Lawyers

Brackett & Ellis, P.C.
Attorney, Equity Shareholder, and Director
December 2014 – present

Vehicle Administrative Services, LTD.
Executive Vice-President and General Counsel
September 2013 – October 2014

Decker, Jones, McMackin, McClane, Hall & Bates, P.C.
Attorney and Equity Shareholder
February 2005 – September 2013

McDonald Sanders, P.C.
Associate Attorney
January 2001 – February 2005

Voyager Insurance Companies
Staff Attorney
May 1997 – January 2001

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Consultant – Real Estate Department
May 1995 – May 1997

• University of Colorado Law School, Juris Doctorate
• University of Colorado at Boulder, Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Business Emphasis, magna cum laude

• Texas
• Colorado

• State Bar of Texas
• Colorado Bar Association
• Tarrant County Bar Association
  • Director (2016 – 2020)
  • President of Women’s Section (1999 – 2000)
• Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth

• Recognized as 2024 Best Lawyers in America
• Fort Worth’s 400 Most Influential People, Fort Worth Magazine (2022 and 2023)
• Top Attorneys, Fort Worth Magazine (2006 – 2023)
• Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished^®, Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement (2020 – present)
• Listed in The Corporate Lawyers, The Premier Guide to the Nation’s Leading Corporate Attorneys
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters (2006, 2009)
• 40 Under Forty, Fort Worth Business Press (2006)

REPRESENTATIVE FINANCE TRANSACTIONS

• Approved attorney for Fortune 500 banks and local Fort Worth community banks: Negotiated and documented numerous private wealth and commercial multi-million dollar term loans and term loan renewals secured by improved property, including hotels, health care facilities, movie theaters, retail strip centers, unimproved land, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment; representation included extensive title review work, facilitation of interest rate swap agreements, preparation of personal guaranty agreements, UCC searches, preparing and filing UCC financing statements, drafting and reviewing lien subordination agreements, stand-still agreements, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, and estoppel certificates.
• Conducted real property foreclosure proceedings for private lenders; activities included drafting and preparing notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, notice of foreclosure, and sheriffs’ deeds.
• Reviewed and drafted bond-funded loan packages in connection with representation of state university and state charter school for land, building, and construction projects.
• Represented local non-profit business development entity with respect to management duties in connection with local TIF; managed the refinancing of multi-million-dollar HUD secured loan for low-income housing project on the east side of downtown Fort Worth; negotiated and drafted applicable loan and entity authorization documents.

REPRESENTATIVE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

• Primary outside counsel for regional electricity delivery company in connection with its participation in $1.5 billion project to bring wind-generated electricity from Texas panhandle to southern, eastern, and western portions of Texas; worked with right-of-way agents to negotiate easements for electric transmission power lines; prepared easement instruments.
• Represented franchisee of Hilton Express Hotels in securing, negotiating, and drafting loan documents for $8,000,000 refinance loan from syndicated lender; counseled client through due diligence aspects of loan to be sold to issuer of CMB securities.
  Negotiated and drafted long term sublease for UT Arlington Campus.
  Represented purchaser of Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Addison, Texas; secured and reviewed title work; worked with title insurer general counsel to remove title encumbrances; assisted in-house attorney with due diligence reviews; prepared purchase and conveyance documents.
• Represented local non-profit organization in negotiating and drafting long term lease for approximately 20,000 square feet of office space for new location in east Fort Worth.
• Represented landlords and tenants in various retail and restaurant leases, such as Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Subway, Little Caesars, Smoothie King, Firehouse Subs, Family Dollar, Cash America, and Arrow Exterminators.
• Primary outside counsel to Dallas-based high-end residential home contractor in connection with purchasing $300,000 to $500,000 dollar homes for demolition and subsequent construction of $1,000,0000 to $1,5000,000 spec homes. Managed all title insurance work, temporary leases, and business loans.
• Negotiated and structured purchase of industrial and warehouse facilities for an erasable glass boards manufacturer; reviewed title work, drafted purchase and sale agreement and conveyance document, organized closing, and worked closely with entity’s real estate broker in preparing leases for affiliated entities.
• Worked on real estate related aspects of mitigation project for construction of new runway at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, negotiating and facilitating sale of residential property impacted by the development.

REPRESENTATIVE BUSINESS AND CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS

• Primary outside counsel in representation of low-income housing development entity, counseling included discussions and strategic planning with respect to limited and general partnership powers, duties, obligations, and voting rights.
  Representation of private entities in multi-million-dollar asset and stock acquisitions and sales. Examples include printing businesses, oil and gas fracking companies, insurance agencies, third party benefits and claims administrators, and defense and security contractors.
• Lead counsel in negotiation and documentation of three auto roadside assistance network and marketing agreements for emergency roadside assistance provider.
• Drafted marketing, general agent, and agency and producer agreements for the marketing and distribution of auto aftermarket products, such as vehicle extended service contracts, vehicle protection products, and vehicle limited warranties.
• Facilitated formation of offshore reinsurance entities in Nevis, the Seychelles, and Turks & Caicos; drafted applicable reinsurance agreements and custodial/trust agreements.
• Conducted affiliated entity intra and inter-state mergers.
• Formed corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, limited liability companies, and professional corporations in Texas as well as in various other states; drafted related bylaws, partnership agreements, company agreements, annual and special meeting minutes, organizational resolutions, and buy-sell agreements.
• Negotiated and drafted sales and assignment agreements for shareholders, limited partners, managers, and members of business organizations; lead counsel in due diligence process in proposed acquisition of auto after-market provider by private equity group.
• Represented numerous emerging businesses in a broad range of industries with respect to entity selection, capitalization, and regulatory compliance; representative industries include real estate, medical, professional services, equipment manufacturers, retail services, residential and commercial development, age-restricted condominium developers, restaurants, and funeral services.

• “Top Ten Important Commercial Real Estate Lease Terms for MBA Leases,” Tarrant County Bar Association Real Estate Section (2021)
• “Tips for Being Good Outside Counsel,” Texas Young Lawyers Association (2005)
•  Loan Documentation for Commercial Real Estate Secured Loans (presented to Texas Paralegals Association in 2022 and 2023)

• “Commentary: Greener grass or buzz kill?,” Fort Worth Business Press (2018)

• Trinity Habitat for Humanity, Professional Services Team (2022 – present)
• CASA of Tarrant County, Volunteer Child Advocate (2020 – present)
• Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Chairwoman of Board of Directors (2018 – 2020)
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2011 – 2013)
• Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Advisory Committee, Tarrant County District 9 (2011 – 2013)
• Leadership Fort Worth, President of Board of Directors (2009 – 2011)
• The Fort Worth Club, Junior Advisor Member of Board of Governors (2006)