As a fourth generation lawyer and a respected and accomplished attorney in Dallas, Debbie Dudley Branson has a strong family history in the law and a real commitment to her profession. She maintains a passionate belief that individual lawyers have an obligation to be community leaders, public servants, and forces for positive social change.
Since 1983, she has practiced with The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson as part of an experienced trial team on a full spectrum of cases. Much of her work is concentrated behind the scenes, focusing on litigation strategies that include focus groups, attitudinal surveys, jury selection, witness preparation, and jury debriefing.
"Many trials are won or lost before the lawyers even enter the courtroom," says Ms. Branson. "Preparation for trial is key for success. We understand this and know that there is simply no substitute. Our team's fervent will to win is an important factor, too."
While collective preparation, brainpower, energy, and resources are all important for success, Ms. Branson says the firm's namesake provides the key ingredient. "The real difference stems from Frank. He brings a bold, creative approach to case preparation and encourages each of us to think creatively as we prepare for trial."
Arkansas State University, B.S.E. 1977, Student of Special Distinction
University of Arkansas, J.D. 1980, Distinguished Law Student Award
University of Texas at Dallas, M.S. 1993
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Fellowship member
Political Chair, Executive Committee (2002-2003)
President (2000)
Treasurer, Executive Committee - Officer of the organization directly responsible for management of budget (1996 - 1998).
Board of Directors - Oversees direction and operation of organization (1994 - present)
Trustee, TTLA Benefit Trust - One of the trustees responsible for management of Trust purchasing and providing health care insurance coverage for member participants (1996-97). Trust terminated in 1997.
SMU Law School Chapter Advisory Board
American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America)
Board of Governors (2006 - present)
President's Club
Sustaining Member
Vice-Chair, List Committee (2003-2005, 1999-2000)
Co-Chair, List Committee (2000-2003)
Co-Chair, List Advisory Committee (2000-2001)
Key Persons Committee (2003-2007, 1998-99)
List Advisory Committee (1998-99)
List Committee (2005-2010, 2011-2014)
ATLA PAC Board of Trustees (2009-2011, 1999-2002)
State Liaison, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (2002-2003)
Wiedeman/Wysocki Award, 1999, 2003 & 2008
Roscoe Pound Institute, Sustaining Fellow
Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Arkansas Bar Association American Bar Association State Bar of Texas Dallas Bar Association
Juror Participation Committee, 2001
Publications Committee, 1990
Dallas Women Lawyers Association College of the State Bar of Texas 112th American Inn of Court, Dallas American Society of Writers on Legal Subjects The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism American Society of Trial Consultants American Bar Foundation, Fellow Arkansas Bar Foundation, Fellow Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Co-author of numerous articles relating to trial techniques and demonstrative evidence for such magazines as TRIAL, and Litigation and Products Liability
Editor of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Forum, 1991 - 1994
Gubernatorial and Presidential Appointments
Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council
Board member, 2002 - 2003; Council created to provide advice and counsel to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and to function as an oversight resource for matters under the jurisdiction of the FAA.
Securities Investor Protection Corporation
Acting Chair, Board of Trustees, 2001 - 2002; Vice Chair, Board of Trustees, 1995 -2001; Agency established to promote public confidence in the nation's securities markets by guaranteeing the return of property within certain limits to investors if securities firms fail. SIPC is a member- financed, private, nonprofit corporation.
Chair, Budget Committee; $73.5 million revenue (2000); $1.2 billion reserve (Feb. 2001).
Chair, Select Committee on Rate and Policy Form Regulation, 1994
Interim committee established to study insurance rate and policy form regulation in the state of Texas including:
1. Effects of changes in insurance regulation previously made;
2. Degree of competition in insurance industry; and
3. Availability of motor vehicle insurance, number of uninsured drivers, and number of drivers insured through TAIPA to determine if certain geographic areas are under served.
Texas Judicial Council (1992 - 1997)
Agency charged by statute with studying and gathering statistics on the organization, rules, procedures and practice, work accomplished, results, and uniformity of the discretionary powers of the state courts and methods for improvement.
Civic, Charitable, Political Involvement
Contributor to various organizations which represent commitment to social and political issues.
Parkland Health & Hospital System
Chair, Board of Managers., 2012 - 2013. Seven-member Board is responsible for the governing policies and budgetary ($1.2 billion) oversight for Parkland Hospital.
Chair, Legal Committee, 2011 - 2012;
Chair, Quality & Risk Management Committee, 2011 - 2012
UT Southwestern University Hospitals & Clinics
Board of Visitors, Ex-Officio Member
UT Dallas Center for Children and Families, Advisory Council, 2009 - present Dallas Women's Museum
Board Member, 2006 - 2012
Chair, Annual Giving Campaign 2007
Chair, Nominating Committee, 2010 - 2011
Executive Committee, 2010 - 2011
Dallas Women's Foundation
President, 1999
President -Elect, 1998 (Executive Committee)
Chair, Nominating Committee, 1997 (Executive Committee)
Board of Directors, 1994 - 1999
Advisory Council, 2002 - present
CEO Search Committee. 2011
Planned Parenthood
Secretary, 1998 - 1999 (Executive Committee)
Investment Advisory Committee 1998 - 2000
Board of Directors, 1995 - 2001
Annie's List Luncheon 2012, Honorary Chair Women's Leadership Forum (Democratic National Committee) - Texas Chair, 1997 - 1999 Garry Mauro for Governor Campaign, Finance Chair, 1998 New York Senate, National Finance Board, 2000 Democratic National Committee - Managing Trustee, 1992 - 1993; 1996 - 1997 Emily's List - Majority Council, Trustee, 1996 League of Women Voters of Dallas Dallas County Democratic Party - Finance Council Dallas Democratic Forum - Advisory Board
National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse - Board of Directors, 1993 -1996; Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, 1995; Co-Chair, Campaign for Healthy Families - Board Fund Division, 1996
Dallas CASA - Special Advocate for two foster children
Leadership Council - Campaign for Equal Access, 1999 & 2000
Contact 214 - Telephone Counselor, 1992; Board of Directors, 1992 - 1993; Chair, Distinguished Lecture Series, 1994
AIDS Interfaith Network - Board of Directors, 1993
Junior League of Dallas - Sustainer
Daughters of the American Revolution - Public Relations Chairman, 1991 - 1992; Corresponding Secretary, 1992 - 1994
The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation, 2012-2019
The Best Lawyers in America, Texas Women Best Lawyers, 2014
Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2007-2012, 2014-2018
The Best Lawyers in America, 2012
Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Recipient of The Linz Award, 2016, by the Dallas Morning News
Northwood Women's Club Gala Honorary Chair, 2015
Texas Healthcare Trustees Star Award, 2015
Maura Women Helping Women Award, 2014
Modern Healthcare Magazine, Trustee of the Year, 2014
Women That Soar Award, 2012
Gayle Pettus Pontz Award, University of Arkansas School of Law, 2011
Inspiring Women Panelist, 2011
Best Women Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2010
Women in Excellence Award by the YWCA and Women's Enterprise magazine, 2007
University of Texas at Dallas Achievement Award, 2005
University of Texas at Dallas Achievement Award - Leadership America, 1997
Women in Leadership Conference, Honorary Chai, 1996
AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Nominee for Laurel Award
Married to Frank L. Branson, founder of The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson. The Branson's two children, Jennifer and Buck, are graduates of Southern Methodist University Law School.
