Curriculum Vitae

Mary Alice McLarty
Attorney at Law

Education:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1983 - Texas Tech School of Law, Lubbock, TX
• Bachelor of Science, 1970 - West Texas State University, Canyon, TX - Degree in Social Studies with a Texas Teaching Certificate.

Licensed to Practice Before:

• Texas Supreme Court, Since 1984
• United States District Courts:
    Northern District of Texas, Since 1984
    Western District of Texas, Since 1987
    Southern District of Texas, Since 1991
• United States Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit, Since 1990
• United States Supreme Court, Since 1992
• Washington, D.C. Circuit Federal Court, Since 1993
• Arizona Federal Bankruptcy Court, 2003 - 2005 (Pro Hac Vice)
• Arizona Federal Court, 2003 - 2004 (Pro Hac Vice)
• District Court of Sheridan County, Wyoming, 2006 (Pro Hac Vice)
• District Court of Washoe County, Nevada, 2006 (Pro Hac Vice)
• Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, Florida, 2006 (Pro Hac Vice)

Law Practice:

• Of Counsel, Sommerman & Quesada, L.L.P., January 2009 to present
• President, THE MCLARTY FIRM, P.C., January 2005 to present
• Partner, MCLARTY ROPER POPE, L.L.P. August 2003 - January 2005
• President, Mary Alice McLarty, P.C., October 2001 - January 2005
• Owner, Law Office of Mary Alice McLarty, Dallas, Texas, January 1997 - October, 2001 Civil Trial Practice, Primarily Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases, with experience in Interstate Trucking Accidents, Brain Injuries, RSD Injuries, Nursing Home Negligence, Medical Negligence and Legal Malpractice. Expert Witness experience in Ethics, Grievance and Legal Malpractice matters
• Senior Trial Attorney, Smoger & Associates, Dallas, Texas, January - November, 1996
  All Plaintiff’s Personal Injury
• Owner, Law Offices of Mary Alice McLarty, Lubbock, Texas, 1991- 1995
  Primarily a Civil Law Practice in state district courts, with some federal litigation. Approximately 40% Family Law, 40% Personal Injury, 10% Civil Rights and 10% Criminal
• Partner, McLarty & McLarty, Lubbock, Texas, 1984 - 1991

Appointments and Honors:

• 2009 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the American Association for Justice
• 2008 Recipient of the Louise B. Raggio Award by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association for her significant contribution toward the advancement of women in the legal profession
• 2008 Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award by the American Association for Justice
• Participated in Medical Conference, A comprehensive Review of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Dispelling the Myths & Looking at Emergent Treatment, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill., September 2006. (One of two lawyers attending medical conference - received 8 hours credit for continuing medical education)
• Named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2005
• Featured in the Texas Justice book published in 2004
• Named Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, 2004 – 2008
• National Finance Committee for John Edwards for President, 2003 - 2004 and 2006-200
• Recipient of the Marie Lambert Award, 2002 -
  Presented by the Women's Caucus of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, for outstanding female trial lawyer of the year, who mentors and encourages other women trial lawyers.
• Recipient of the Wiedemann-Wysocki Citation of Excellence, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001 & 2002 -
  Presented by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
• Faculty Member, Trial Advocacy College of Texas, Since 2001
• Participant, International Update of RSD/CRPS (Medical Conference), University of South Florida, February 2001 -
  The only lawyer attending the medical conference. Received 7 hours credit for continuing medical education.
• Director, Texas State Bar College, 1998 - 2001
• Supreme Court of Texas Board of Disciplinary Appeals, 1991-1994
  Appointed by the Texas Supreme Court.
• Recipient of the George Woods NAACP Civil Rights Award, 1991
  Awarded for pro bono work on a desegregation suit, which was taken all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Lubbock Chairman, Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign, 1992
• Lubbock Chairman, Al Gore's Presidential Campaign, 1988
• Delegate to National Democratic Convention - Atlanta 1998
• Clinton Staff, National Democratic Convention - Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY

Papers Written and Presented (partial listing):

