office. He understands the contentious and emotional nature of many family law concerns, and he takes a compassionate, understanding approach to helping his clients achieve the optimal outcome in any issues they face. Attorney Pax's clients are in good hands when they turn to him, as he is a very capable, knowledgeable family lawyer.
Job Titles:
- Meet Our Paralegal
- Paralegal
Ashley Leverett is one of our paralegals at the Frisco office, and she assists our Denton and Collin County family lawyers with enthusiasm and unparalleled attention to detail. She has over 10 years of legal experience, having worked at Child Protective Services (CPS) first as a caseworker and then as a legal liaison.
During her time at CPS, Ashley worked closely with families, court personnel, judges, attorneys, and community agencies, and in the process, gained a deep understanding of the Texas Family Code and how it is applied.
Ashley has been with Coker, Robb & Cannon since October of 2017. As a paralegal for the Frisco office, she assists with ensuring cases run smoothly and assists clients with any questions or concerns they may have. Ashley is a valuable asset as she also assists with CPS cases and helping understand CPS Policy.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Meet Attorney
- Member of Coker
Attorney C. Ashley Covert is a member of Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers and works out of our Frisco, Texas office. Attorney Covert has joined our firm after gaining experience as a legal assistant, paralegal, legal intern, and litigation associate. With her youth spent in McKinney, Texas, Attorney Covert feels a familial connection to the people she helps and represents today.
Education
University of Texas, Dallas, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of Texas, Dallas, Master of Arts in Political Science, Constitutional Law Studies
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Juris Doctor
Hobbies
In her spare time, Attorney Covert likes to bake, practice yoga, go swimming, binge-watch Netflix's most popular shows, or watch Titanic while snacking on Twizzlers. She can also be found spending time with her husband and their two dogs: Basil, her German Shepherd mix, and Max, her Heinz 57 rescue dog.
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Texas
Attorney Hicks then went on to prosecute misdemeanor and felony cases as an Assistant District Attorney for Wichita County, and then as a Regional Attorney for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services CPS Division, in which she covered 9 counties. Next, she went on to work as an Assistant District Attorney for Denton County, where she worked in the CPS division and Juvenile prosecution fields for a respective 5 years each. Thanks to her expansive experience, unparalleled knowledge, and practiced skill, Attorney Hicks is an invaluable part of the team at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers.
Job Titles:
- Member of the State Bar of Texas
A legal representative with a wide range of experience, Attorney Chastity McNair turned to family law after practicing personal injury. Attorney McNair's passion for family law is rooted in her experience serving at the civil and criminal legal clinic at Oxford University, where she studied abroad while attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Her experiences at the clinic and as a member of the Black Law Student Association reinforced a desire to serve clients with compassion and care.
A keen legal strategist in and outside the courtroom, Attorney McNair is committed to ensuring that every client she represents receives a legal strategy tailored to their unique needs, finding inventive solutions to complex issues.
When she's not helping clients navigate legal disputes, you can probably find Attorney McNair spending time with her family, traveling, or listening to artists such as Prince, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, and Michael Jackson.
Education
University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D.
Texas Tech University, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Memberships
Collin County Women Lawyers Association
Dallas Young Lawyers Association
Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas Bar Association
Job Titles:
- Member of the Support Team
- Firm Administrator
- Meet Our Paralegal
After obtaining her bachelor's degree in Human Relations and graduating magna cum laude from Southern Nazarene University, Clair then received her Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law in Lubbock, Texas.
Having worked as an administrative assistant for the FBI in Oklahoma City, as well as a community supervision officer for the Potter County Community Supervision & Corrections Department, Clair has in-depth knowledge of how the court system operates behind the scenes.
In her past work as an associate attorney, she assisted the managing partner of her former firm with both family law and criminal defense cases. Today at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, Clair provides dedicated service to family law and divorce clients throughout the Collin County and Denton County areas.
Job Titles:
- Attorney & Founding / Shareholder
- Meet Our Attorney & Founding Shareholder
Attorney Duane L. Coker is an attorney and the founding shareholder of Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, a boutique law firm focusing on family law. He is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law, as well as a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, and is a certified Ad Litem by the State Bar of Texas.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Consultation Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Support Team
- Consult Coordinator
- Consultation Coordinator
- Meet Our Consult Coordinator
Gaby not only works at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers and absolutely loves the experience she has had but she is also a realtor. She enjoys practicing with her license outside of her time at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers. Helping others and interacting with people is her passion.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Manager
- Member of the Support Team
Job Titles:
- Board Certified Paralegal
- Meet Paralegal
- Paralegal
Paralegal Holly Keen has been in the legal field for over 20 years. Initially working as a legal assistant, Holly transitioned her valuable skills into a viable career as a paralegal, primarily focused on family law and criminal defense.
