A natural born storyteller, Tonya sought a career where she could combine her talent for analysis, research and writing with her ability to explain complicated matters simply. Becoming a lawyer was a natural fit.
Tonya’s clients describe her as a competitive, creative and proactive problem-solver. She is an excellent communicator who assists her clients in defining their desired business outcomes and mapping the strategies necessary to accomplish their goals.
Tonya has extensive experience representing construction and architectural professionals, both in a transactional capacity and during litigation. She has negotiated complex construction and architectural transactions utilizing owner contracts, AIA documents, subcontracts and vendor agreements throughout the United States and Mexico. During her tenure as General Counsel for The Beck Group, Tonya directed all litigation matters on behalf of this full-service design builder in its nine offices including complex claims related to defective architectural plans, cumulative impact and delay issues, lien priorities, bankruptcy impacts, owner claims and subcontractor disputes. In addition to litigation, Tonya assisted with real estate development, sustainability and technology matters for the company.
Prior to serving as general counsel, Tonya litigated high profile financial industry disputes including environmental liability for lenders, unique foreclosure issues related to both real and personal property, debt restructuring, real estate disputes, letters of credit and asset securitization matters. She successfully defended financial institutions and other corporate clients from business tort claims such as fraud, negligent misrepresentation, deceptive trade practices act violations, promissory estoppel, statutory real estate fraud, civil conspiracy, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Her efforts resulted in two Texas Supreme Court decisions favoring lenders and corporations ( see Fina Supply, Inc. v. Abilene Nat’l Bank, 726 S.W.2d 537 (Tex.1987) (letters of credit) and Cullen Frost Bank v. Dallas Sportswear, 730 S.W. 2d 668 (Tex. 1987) (lender’s collection of accounts receivable) and a myriad of favorable appellate opinions both in state and federal courts.
Tonya’s clients rely on her breadth of experience and keen investigative skills in other disciplines as well.
For example, her representation of a large cell phone manufacturer required her to become an expert in the technology at issue. Although she was neither a patent attorney nor an engineer, the client relied upon her ability to synthesize the complicated technical information and to “tell the company’s story” in a persuasive manner in order to obtain a favorable outcome. Likewise, when a corporate client was charged with fraud, promissory estoppel and breach of contract by an ousted company executive, Tonya represented the company during the pre-trial process, assembled the facts and documents and presented the legal and factual arguments in order to accomplish the client’s business goals regarding resolution of the claims.
Tonya’s focus on defining and achieving her client’s strategic goals coupled with her wide range of legal expertise and “can do” attitude make her the lawyer of first choice for her clients.
Education and Certifications
J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law (1983)
B.A., Eastern New Mexico University (1976), cum laude
Admissions
Affiliations
Member, State Bar of Texas
Member, Dallas Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Community Activities
Prior Work Experience
Professional Achievements
Publications
Speeches