Frank L. Branson

For more than 40 years, Dallas attorney Frank L. Branson has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to victims of dangerous products, commercial airplane crashes, injuries from gas explosions or electric burns, medical negligence, major trucking accidents, and industrial catastrophes. He and the legal team at The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson also successfully pursued companies and corporate representatives in high-stakes business disputes.

Widely recognized as one of America’s best trial lawyers, Branson provides clients with tenacious pre-trial preparation and masterful courtroom strategies. A leader in the effective use of multimedia demonstrative evidence, his full-time staff includes a registered nurse, a highly experienced investigator, and an audio/visual professional who works closely with the firm’s top-flight attorneys to produce digital video, computer animation, medical art, and individualized anatomical models that make judges and juries take notice.

“What we are trying to do is allow the judge and jury to walk in our client’s moccasins a short distance in order to understand the nature and severity of their injuries. We have never hesitated to use our resources to go the extra mile for our clients,” says Branson.

In addition to accepting referrals from other lawyers, Branson and the firm regularly represent prominent doctors, lawyers, business executives, politicians, and other professionals in cases where they or their families have faced major legal issues.

As a fourth generation lawyer and a respected and accomplished attorney in Dallas, Debbie Dudley Branson has a strong family history in the law and a real 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.”

A 2010 addition to The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, John Burkhead provides a passionate and single-minded focus to championing the causes of firm clients.

Burkhead has become a key asset for the other seasoned trial attorneys at the Branson firm, which relies on a team approach to litigation in quickly assembling expert resources and leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver powerful messages to juries and judges, as well as opposing counsel.

“Being the client’s champion starts with hard work,” says Burkhead. “From the very start of litigation, the attorneys at this firm make a point of setting the pace and making sure that our side has an absolute command of the facts and issues at play.”

Tim Newsom has built a reputation on careful study and the preparation required to win on behalf of his clients. He brings a broad range of trial experience to the Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, having tried personal injury and business litigation cases for nearly 30 years. Tim’s clients know that when they entrust their legal matters to him, their interests are the utmost priority. 

Tim began his legal career with a judicial clerkship at the Amarillo Court of Appeals. From there he entered private practice, concentrating in personal injury and commercial litigation. He has represented individuals, businesses, executives, and small children. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Tim is a trusted figure not only among his clients, but in the legal community as well. He is a Past President of TEX-ABOTA, a regional organization for the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is a national invitation-only organization of experienced trial lawyers from both sides of the docket. He is also a past President of the Amarillo Area Bar Association. Tim has been recognized every year since 2005 as a Texas Super Lawyer in Plaintiff’s Personal Injury by Thomson Reuters. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

“You have to practice with integrity,” Tim says. “Your clients have to know they’re working with someone they can trust. The opposing lawyers have to know they’re working with someone who will conduct themselves professionally. And the courts must know the lawyers appearing before them are prepared.”

A native Texan, Tim grew up in the Houston suburbs, attended college in North Texas, and lived in West Texas. He has practiced all over the state, and through those experiences gained a special understanding of the people who live here, the legal landscape, and the often unique challenges it brings about. Tim’s wife, Judy, is a licensed pharmacist who holds a doctorate in Pharmacy Administration and is a retired founding faculty member of the Texas Tech University School of Pharmacy. They have been married since 1997 and have two children.

With experience on both sides of the docket and in venues inside and outside of Texas, Linda Yee Villa is an important member of the Branson team. Linda’s background includes personal injury, premises liability and product liability litigation, as well as insurance coverage disputes.

“One of the reasons I was attracted to this firm is that its objective is to obtain the best results for the clients and its history of achieving those results using a team approach consisting of attorneys and staff who are personable, knowledgeable and hard-working, as well as being adept at successfully responding to the ever-changing litigation tactics employed by opposing parties.”

Of Counsel 1993-2009 Deceased