Thanks to her extensive experience, she has had direct interaction with the counsel, court personnel, and clients in Grayson, Fannin, Collin, Denton, Cooke and Dallas Counties. Holly has also cultivated an incredible, on-the-job education over the years, as she has attended various Grayson County Bar Association meetings, as well as seminars hosted by the State Bar of Texas.
As a paralegal for Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, Holly ensures our office and services run smoothly by preparing and reviewing various pleadings and discovery documents. She also assists clients with any questions or concerns they may have, playing a vital role in our dedication to customer service.
When not working as a paralegal for our firm, Holly enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also an avid bass fisher and regularly participates in fishing tournaments, such as the FLW series, as a bass angler.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Shareholder
- Attorney & Shareholder / Attorney Jacqueline Cannon, a Shareholder at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, Focuses Her Practice on Divorce and Family Law Matters.
- Meet Attorney & Shareholder
From the firm's Denton office, Attorney Cannon helps Denton and Collin County-area clients with legal challenges related to divorce, property division and debt division, spousal support, child support, child custody, post-decree modifications, paternity, adoption, and domestic violence. She has developed a reputation for compassionate representation and guidance to her clients throughout North Texas who are dealing with challenging situations.
Attorney Cannon is a certified mediator, which means that, in addition to representing clients in litigation, she can assist in alternative dispute resolution, collaborative divorce, and other negotiations.
Recognized as a Family Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Attorney Cannon is also a member of the State Bar of Texas, a member of the Denton County Bar Association, and a past president of the Denton County Bar Association's Family Law Section.
After earning her law degree from Texas A&M University School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan University School of Law), Attorney Cannon has consistently proven her skill and ability to her clients and peers. She has earned a coveted Avvo Rating of Superb, based on the reviews of her peers.
Attorney Jennifer S. Hicks is particularly passionate about advocating on behalf of those who are in need of trusted and benevolent legal counsel, care, and representation. An attorney of integrity, she works tirelessly in her relentless pursuit of justice.
Attorney Hicks has contributed a number of valued skills to Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers since joining the firm-including but not limited to her supreme legal talent, unparalleled ability, and enthusiastic resolve to succeed.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Assistant
- Member of the Support Team
- Meet Our Accounts Assistant
Katy Atkins has served Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers for many years as an Accounts Assistant, helping us maintain records, file invoices, and remain up-to-date as a firm overall. Katy's mother also works at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers as the Accounts Manager. We are thrilled to work alongside both women, who are undeniably essential assets to our legal team. Thanks to their help, Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers is able to offer our comprehensive, informative, and personalized services in a timely and organized manner.
In her spare time, Katy loves to spend quality time with her husband of over 10 years, as well as their young daughter. As a family, they particularly enjoy partaking in various family outings, such as camping.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Shareholder
- Attorney & Founding Shareholder
- Meet Shareholder
Attorney Kelly K. E. Robb, Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law, is a Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers shareholder. She joined the firm in 2005.
Attorney Robb works primarily in our Frisco office. Her area of focus is divorce and family law practice, including custody cases (both collaborative and litigation), adoptions, and cases involving Child Protective Services, as well as occasional estate planning.
Attorney Robb is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law. In addition to being a member of the Denton County Bar Association and the Collin County Bar Association, she has held several leadership positions, including past president of the Denton County Bar Association's Family Law Section. Attorney Robb was also was named a SuperLawyer Rising Star and is a certified Ad Litem by the State Bar of Texas.
When she joined Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, Attorney Lauren A. Cardamone brought her drive to succeed, problem-solving abilities, and love of the law to our entire family law team. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 2011, where she also made the Dean's List and became a Gold Member of the Pre-Law Society.
Following her B.A., Attorney Cardamone was then admitted to the Texas A&M University School of Law where she focused on family law early on in her legal career, interning and assisting at multiple family law firms and the Family Law Clinic in the Fort Worth area while obtaining her Juris Doctorate. Lauren earned her J.D. in May 2015.
Before starting here at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, Attorney Cardamone gained a deeper understanding of the trial process while working assisting with legal orders and motions. She solidified the depth of her knowledge of the law working as a Barbri exam tutor for the states of Texas and New York. She is passionate about helping families navigate the court system and finding positive solutions to delicate family matters.
Job Titles:
- Marketing Director
- Member of the Support Team
- Meet Our Marketing Director
Louellen has spent much of her career helping law firms and legal associations effectively communicate within their organizations and with their communities through print, design, and the web. She has written and spoken at many legal professional meetings and conferences about effective communication. She has been a part of the Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers team since the firm's inception, becoming our Marketing Director in 2014.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in English at Baylor University. Louellen has also earned a Secondary English Teacher Certification from Texas Woman's University, as well as a Master of Arts in Technical Communication from the University of North Texas. She is an Associate Fellow of the Society for Technical Communication, and a former president of the Society's Lone Star Chapter. Additionally, she is a former president of the Women Business Owners of Denton County.
