Michael A. "Mike" Swartzendruber

As a partner with Payne Mitchell Ramsey Sanger Law Group, Todd Ramsey offers clients his expertise in the preparation and trial of catastrophic personal injury cases. Todd has been consecutively recognized in issues of Best Lawyers in America® and has been named one of the Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine . He has also been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly . Todd is a member of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association...

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.

Practice Areas Labor & Employment Law Arbitration/Mediation/ADR Practice Emphasis Ms. Carr is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is an experienced mediator and arbitrator. Her expertise is in representing employers in all matters arising out of the employment relationship, including litigation defense, risk management, training, consultation, and representation during government audits. Ms. Carr has first chair trial experience in...

Gordon Russell, a founding Director of the Firm, is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and of the Business and Corporate Transactional Practice Group. Gordon has concentrated his practice on banking and financial institutions, business and corporate, real estate and resolution of distressed assets. He has extensive experience in commercial lending, real estate development and finance, and business transactions. Gordon also maintains a regular general business practice, includin...

Michelle Apodaca is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Michelle, 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 Michelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

An accomplished trial lawyer, Darren Nicholson has been trying cases in state and federal courts for more than twenty years. After beginning his career at Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington D.C., one of the country’s premier law firms, he returned to Dallas in 2008 and became a partner at the nationally-recognized trial boutique Sayles Werbner PC. Darren joined Burns Charest LLP in 2019 with one goal in mind – to help build one of the premier trial firms in the country. Darren&...

John Barcus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. John, 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 John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Haleigh has broad commercial litigation experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants at every stage of lawsuits involving real estate, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, business divorce, personal injury and tort litigation, and aviation. Haleigh has distinguished herself as an associate by her maturity in the courtroom. She has briefed and argued motions at every stage of litigation, deposed fact and expert witnesses, successfully mediated disputes at their infanc...

Chauncey structures and negotiates complex transactions for strategic buyers and sellers as well as private equity firms in the technology, manufacturing and financial services industries. A thought leader on rapidly evolving deal trends and strategies, Chauncey is regularly called on to advise clients on their most significant transactions, including stock and asset acquisitions, going private transactions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, platform acquisitions, add-on acquisitions and recapit...

Chalk is a 1973 graduate of University of Texas School of Law (J.D.), with prior M.A. (1967) and B.S. (1962) degrees from Tennessee Tech University, and A.A. degree (1956) from Freed-Hardeman College. Prior to joining in 1986 Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC, Fort Worth, Texas, and its predecessors, Chalk was President of Dabney Capital, Dallas, Texas (1984-86) (real estate finance), General Counsel and Vice President of LaJet, Inc., Abilene, Texas (1978-84) (petroleum refining and ...