• Mistakes to Avoid in Opening Statements,
  August 2009, Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Steamboat Springs, CO
• Challenging Defense Experts – Foundational Attack and IME’s
  July 2009, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, American Association for Justice, San Francisco, CA
• Expert Witness Intimidation
  July 2009, Melvin Belli Society, San Francisco, CA
• Developing Damages in a CRPS Case
  April 2009, American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC), Phoenix, AZ
• Mistakes to Avoid in Opening Statements
  Presented to the New Lawyers Division July 2008, New Lawyers Division, American Association for Justice, Philadelphia, PA
• Effective Settlement Brochures
  July 2008, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, American Association for Justice, Philadelphia, PA
• Overcoming Obstacles in Trying the RSD Case
  July 2007, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, American Association for Justice, Chicago, IL
• Mediation Brochures, Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
  June 2007, Mississippi Trial Lawyers, New Orleans, LA
• Running a Successful Motor Vehicle Accident Practice
  June 2007, Panel Discussion University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
• Fraternity Hazing: A High Profile Over-Hydration Case at SMU
  July 2006, Melvin Belli Society, Seattle, WA
• Perseverance – Working Through the Difficult Case
  July 2006, New Lawyers Division, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Seattle, WA
• Ten Types of RSD Cases to Avoid
  July 2006, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Seattle, WA
• Insurance Claims Litigation Information Sources
  October 2005, Insurance Law Seminar, Mississippi Trial Lawyers, Hattiesburg, MS
• Bullying, Hazing, and Sexual Assaults: Litigating Violence in Military and Private School Cases
  July 2005, School Violence Litigation Group, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Developing the Case through Testimony of Expert and Lay Witnesses
  July 2005, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Making Points with the Defense Expert Depositions
  May 2005, Advanced Personal Injury Course, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas, TX
• Opening Statements in a Car Wreck Case
  March 2005, Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, New Orleans, LA
• Direct Examination of the Plaintiff's Expert Witness
  July 2004, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Boston, MA
• How to Structure your Law Office for Maximum Efficiency
  July 2004, Solo Practitioner and Small Firm Section, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Boston, MA
• Opening Statements in a Low Impact Case
  May 2004, New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association, Atlantic City, NJ
• Maximize the Case through Video Depositions
  Advanced Personal Injury Course, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas, TX
• Handling the Big Case in a Small Office
  November 2002, In the Current Seminar, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Cozumel, Mexico
• Videotaped Depositions with Results
  November 2001, In the Current Seminar, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Turks and Caicos, BWI
• Videotaped Depositions with Results
  June 2001, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Seminar, Cody, WY
• Videotaped Depositions with Results
  May 2001, Mississippi Trial Lawyers Annual Seminar, Biloxi, MS
• Videotaped Depositions with Results
  February 2001, Workhorse Seminar, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Orlando, FL
• Classic Opening Statements in the Auto Case
  October 2000, Auto Collisions Seminar of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, Missoula, Montana
• Underappreciated Pain Syndromes
  July 2000, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Educational Program at the Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Chicago, IL
• Classic Opening Statements in the Auto Case
  October 1999, Annual Seminar of the Kansas Trial Lawyer Association, Topeka, KS
• Free Web-Based Legal Research and Computer Technology
  July 1999, Small Office Practice Section Seminar at the Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, San Francisco, CA
• Video Taped Depositions: When, Why and How
  July 1998, Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Washington, D.C.
• What's on the Net? - Everything!
  July 1998, Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Washington, D.C.
• Top 10 List: Secrets of a Successful Small Office Practice
  February 1998, Mid-Winter Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Maui, HI.
• Handling Expert Witnesses in Complex RSD Cases
  July 1997, Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, San Diego, CA.
• The Interstate Trucking Case from Investigation to Trial
  January 1997, Mid-Winter Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Boca Raton, FL.
  June 1997, Annual Convention of the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, Lake Ozark, MO.
  August 1997, Hot Tips for Hot Times Seminar of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, South Padre, TX.
• Classic Opening Statements in the Auto Case: Anticipating the Defenses of "Whiplash" and Rising Insurance Rates
  September 1996, Workhorse Seminar of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Atlanta, GA.
• Family Law and Torts
  August 1996, Hot Tips for Hot Times Seminar of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, South Padre, TX.
• Domestic Violence and Gender Bias
  July 1996, Education Seminar of the Women's Trial Lawyers Caucus at the Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Boston, MA.
• Representing the Victim: How to Handle the Domestic Violence Case
  February 1996, Mid-Winter Convention of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Hot Springs, AR.
  June 1996, Encore Seminar of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, El Dorado, AR.
• Update on the Insanity Defense
  July 1995, Criminal Law Section Seminar at the Annual Convention of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New York, NY.
• Special Witnesses and Sensitive Topics
  November 1994, Advanced Techniques for Witness Examination Seminar of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, San Antonio, TX.
  December 1994, Advanced Techniques for Witness Examination Seminar of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Houston, TX.
• Elements of Damage in Car Wreck Cases
  March 1994, Car Wrecks Seminar of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Austin, TX.

