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Our Attorneys

As a fourth generation attorney, Debbie Dudley Branson has a strong family history and understanding of what it means to be a lawyer. She was raised to believe that lawyers can and should be community leaders, public servants, and the impetus for positive social change.

Since 1983, she has practiced with the Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, P.C. and works as part of an experienced trial team on a full spectrum of cases. Her work is concentrated behind the scenes, focusing on litigation strategy for cases which include focus groups, attitudinal surveys, voir dire, witness preparation, argument and jury debriefing.

Keys to Winning a Case

Branson says the work done by their trial team is as good as you'll find anywhere. "Everyone here understands hard work. There is tenacity, a strong belief in the case of a client, the will to win, and the financial resources that are needed in each and every case."

According to Branson, preparation, brainpower, energy and resources are all important keys to good results for clients, but, "[t]he real difference stems from Frank. He brings a bold, creative approach to case preparation. He thinks outside the box, pushing everyone to think creatively." That is a rare quality in law offices. "Our firm should be considered in any major litigation based on the depth of experience, the level of commitment, the trial team approach and the willingness to stand tall when it counts."

Commitment to the Community

Through the years, Branson has worked continuously in her chosen profession and in the community, where she readily assumes roles where she can work toward positive change - both professionally and civically. Her accomplishments are many: she is the past President and a Fellowship Member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. On a national level, she recently completed service as Acting Chair, Board of Trustees and Chair, Budget Committee of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. She also served on the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council. In addition, she was Vice-Chair of the List Committee and a member of the List Advisory Committee of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. She has also served as President of the Dallas Women's Foundation, Secretary of the Executive Committee of Planned Parenthood and Texas Chair of the Women's Leadership Forum for the Democratic National Committee.

Education

Experience
Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, P.C., Dallas, Texas, 1983 - present
- Personal injury trial practice.
Arnold, Lavender, Rochelle, Barnette & Franks, Texarkana, Arkansas, 1980 - 1983
- Engaged in the general practice of law.

Professional licenses
- Licensed to practice in Texas and Arkansas.

Professional Affiliations

Participation and leadership in various professional organizations
including:

- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
    • Fellowship member
    • Political Chair, Executive Committee (2002-2003)
    • President (2000)
    • Treasurer, Executive Committee - Officer of the organization directly responsible for management of budget (1996-1998).
    • Board of Directors - Oversees direction and operation of organization (1994-present).
    • Trustee, TTLA Benefit Trust - One of the trustees responsible for management of Trust purchasing and providing health care insurance coverage for member participants (1996-1997). Trust terminated in 1997.
    • SMU Law School Chapter Advisory Board (1998 - present)

- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    • Board of Governors (2006-present)
    • Sustaining Member
    • Vice-Chair, List Committee (2003-2005, 1999-2000)
    • Co-Chair, List Committee (2000-2003)
    • Co-Chair, List Advisory Committee (2000-2001)
    • Key Persons Committee (2003-2006, 1998-99)
    • List Advisory Committee (1998-99)
    • List Committee (2005-08)
    • ATLA PAC Board of Trustees (1999-2002)
    • State Liaison, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (2002-2003)
    • 2003 & 1999 Wiedeman/Wysocki Award
    • Roscoe Pound Institute, Sustaining Fellow
    • President's Club

- Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
- Arkansas Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas

- Dallas Bar Association
    • Juror Participation Committee (2001)
    • Publications Committee (1990)

- Dallas Women Lawyers Association
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- 112th American Inn of Court, Dallas
- American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects
- The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
- American Society of Trial Consultants
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Arkansas Bar Foundation, Fellow

Gubernatorial and Presidential Appointments

- Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council
    • Board Member, 2000-2003. Council created to provide advice and counsel to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and to function as an oversight resource for matters under the jurisdiction of the FAA.

- Securities Investor Protection Corporation
    • Acting Chair, Board of Trustees (2001-2002); Vice Chair, Board of Trustees,
(1995-2001). Agency established to promote public confidence in the nation's securities markets by guaranteeing the return of property within certain limits to investors if securities firms fail. SIPC is a member-financed, private, nonprofit corporation.
    • Chair, Budget Committee. $73.5 million revenue (2000); $1.2 billion reserve (Feb. 2001).

