Paul N. Youngblood

Stephen M. Halbeisen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Insurance Law. Stephen M., who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

“ The Best Lawyers in Dallas ” – Since 2005, Chad Ruback has consistently been named one of “The Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine. This is true of only four other appellate lawyers. “ The Best Lawyers in America ” – Chad is included in the “Appellate Practice” section of The Best Lawyers in America. “ Texas Super Lawyers ” – Chad is included in the Thomson Reuters “Texas Super Lawyers” list, which i...

Andrew Payne graduated at the top of his class in law school and started his career working for a prestigious international firm representing large insurers and corporations. But it did not take long for Andy to realize that he wanted to help people who had suffered harm through no fault of their own, not protect negligent corporations whose actions harmed people. Andy’s passion for handling significant personal injury cases stems from this desire to help people who truly need justice. ...

James P. Whalen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James P., who practices law in Frisco, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dave is a trial lawyer and business counselor that protects and pursues his clients’ interests. Dave’s diverse litigation practice focuses on complex commercial, employment and intellectual property litigation in state and federal courts, and administrative forums in Texas and across the country. Dave's clients include individuals and businesses of all types and sizes, mostly based in Texas or with operations in our state, including Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, do...

David Genender is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. David, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ladd Sanger has over 25 years of experience advising and representing clients in aviation legal matters, including crash litigation, aviation insurance coverage issues, airport use, international aviation conventions, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations. As a pilot with experience flying both fixed-wing planes and helicopters, Ladd understands the technical aspects of aviation crashes and applies that knowledge to all his clients’ matters. Ladd is an FAA-licen...

Marianne M. Auld is the managing partner of Kelly Hart and the chair of the firm’s Appellate section. She has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in both state and federal courts of appeals. Ms. Auld began her career as a law clerk on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Following her clerkship, she joined Kelly Hart as an associate in the firm’s litigation section, where she worked on a wide range of civil matters for clients including governmental entities ...

Kelly Franklin Bagnall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leisure and Hospitality Law and Real Estate Law. Kelly Franklin, who practices law in Dallas, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly Franklin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

C.L. Mike Schmidt has been practicing law for 50 years. For 25 years he was recognized as one of Dallas’ top defense attorneys and is known today as the founder of The Schmidt Firm, PLLC – one of Dallas’ top personal injury plaintiff’s firms. Schmidt is Board Certified in Civil and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He was admitted to the New Mexico b...