TEXAS - Key Persons
Having been a competitive swimmer, water polo player, and triathlete since the age of four, Ashley Cocklin knows how to win. After a shoulder injury in high school, Ashley was forced to find another way to satisfy her competitive side. Ashley graduated with her Associate of Arts degree before finishing high school, then Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science 2 years later. Ashley moved to Texas where she earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence in November of 2021.
Ashley decided to focus her career so she could help children and their families to attend Baylor University School of Law. Ashley was raised by a family full of elementary school teachers who showed her the impact one person can have on a child's life. So, it was not until high school when Ashley realized her desire to advocate for children could be combined with her competitive side. Once she did, she knew she wanted to be a lawyer.
During law school, she combined this desire with her competitive nature and the natural decision was to become a lawyer. Ashley was awarded the "Top Speaker Award" and the "Professionalism Award". Ashley was on the Dean's List for her final two years of law school and represented the 3L class as their Student Bar Association Vice President.
Education:
Doctor of Jurisprudence, Baylor University School of Law, 2021
Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Arizona State University, 2018
Associate of Arts in Social and Behavioral Science, Santa Barbra City College, 2016
Claudia Brice understands how profoundly family law cases can affect her clients and their families as well as the disparities that can occur when a party is not well represented or not represented at all. When working with clients, Claudia's primary objective is to listen to and understand then tailor her legal representation to attain the best possible outcome on the most critical issues.
Claudia grew up in Houston and attended Baylor University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Political Science. She attended Fordham University School of Law and served as an associate editor for the Fordham Urban Law Journal. While in law school, Ms. Brice served as a clerk for Judge John W. Bissell, a United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey. She also worked for the State of New Jersey Division of Law in Tort Litigation. Her work for the public interest earned her the Fordham University Public Interest Award.
Ms. Brice has lived in Dallas since 2009. Before returning to Texas, Ms. Brice spent several years living as an ex-pat in London, Madrid, and Hong Kong. As wonderful as these cities are, her heart was always in Texas, and she was happy to return to the Lone Star State. Ms. Brice enjoys international travel and meeting people from other countries. She grew up in a Spanish-speaking household and is a fluent Spanish speaker.
David Wynne has been practicing in Parker County and Tarrant County for 26 years and has honed his reputation as a shrewd advocate for his clients. Although he is known for being a tough opponent and a prepared litigator, he has been able to maintain long-standing, professional relationships with the judiciary, courthouse staff, and colleagues making him poised to settle matters for the mutual benefit of the parties if that is what the case requires.
David understands that his clients are usually at the worst point of their lives and that the pain and uncertainty of their changing family can be overwhelming and drive good people to behave badly and make poor choices which may have lasting impact on their lives and the lives of their children. David prides himself on communicating effectively with his clients to accomplish the client's objectives while still working within the bounds of his honest and realistic assessments regarding the facts presented.
David graduated from LeTourneau University with a bachelor's degree in business management in 1992. He graduated with his juris doctor degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in 1996. He has been a staple in the Parker County and Tarrant County areas for most of his life. He is a member of the Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
David raised his now adult sons in Aledo and is a proud grandpa to two grandsons. He is also an avid hunter, owner of several deep-sea charter boats in Costa Rica, and owns a pair of zebras, horses, and cattle on his property in Parker County, Texas.
Elizabeth C. Barr is a DFW native that has been practicing Family Law for over 12 years. Elizabeth pursued law school with the intention of practicing Family Law to have a positive impact on children and families. She began her career working for the Office of the Attorney General in Texarkana, Texas. Working there gave Elizabeth invaluable experience in child support matters as well as the policies, procedures, and inner workings of working with government agencies. Working in a city bordering two states provided Elizabeth with knowledge of and practical experience handling multi state litigation. Since transitioning to private practice Elizabeth has successfully completed cases ranging from adoptions, divorce, post-decree proceedings and numerous other family law matters.
Elizabeth's goal is to guide a client through their case and provide them with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about how they would like their case to proceed and what options are most likely to lead them toward their desired outcome. While Elizabeth is naturally competitive and loves to go toe-to-toe in the courtroom, she has the experience to know when other avenues are more advantageous.
Elizabeth currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas and is a lover of literature and all animals but especially her two dogs, Finn, and Sawyer.