While Louellen's professional passion is in the marketing realm, spending time with her high school sweetheart and husband of more than 25 years, Duane L. Coker, brings her the most joy. She is an avid world traveler and enjoys participating in endurance events such as triathlon, bicycling, and marathons. She has successfully completed 6 marathons, more than 30 half marathons, 4 half Ironman distances and one full Ironman (Louisville 140.6), and also enjoys snowboarding and surfing.
Attorney Malorie A. Crosley joined Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers in June of 2017, and our firm is thrilled to work alongside such an experienced, skilled, and tenacious professional. A devoted legal advocate, Attorney Malorie A. Crosley brings an invaluable talent to our incredible team at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers. She understands the contentious and trying nature of many family law concerns, which is why she approaches her clients with an unparalleled level of compassion and understanding. Thanks to all she has accomplished in her years of legal experience, Attorney Crosley's clients are sure to benefit by being in the hands of such a capable and qualified family law attorney.
Job Titles:
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Support Team
- Meet Our Administrative Assistant
Matt Finn is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where he completed his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity and served as the Brotherhood Chair. Matt joined our Denton family law attorneys at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers in February 2016 when he began his career in the legal field.
In his downtime, Matt loves music and attends many different music festivals and concerts. He loves all types of sports, being physical, and takes part in outdoor activities. He loves hiking, rock climbing, and swimming.
Job Titles:
- Board Certified Paralegal
- Meet Our Paralegal
Melissa Ruden joins Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers as a talented paralegal. For years, she has worked as a paralegal for a variety of other leading law firms throughout Texas. The experience she earned in these roles throughout the years has marked her as one of the most sought-after paralegals in the state. Today, she brings her experience and insight to our law firm to best assist our attorneys, which enables us to serve our clients better.
In 2011, she completed her paralegal certification from the Arlington Career Institute in Grand Prairie, Texas. Melissa also completed a Real Estate License Course from the Champions School of Real Estate in Fort Worth in 2017. This unique insight into real estate matters is most beneficial for our legal team when a divorce deals with complex real estate property division matters.
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Member of the Support Team
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Meet Our Legal Secretary
- Paralegal
A graduate of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the field of Criminal Justice, our legal secretary Rachel Dennis brings her passion for the law and keen eye for detail to our entire team of Denton County family lawyers. She obtained her paralegal certificate from Texas Christian University in November 2018.
She has over 5 years of experience making customers smile and paying attention to their needs while serving as a server and hostess in the restaurant industry. Today, she demonstrates that same warmth, dedication, and ease under pressure to everyone who walks through the door at our Frisco office.
An experienced, client-focused legal representative, Attorney Romi Schwartz is dedicated to ensuring her clients receive empathetic, dedicated counsel. Attorney Schwartz's prior experience working as a legal consultant for organizations such as P and P Investigations, as well as the divorce and family law firm Stephen D. Jackson, PLLC, enables her to leverage her experience in and outside of the courtroom on behalf of our clients at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers.
Attorney Schwartz believes in utilizing a holistic approach to complex family law issues, ensuring her clients are not only advocated for in the courtroom, but also receive the emotional support they deserve throughout their case.
When she's not helping our clients, you can find Attorney Schwartz playing with her dog Beau, traveling, watching movies, or spending time with her friends and family.
Education
Thurgood Marshal School of Law, J.D.
Texas Tech University, Bachelor of Arts, English Language and Literature
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Member of the Support Team
Legal assistant Samantha Parish discovered a passion for administrative work while acting as an admissions ambassador for Bryn Mawr College, helping students find success in their academic endeavors. Samantha also has experience working for organizations such as Emma Sweeney Agency and Pegasus Books, taking care of various editorial, clerical and administrative duties.
Today, Samantha helps ensure that our clients at Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers, are taken care of and pursue ideal outcomes in their cases.
Education
Bryn Mawr College, Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing
Attorney Shelby Hart has long been associated with our firm. He interned with Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers while in law school. He is incredibly passionate about helping clients with family law matters and had this to say: "Throughout my life, it's always brought me joy to help others. Family law provides me that outlet to help and guide people through their problems and through the most difficult time of their life."
After his first year of law school, Attorney Hart attended a summer program at the University of Oxford, in Oxford, England, to further his legal education.
When she is not working, Shmyla is a travel and adventure enthusiast. She also enjoys baking and spending time with her adorable pups, Rory and Arlo.
Toya Brown began her legal career in 2007 in the Civil and Family Division of the Denton County District Clerk's office and joined the Coker, Robb & Cannon, Family Lawyers team in 2011. She serves as a liaison between our clients and attorneys providing clients with updates and addressing their questions and/or concerns throughout the life of their cases. Toya works primarily in our Denton office.
Toya earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Political Science from the University of North Texas. She is a member of the Denton County Paralegal Association.
Toya is passionate about working with kids in the community. When she's not in the office or at church, you'll likely find her on a sideline or in the stands of a youth sporting event where she'll be cheering on her family and friends.