Rockwall, TX

G. David Smith

G. David Smith is a principal of the firm. David grew up in the panhandle town of Muleshoe, Texas. He attended college at Odessa College and the University of Texas at the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. While in college, David was a nationally ranked debater. After graduating with honors from UTPB, David pursued a law degree at Texas Tech University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1983. David is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and has been Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1990. David has been selected as a Super Lawyer by Texas Super Lawyers six times and has earned that distinction recently in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. David is active in community functions and organizations. He is a past president of the Rockwall Bar Association and is a director of the Rockwall Bar Foundation. David serves on the board of directors of the Rockwall Housing Development Corporation, which provides affordable housing to income challenged families. He serves on the Board for the Rockwall Grace Clinic which serves the medical needs of uninsured residents of Rockwall. David is on the City of Rockwall Board of Review and has served as a committee member of the City of Rockwall Charter Review Commission. David resides in Rockwall, Texas with his wife, Diane. They have four grown children, two daughters-in-law, and four grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with the family at their lake home in Athens, Texas.

Patrick Short

Patrick Short has over 38 years of legal experience representing clients in East and North Texas in personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense, and select civil litigation cases. He is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Personal Injury Trial Law and Criminal Law, and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in criminal law trial advocacy. He has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2006.

Rex Dwyer

Rex Dwyer is committed to assisting his clients in obtaining legal solutions for family law issues. He has successful litigation experience and is board certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has years of successful experience in the courtroom and offers extensive expertise in family law, ranging from simple uncontested cases to complex property divisions.

Jim Walker

Jim Walker is an experienced Trial Lawyer since 2003, with a successful track record in personal injury and business trials, including wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, car wrecks, and 18-wheeler collisions. He has been recognized in the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 for Civil Trial Law and has recovered millions for his clients. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Deandra M. Grant

Deandra Grant, the Managing Partner at Deandra Grant Law - Criminal & DWI Defense, has been featured in Dallas Modern Luxury’s 2023 list of Power Players. She is Board Certified in DUI Defense and Criminal Law, combining science and law to deliver powerful results in the courtroom. She is author of The Texas DWI Manual, certified in the science and testing of DWI enforcement, and a national speaker on DWI law and science. She has been practicing criminal defense for over 30 years.

Ryan K. Lee

A principal of the firm, Ryan Lee was born and raised in Rockwall. After graduating from Rockwall High School, he moved to San Diego, California, where he attended and graduated from San Diego State University. Ryan earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2009. He began practicing in Rockwall that same year and took a brief break from practice in 2013 to serve as General Counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee for the Texas Senate. Ryan was selected as a Rising Star by the Texas Super Lawyers five consecutive times ending in 2020. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less. Since 2021, after his age and years of practice made him no longer able to be a Rising Star, Ryan has been named a Texas Super Lawyer for last three years. In addition to his private personal injury practice, Ryan also currently serves as the Rockwall Municipal Court’s Associate Judge. He is a graduate of the Keenan Trial College and is a Fellow of the State Bar College which requires its members to complete double the amount of continuing legal education required by the State Bar of Texas. To become a Fellow, Ryan had to complete this additional education for ten years or more. Ryan is also a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, which is comprised of Texas attorneys who have been nominated because of their dedication to the administration of justice and high professional standing among their peers. Ryan is also a past President of the Rockwall County Bar Association, and is a member of the Texas Bar Association, the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is also a charter member of the Rockwall County Criminal Defense Bar Association and was admitted into the American Association of Justice in 2011. Ryan is President of the Rockwall Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Texas and serves on its Corporate Board as well. Ryan, his wife Christina, and their two sons live in Rockwall, where he spends most of his free time hanging out with his wife and two boys, playing board games, watching football, going camping, and playing with his mini Australian Shepherd, Chewie.

JENNIFER ASHMORE

In the realm of civil and criminal cases, Jennifer understands the fear of facing the unknown and acknowledges the need for a guiding presence throughout the legal process. Her mission is to provide comprehensive support and clarity, enabling clients to navigate unfamiliar territory with confidence. With an unwavering focus on achieving the best possible outcome, Jennifer strives to ensure the well-being of her clients and their families. With over 15 years of litigation experience, Jennifer has successfully represented individuals and families affected by car accidents, slip and fall incidents, and workplace injuries. What sets her apart is her profound understanding of both sides of the legal spectrum, having advocated for personal injury victims as well as defended companies and insurance providers. This unique perspective grants her an invaluable advantage when handling personal injury cases, making her an indispensable asset to her clients. Jennifer has successfully handled various claims, including trucking fatality accidents, car accidents, workplace injuries, slips and falls in residential and commercial settings, as well as misdemeanor and felony criminal defense cases. She has traversed Texas, representing clients in litigation matters, encompassing jury trials and arbitrations. Throughout her practice, Jennifer has had the honor of representing a diverse clientele, ranging from individual victims to Fortune 500 companies, from trucking companies and drivers to apartment complexes, food production companies, restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, business owners, insurance companies, third-party administrators, and waste and recycling providers. Additionally, she has effectively utilized her negotiation and litigation skills in criminal defense cases, particularly those concerning violations of the Transportation Code and alcohol-related driving offenses. Jennifer firmly believes in giving back to the community through her dedication to service. She has served as the President of the Board of Directors for Lone Star CASA, a non-profit organization devoted to assisting children in foster care in Rockwall and Kaufman counties. Furthermore, she has volunteered her legal expertise through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. Actively involved in Rockwall Women in Business and the Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer actively contributes to the local community. As a member of the State Bar of Texas, Jennifer is licensed in all four federal districts of the state. She holds degrees from Texas State University and Texas A&M University School of Law. Beyond her legal career, Jennifer cherishes her role as a mother to her two boys. Alongside her husband, KC, she takes pride in establishing deep roots within the Rockwall community. During her leisure time, Jennifer enjoys lake activities, running, and embarking on travel adventures. With her distinctive purple hair, she embraces her identity as the #prplesq (Purple Esquire) with pride.