Dawn M. Wright

Christine Demana is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Christine, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Felicity has more than 28 years of experience representing employers in all facets of employment law, including litigation, arbitrations, injunctive relief, administrative proceedings, counseling and trainings throughout the United States and in a few foreign jurisdictions.She has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1998 as a specialist in the field of Labor and Employment Law, and chaired a multitude of lawsuits on behalf of employers in state and federal courts (...

Sarah Wirskye has been defending clients in white-collar criminal, False Claims Act and civil fraud disputes with the government for over 25 years. A strategic problem solver who is results focused and detail oriented, she works proactively with the government to help clients avoid an indictment or lawsuit. Sarah is an experienced courtroom litigator who has successfully tried white-collar criminal, civil, and other criminal cases in federal and state court. Sarah also has represented clients...

The first time I ever stood up in front of a jury, I knew that it was where I belonged. I’ve been told that, in front of a jury, I seem to have the opposite of stage fright, and I suppose that’s true. It’s where I feel most comfortable: advocating for my clients, arguing their cases. As a trial lawyer, the courtroom is my second home. I try cases because I enjoy helping people, whether they’re ordinary people who’ve been wronged by a product, company, or a busine...

Scott C. Wallace is the executive partner of Holland & Knight's Dallas office and practices in the area of corporate finance. Mr. Wallace counsels financial institutions in a variety of financing transactions, including asset-based and cash flow lending, subordinated debt, mezzanine and structured finance transactions, as well as workouts and restructurings. He is experienced in helping clients close deals efficiently in a rapid marketplace. Mr. Wallace also represents borrowers in financ...

Phillip W. McCrury is the chair of the firm’s Estate, Trust, Probate, and Asset Protection section. He assists individuals, families, and family offices with all varieties of estate planning, generational wealth transfer strategies, trusts, life insurance strategies, and asset protection planning. In addition, he is involved in probate matters throughout Texas, including contested probate matters. Mr. McCrury is an active member of a number of bar sections involving estate and probate m...

Liz Schartz represents management in client counseling and litigation of employment and labor law matters. Her expertise includes litigating discrimination, wage-and-hour, employee benefit, and state-law contract and tort claims; counseling employers on sensitive personnel and complex employment law matters; workplace investigations; employee classification issues; executive compensation, change-in-control, and separation issues; drafting and litigating non-competition and related covenants; ...

Amy E. Lott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Amy E., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amy E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rachael L. Smiley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Rachael L., who practices law in Plano, Texas, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rachael L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pat Sargent focuses on structured finance, corporate securities and business transactions, including extensive experience in securitization of diverse asset types, collateralized mortgage obligations, pass-through certificates, bond financings and various project and international finance transactions. He has represented a national credit rating agency in commercial mortgage and asset-backed securitizations and also represents issuers, underwriters, investors and servicers in public and priva...