- Chair, Select Committee on Rate and Policy Form Regulation (1994)
    • Interim committee established to study insurance rate and policy form regulation in the state of Texas including:

1. Effects of changes in insurance regulation previously made;
2. Degree of competition in insurance industry; and
3. Availability of motor vehicle insurance, number of uninsured drivers, and number of drivers insured through TAIPA to determine if certain geographic areas are underserved.

- Texas Judicial Council (1992-1997)
    • Agency charged by statute with studying and gathering statistics on the organization, rules, procedures and practice, work accomplished, results, and uniformity of the discretionary powers of the state courts and methods for improvement.

Publications

Co-author of various articles relating to trial techniques and demonstrative evidence for such magazines as TRIAL, Litigation and Products Liability. Editor of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Forum from 1991-1994.

Civic, Charitable, Political

Contributor to various organizations which represent commitment to social and political issues involving women, child abuse, choice, and the election of Democrats.

- Dallas Women's Foundation
    • President (1999)
    • President-Elect (1998, Executive Committee)
    • Chair, Nominating Committee (1997, Executive Committee)
    • Board of Directors (1994-1999)
    • Advisory Council (2002-2005)

- Planned Parenthood
    • Secretary (1998-1999, Executive Committee)
    • Investment Advisory Committee (1998-present)
    • Board of Directors (1995-2001)

- Women's Leadership Forum (Democratic National Committee), Texas Chair (1997-1999)
- Garry Mauro for Governor Campaign, Finance Chair (1998)
- New York Senate, National Finance Board (2000)
- Democratic National Committee, Managing Trustee (1992-93, 1996-1997)
- Emily's List, Majority Council; Trustee (1996)
- League of Women Voters of Dallas
- Dallas County Democratic Party, Finance Council
- Dallas Democratic Forum, Advisory Board
- Dallas Women's Museum, Board Member (2006-2007)
    • Chair, Annual Giving Campaign (2007)

Representation of additional activities

- National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Board of Directors (1993-1996); Chair, Long Range Planning Committee (1995); Co-Chair, Campaign for Healthy Families-Board Fund Division (1996)
- Dallas CASA, Special Advocate for two foster children
- Leadership Council-Campaign for Equal Access 2000 (1999)
- Contact 214, Telephone Counselor (1992); Board of Directors (1992-1993); Chair, Distinguished Lecture Series (1994)
- AIDS Interfaith Network, Board of Directors (1993)
- Junior League of Dallas, Sustainer
- Daughters of American Revolution, Public Relations Chairman (1991-1992); Corresponding Secretary (1992-1994)

Honors

- Named by Texas Monthly as one of the top 100 Super Lawyers in 2007
- 2007 Women in Excellence Award
- 2005 University of Texas at Dallas Alumni Achievement Award
- Leadership America (1997)
- Leadership Dallas (1994)
- 1996 Women in Leadership Conference, Honorary Chair
- Nominee for Laurel Award

Personal

Married to Frank L. Branson, owner of the law firm of Frank L. Branson, P.C., which began in 1981 and specializes in personal injury litigation. Frank is an avid hunter, golfer and antique gun collector. Debbie enjoys hiking, reading and adding to her various antique collections. They enjoy international travel and experiencing the cultural differences of people around the world. The Bransons have two children: Jennifer, 33, and Buck, 31, both graduates of Southern Methodist University Law School.
 

The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, P.C. does not offer any guarantee of case results. Past success in litigation does not guarantee success in any new or future lawsuit. Our web site describes some of the cases that the attorneys of Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, P.C. have worked on in the past. Our description of those cases is summary in nature. You should be aware that the results obtained in each of the cases we have worked on was dependent on the particular facts of each case. The results of other cases will differ based on the different facts involved.

Copyright© 2005 The Law Firm of Frank L. Branson. All Rights Reserved.