Debbie Dudley Branson
Attorneys
"Preparation for trial is key for success. We understand this and know that there is simply no substitute. Our team’s fervent will to win is an important factor, too."
As a fourth generation lawyer and a respected and accomplished attorney in Dallas, Debbie Dudley Branson has a strong family history and commitment to her profession. She maintains a passionate belief that individual lawyers have an obligation to be community leaders, public servants, and forces for positive social change.
Since 1983, she has practiced with The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson as part of an experienced trial team on a full spectrum of cases. Much of her work is concentrated behind the scenes, focusing on litigation strategies that include focus groups, attitudinal surveys, jury selection, witness preparation, and jury debriefing.
“Many trials are won or lost before the lawyers even enter the courtroom,” says Ms. Branson. “Preparation for trial is key for success. We understand this and know that there is simply no substitute. Our team’s fervent will to win is an important factor, too.”
While collective preparation, brainpower, energy, and resources are all important for success, Ms. Branson says the firm’s namesake provides the key ingredient. “The real difference stems from Frank. He brings a bold, creative approach to case preparation and encourages each of us to think creatively as we prepare for trial.”
Education:
University of Texas at Dallas, M.S., 1993
University of Arkansas, J.D. 1980, Distinguished Law Student Award
Arkansas State University, B.S.E. 1977, Student of Special Distinction
Court Admissions:
Arkansas State District Courts
Texas State District Courts
U.S. District Court, Western District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
Designations and Professional Memberships:
American Association for Justice – Board of Governors; Sustaining Member; Vice-Chair, List Committee; Co-Chair, List Committee; Co-Chair, List Advisory Committee; Key Persons Committee; List Advisory Committee; List Committee
ATLA PAC Board of Trustees; State Liaison
Women Trial Lawyers Caucus
Roscoe Pound Institute, Sustaining Fellow
President's Club
American Bar Association
American Society of Trial Consultants
American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects
Arkansas Bar Association
Arkansas Bar Foundation – Fellow
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association
College of the State Bar of Texas
Dallas Bar Association – Juror Participation Committee, Publications Committee
Dallas Women Lawyers Association
112th American Inn of Court, Dallas
State Bar of Texas
Texas Bar Foundation – Life Fellow
The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
Texas Trial Lawyers Association – President; Fellowship member; Political Chair, Executive Committee; Treasurer, Executive Committee; Board of Directors; Trustee, TTLA Benefit Trust
SMU Law School Chapter Advisory Board
Publications and Presentations:
Co-author of numerous articles relating to trial techniques and demonstrative evidence for such magazines as TRIAL, and Litigation and Products Liability
Editor of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Forum
Gubernatorial and Presidential Appointments:
Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council – Board member on 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 FAA’s jurisdiction.
Securities Investor Protection Corporation – Acting Chair, Board of Trustees; Vice Chair, Board of Trustees; Chair, Budget Committee. The SIPC promotes public confidence in the nation’s securities markets by guaranteeing the return of property to investors if securities firms fail.
Select Committee on Rate and Policy Form Regulation – Chair of interim committee established to study insurance rate and policy form regulation in Texas, including the effects of insurance regulation changes, the degree of competition in the insurance industry, and whether all geographic areas of the state are equitably served.
Texas Judicial Council, member of agency charged 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.
Civic, Charitable, Political:
Parkland Health & Hospital System, Board of Managers. Seven-member Board is responsible for the governing policies and budgetary($1.2 billion) oversight for Parkland Hospital Parkland Health & Hospital System, Chair, Legal Committee; Chair, Quality & Risk Management CommitteeUT Dallas Center for Children and Families, Advisory Council
Dallas Women's Museum – Board Member; Chair, Annual Giving Campaign; Chair, Nominating Committee
Dallas Women's Foundation – President; Executive Committee; Chair, Nominating Committee; Board of Directors; Advisory Council; CEO Search Committee
Planned Parenthood – Secretary, Executive Committee; Investment Advisory Committee; Board of Directors
Women's Leadership Forum (Democratic National Committee) – Texas Chair
Garry Mauro for Governor Campaign – Finance Chair
New York Senate – National Finance Board
Democratic National Committee – Managing Trustee
Emily's List – Majority Council, Trustee
League of Women Voters of Dallas
Dallas County Democratic Party – Finance Council
Dallas Democratic Forum – Advisory Board
Representation of Additional Committees:
National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse – Board of Directors; Chair, Long Range Planning Committee; Co-Chair, Campaign for
Healthy Families – Board Fund Division
Dallas CASA – Special Advocate
Leadership Council – Campaign for Equal Access
Contact 214 – Telephone Counselor; Board of Directors; Chair, Distinguished Lecture Series
AIDS Interfaith Network – Board of Directors
Junior League of Dallas – Sustainer
Daughters of the American Revolution – Public Relations Chairman, Corresponding Secretary
Recognitions and Honors:
D Magazine Best Women Lawyers in Dallas – 2010, 2011 & 2012
Texas Super Lawyers – 2007-present
Selected as one of the 2012 Best Lawyers in America in Personal Injury Litigation
Inspiring Women 2011 Panelist
Gayle Pettus Pontz Award recipient recognizing lawyers who best represent excellence and achievement of women in the legal profession.
Women in Excellence Award by the YWCA and Women’s Enterprise magazine.
University of Texas at Dallas Achievement Award – Leadership America
Women in Leadership Conference, Honorary Chair
Leadership Dallas
Nominee for Laurel Award
Personal:
Married to Frank L. Branson, founder of The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson. The Branson’s two children, Jennifer and Buck, are graduates of Southern Methodist University Law School.