Our Team

We understand that the hardships resulting from significant injury, or the death of a loved-one, cannot be solved only by lawyers or law firms. It takes more than appropriate compensation to put the pieces of your life back together. However, life's realities require that we all have sufficient financial resources. That is where our firm can help.

Our lawyers have been preparing for years to help you with your case. Each of them worked hard in law school, day-in and day-out, learning as much as possible. They then honed their skills in the practice of law, working hard every day, for every client, trying to obtain the best results for each person they represent. If you are looking for lawyers who care about more than just your case, but who also care about you and your unique situation, contact us today.

Angelika Anderson serves as a staff attorney in our civil rights section. Angelika graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law, in Fort Worth, in the top 9% of her class. She served on the Executive Board of Editors for the Texas A&M Law Review, and she wrote a law review article which was published in the Spring 2023 edition. Before law school, Angelika graduated with a B.A. in psychology, in the top 25% of her class, at the University of Michigan.

Emily Fitch serves as a paralegal with our firm. Emily graduated with a BBA in Business Administration and Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Emily serves our clients in a variety of ways, including helping with both filed and unfiled cases, and communicating with and assisting primarily our firm’s new and potential clients.

Melissa Hernandez serves as a paralegal with our firm. Melissa graduated with a BA in political science from the University of Michigan. Before joining our firm, Melissa served with the National Immigration Forum, Immigrant Justice Lab, and National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good. Melissa concentrates on interaction with our firm’s new clients, and she also assists with cases that have not yet been filed. Melissa is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.

Jenny Kingaard serves our clients as a civil rights briefing attorney. Jenny graduated from Baylor University School of Law, in the top 15% of her class. While at Baylor, she served in various roles for the Baylor Law Review. Before law school, Jenny graduated, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Government at Oral Roberts University. Since becoming a lawyer, after clerking for an appellate justice, Jenny worked for two firms practicing civil litigation and appeals for about five years. Jenny then served for approximately twelve years as a staff attorney to two justices in succession at the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston. While at that court, in part, she analyzed appellate briefs and relevant case law, advised justices regarding recommended outcomes, and prepared draft and final opinions by the authoring justices for issuance.

Virginia Lopez has been with our firm for over 10 years. Virginia serves as a paralegal and assists in all areas of our practice. Virginia came to our firm with significant law firm experience and is an invaluable member of our team. Virginia helps with drafting motions and complaints, as well as drafting and responding to discovery requests. Virginia also helps with jury trial and arbitration hearing preparation. Virginia is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.

Dean Malone was born and raised in Texas and is the founder of our firm.  Dean earned a bachelor's degree (law and criminal justice concentration) from the University of Texas at Dallas.  Dean graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA.  Dean then graduated from Baylor University School of Law with a concentration in general civil litigation. While at Baylor, Dean served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including serving as executive editor.  Dean is a trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads up the civil rights section of our firm, devoting his practice to serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and police brutality. Lawyers across Texas frequently refer cases to Dean due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.

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Michael O'Connor has been with our firm for approximately 20 years. Mike heads up the non-civil rights serious injury portion of our practice. Mike was raised in San Antonio and earned his law degree from Texas Tech School of Law, with the highest distinction of summa cum laude. Mike was ranked 9 out of 205 students in his graduating class. After law school, and before joining our firm, Mike was a law clerk to the Honorable Charles Holcomb, judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Mike concentrates his practice on serious work injuries but also handles serious injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions and inadequate security.  Mike has tried significant cases to verdict, and has also been successful in handling arbitration proceedings through final hearing.

Attorney Alexandra Payne serves our clients as a staff attorney. Alex graduated from UNT Dallas College of Law, cum laude, in the top 15% of her class. She received the highest grades in Legal Writing III and Conflicts of Law. Alex served on Law Review and also, with a partner, won a moot court competition. Before law school, Alex graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Abrielle Perry works as a staff attorney in our civil rights practice area.  Abrielle graduated from Texas A&M University School of Law, in Fort Worth, cum laude, in the top 25% of her class.  Before law school, Abrielle graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Communication, summa cum laude.