Mrs. Satagaj has been recognized in her field as a Rising Star in Texas Family Law by Texas SuperLawyers, an honor bestowed by peer-vote to only a very small percentage of Texas attorneys every year since 2014. She was also named one of the Best Lawyers in America in 2018, 2019, and 2020 for family law. Mrs. Satagaj is well respected by opposing counsel for her professionalism, ethics, legal expertise, and strong courtroom presence.
LeAnn W. Diamond is a lifelong Texan and mother of 4, as well as a seasoned trial attorney with 30 plus years' experience, having become licensed by the Texas State Bar in 1990 and Board Certified in Civil Trial Law in 2002. She has had the privilege of trying cases to juries throughout Texas and in a number of other states, and is admitted to practice in not only Texas state courts but also the federal courts of Texas. Ms. Diamond is pleased to bring her vast experience and savvy to the table on behalf of O'Neil Wysocki's clients.
In addition to having tried a multitude of cases over the years involving divorce, the parent-child relationship, child support, termination and adoption, and post-divorce enforcement matters, Ms. Diamond has extensive experience in trying complex business divorce cases and utilizes that skill in family law matters where the characterization and division of business interests are at issue.
"Knowledge is power" is Ms. Diamond's go-to phrase and she prides herself on shooting straight with clients so that the client is educated and emotionally prepared to be their own best advocate. She focuses on the client's objectives and works with the client to understand their potential outcomes and the necessary path to achieve their best result.
Where litigation is not the wisest path to choose and clients desire to avoid prolonged adversity, Ms. Diamond switches out her trial attorney's hat for her mediator's hat. Having undergone extensive family law mediation training in 1999, Ms. Diamond is able to help clients successfully identify issues and reach agreements to resolve their family law matters.
Michelle May O'Neil has more than 25 years' experience representing small business owners, professionals, and individuals in litigation related to family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and complex property division. Described by one lawyer as "a lethal combination of sweet-and-salty", Ms. O'Neil exudes genuine compassion for her client's difficulties, yet she can be relentless when in pursuit of a client's goals.
One judge said of Ms. O'Neil, "She cannot be out-gunned, out-briefed, or out-lawyered!"
When family matter reaches the point where litigation is involved, the emotions can be as elevated as the stakes, requiring a lawyer with equal parts competence and compassion. A Texas Board Certified Family Lawyer, Patrick Clabby has been providing both to clients all throughout the DFW metroplex for over a decade. A background in computer programming taught him the value of a logical approach and attention to detail, and these skills have served him and his clients well.
In Patrick's extensive litigation practice, he has been involved in every type of family law case, from adoptions to terminations, pre-nuptial agreements to divorces, and everything in between. A true student of the law, he is not afraid to take matters into the appellate arena when justified, providing him and his clients with the full arsenal of legal tactics to achieve their desired outcome.
A son of the DFW metroplex, Patrick took the short trip South to get his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin before returning for his law degree from SMU. When time allows, Patrick enjoys traveling with his wife and two children, and is as happy camping in the wilderness as he is exploring a new city. Though he has seen much of this great country, he still comes back to the metroplex when it's time to cheer on his Cowboys and Rangers for another great season.
Professional Activities:
Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association Member 2008 - Present
Top Texas Attorney in Client satisfaction 2009- Present
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 2016- Present.
With over 28 years of experience, Todd M. Frankfort handles all types of divorce/family law matters with experience in litigation, arbitration, and mediation. With a background in real estate, he specializes in complex divorce litigation, complex property settlements, asset tracing and characterization, employee benefit plans, business valuation and division, child custody/support, paternity, marital agreements, and other family law related matters. While Todd has experience in negotiating the best possible agreement for his clients, he understands that the best settlements come from aggressive representation. He is not afraid to litigate and has successfully represented clients in court throughout Texas, including the Greater Houston area, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, and San Antonio. He has also successfully litigated the return of children from Mexico and complex property division involving Vietnamese companies.
An active member of the Bar and legal community, Todd has been a frequent lecturer on family law matters, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Domestic Relations at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. His experience, intellect, and enthusiasm allow his clients to feel confident and reassured that their matter is being handled with the utmost attention.
Todd understands that family law disputes can be difficult for the parties involved - both emotionally and financially; communicating with your lawyer should not be. Open, honest, and clear communication with clients is one of the most important elements in a successful client representation. Todd strives to maintain open lines of communication with clients regarding all issues relating to their family law matter.
Todd has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer 2012 through 2022, a Thomson Reuters business publication in Texas Monthly Magazine. When not working, Todd enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, cooking, volunteering with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and watching the Boston Red Sox try to win the World Series.