By Melissa Gautier
Protecting What Matters Most
Every client has fundamental needs and distinct perspectives. What they value most differs from one to another. Dana White, lead attorney and owner of her private law practice, zealously endeavors to cultivate outcomes reflecting her clients’ aspirations with compassion and understanding. In addition to providing specialized, professional law services, Dana focuses on building long-lasting, trusted relationships for successfully meeting clients’ immediate and future needs. Protecting What Matters Most is her principal mission and motto in her representation of clients.
Being a good listener is an important ingredient to Dana’s success. She discovers what clients’ concerns and goals are, giving feedback regarding their particular situation. Because her aim is based on each client’s subjective viewpoint, her approach dictates a personal, customized process driven by each client’s unique circumstances.
Divorce and Custody
Separation and divorce can be highly emotional, stressful events for couples and families to endure. Whether it’s fear of pending final orders or relentless pressure from the opposing party, Dana and her team are experienced and highly skilled in mitigating discrepancies of individual perspectives. She strives to be a guiding source of strength for her clients throughout the entire process, attending to their necessities professionally and emotionally. Her compassionate nature provides comfort for families in crisis, allowing disputes and concerns to be handled with dignity and grace.
Family law doesn’t always have to be a stressful experience. When children are involved, custody decisions and logistics can be a major source of frustration. “Normally, clients are concerned about what their lives will look like post-divorce,” Dana explains. “After the decree is finalized, I notice my clients physically look like a completely different person from our initial first meeting. They often look and feel overwhelmed with their current situation. It’s amazing to see the changes in their overall demeanor and posture from slumped shoulders and sad expressions to a much happier person with a positive outlook on life.”
Be Prepared Before Your Circumstances Change
Preparation and timeliness are key when it comes to executing legal documents. Do you have a legal will that directs how your property, both real and personal, will be divided upon your death? Having one is especially important during this pandemic crisis when medical issues can suddenly become severe without warning. This is why Durable and Medical Powers of Attorney, Living Trusts, and medical directives are additional, important documents to consider when executing a will. In the absence of a valid legal will, the laws of the state dictate the distribution of property. This means the deceased’s estate may be dispersed in a way contrary to what they would have wanted; and it is often more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming for family members to legally transfer property after death. Dana and her team of attorneys will advise you on these matters while focusing on your family’s distinct wishes.
Experienced Attorneys and Vital Support Staff
Dana has assembled a top-notch group of associate attorneys to provide consistent advice and counsel on family, estate planning, and business law.
Kimberly Butler practices in family law, juvenile law and CPS defense, guardianship, testamentary planning, probate matters, and general civil matters
Katie Berry practices in family law; collaborative divorce
Lisa McBee: practices in estate planning and employment-based immigration law
Dana also has accumulated the finest support staff, including Certified Paralegal Rhonda Larimer, Paralegal Jack L. Cutshall, and Paralegal Kellie Daniels.
Born in Tarrant County, Dana earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington. She received a Juris Doctorate Degree from Seattle University in 1994, practicing law in Seattle for more than seven years. She volunteered countless hours at the King County neighborhood legal clinics.
Relocating back to Texas in 2015, she opened her private law practice in Southlake. Dana primarily practices family law, including but not limited to custody, divorce, termination, adoption, and marital property agreements. She also provides legal services in wills/probate, employment law, general business formation, and civil litigation. She is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Texas.
- Voted “Best Attorney” of 2019 in Northeast Tarrant County by clients and area residents, featured in Living Magazine.
- Voted a “Top Attorney” by peers, featured in 360 West & 76092 magazines (2019)
- Voted a “Top Attorney” by peers in areas of Family Law and Collaborative Law, featured in Fort Worth Magazine (2009-2015, 2018-19)
- Voted “Southlake’s 2018 Small Businessperson of the Year,” by Alignable Community Network, Southlake, Texas
- Nominated and selected as one of the 10 “Inspirational, Accomplished & Engaging Women of NE Tarrant County” for 2018, featured in Society Life Magazine.
Dana and her husband David love to travel abroad. Married for more than 34 years, they have enjoyed visiting Italy, Ireland, Germany, the Azores, and Switzerland, as well as tropical destinations including Jamaica and Bermuda. Established Southlake residents, Dana and David are active members of White’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Active in the Southlake community, Dana currently serves as the President of Southlake’s Rotary Club, with the mission of Service Above Self, and as the Board Officer/Secretary for the North Texas Shield Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization, providing area police officers and firefighters. She continues to be an enthusiastic supporter of Carroll High School’s Dragons. Her daughter Hannah graduated from Carroll in 2013 and currently works as an engineer for Lockheed Martin.
When you need an attorney you can trust with your best interests at heart, Dana is your experienced, professional guide in matters of family, estate planning and business law.
