Dallas-based Estes Okon Thorne & Carr (“EOTC”) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers® as one of the nation’s 2015 Best Law Firms, and three of its partners have been named to the 2015 listing of The Best Lawyers in America©.
The 2015 Best Law Firms list is compiled using a survey of thousands of attorneys and law firm clients nationwide. These peers and clients assess a firm’s expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a client’s business and needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer business to the firm. This is the third consecutive year EOTC has been selected to the list.
“We are honored to have been recognized on the Best Law Firms list for a third year in a row,” says Dawn Estes, founding partner of EOTC. “We believe there is real value in the personalized service and Big Law experience we offer to our clients, and this distinction helps validate that differentiation in the market.”
EOTC partners Lori Carr, Carol Payne, and Jessica Thorne also have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2015 list in the fields of Labor Law, Commercial Litigation, and Family Law, respectively.
With over 25 years of experience, Lori Carr is Board Certified in Labor & Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and is a seasoned mediator and arbitrator. She represents employers in all matters arising out of the employment relationship, including litigation defense, investigations, risk management, training, consultation, and representation during government audits. Ms. Carr represents clients in state and federal courts, the U.S. Department of Justice, EEOC, U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Carol Payne’s two decades of commercial litigation experience include representing an array of clients in legal malpractice and professional liability matters and disqualification disputes. She also handles a wide variety of business-related disputes, including real estate matters, lender claims, construction litigation, and energy-related matters. Numerous of her cases have been won on summary judgment and affirmed on appeal. Ms. Payne is the former Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s Professional Liability Litigation Committee.
Jessica Thorne has extensive experience in handling family law cases, including divorce, child custody, asset division, property and business valuation, paternity, financial support and many other issues that arise in a family law context. In addition to trying many family cases, she also regularly works with her clients to resolve cases outside the courtroom. Ms. Thorne’s ability to bring a sympathetic yet straightforward approach to her representation of individuals in very personal matters has won her favor with clients in Dallas and across Texas.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Lori, Carol, and Jessica,” says EOTC partner Melanie Okon. “While their practices are vastly different, each brings a client-centric approach that has become a hallmark of our firm. We are proud to work with these top-tier lawyers who are doing great things for their clients in Dallas and nationwide.”
Estes Okon Thorne & Carr PLLC is the largest women-owned law firm in Texas, based on an independent, statewide survey. It features a collaborative team of highly experienced attorneys, representing clients in business litigation, labor and employment, energy, construction, insurance, health care, family law, and other corporate legal matters.