ARTICLES IN LEGAL PUBLICATIONS:

• Rekindling the Atticus Finch Flame
  The Warrior, Journal of the Trial Lawyers College, Winter ed., 2005

• Classic Opening Statements in the Auto Case: Anticipating the Defense of Whiplash and Rising Insurance Rates
  The Warrior, Journal of the Trial Lawyers College, September 2002

• Weaving a Site on the Web
  Trial, Journal of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Vol. 34, No. 9, p.50-51, September 1998

• Secrets of a Successful Small Office Practice
  Trial, Journal of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Vol. 34, No. 4, p.82-85, April 1998

• Practical Ideas for Handling Child Witnesses
  Trial Diplomacy Journal, Vol. 19, 5-10, January /February 1996

• Legal Malpractice: Problems in Proving Breach of duty and Causation
  Butterworth's Personal Injury Reporter, Vol. 9, No.5, 1992
  Texas Trial Lawyer's Forum Magazine, Vol. 26, No.2, 1992

National Television Appearance:

• Encounters with the Unexplained: Hospital Negligence - Will the Hospital Cure You or Kill You?”
  PAX Network, Narrated by Jerry Orbach, February-March 2002

Webcast Seminar:

• Mediation Brochures, Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck
  Webcast for TrialSmith, June 13, 2007

Memberships:

• Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Since 1996
  Board of Directors, Since 1996
  Chair, Membership Committee, 1997
  President-Elect, 2002-2003
  President 2003-2004

• Trial Lawyers Care, Inc., 2001
  Together with over 1,000 Trial Lawyers across the Nation, providing pro bono (for free) legal services to the victims of the 911 tragedy in New York City -- assisting them to receive adequate compensation from the 9-11 fund enacted by Congress in September 2001.

• American Association for Justice (formerly know as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America), 1984 – present
  Board of Trustees National College of Advocacy (NCA) - 2009. (Appointed by the President of AAJ).
  Executive Committee - 2004 - 2005 and 2006-2009
  Chair, Women's Trial Lawyers Caucus - 1992 - 1993
  Board of Governors, 1993 - Present
  Co-Chair, Elections Committee, 1993 - 2003
  Chair, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, 2002 – 2003, 2009
  Secretary-Treasurer, CRPS/RSD Litigation Group, 2004-2008
  Co-Chair, State Affairs Committee, 2000 - Present
  Organization and Home Office Committee, 1994 - 2004
  Vice-Chair, Organization and Home Office Committee, 1996 – 1997
  Chair, Organization and Home Office Committee, 1997 - 1998
  Co-Chair, Long Range Plan Task Force, 1999 - 2000
  Chair, Small Office Section, 2001 - 2002

• Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Since 1984
  Board of Directors, 1986 - present
  Executive Committee, 2006-2007
  Served as Chair of the Ethics/Grievance Committee
  Served on the Nominating Committee
  Served on Building Task Force

• American Board of Trial Advocates, Since 2003
• State Bar of Texas, Since 1984
  Jury Service Committee, 1990 - 1994

• South Plains Trial Lawyers
  President, 1991 - 1992
  Board of Directors, 1986 - 1993
  Chair, Toy Safety Campaign Chairman, 1992 and 1995

• Dallas Bar Association, Since 1996
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association
  Board of Directors 1997-1998
  Member, 2008-2009

• Lubbock County Women's Bar Association
  Charter Member and Board Directors, 1987 - 1995

• Chair of Lubbock Community Domestic Violence Task Force
  Chair, 1986 and 1994

Ms. McLarty is rated "(AV)," which is the highest rating established by Martindale-Hubbell's Law Directory. This rating is only given to lawyers and law firms which are considered by the legal community to have Very High to Preeminent Legal Ability and who are thought to embrace Very High Professional Standards.

Ms. McLarty is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which is a prestigious group of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and have demonstrated, in an objective and tangible way, their ability to accomplish superior results in complex cases. Certification by the Million Dollar Advocates Forum provides recognition of such accomplishment and a national network of experienced colleagues for information exchange, assistance and professional referral. Less than 1% of all U.S. lawyers are members.

Ms. McLarty is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), which is an impressive and exclusive organization of attorneys who display skill, civility and integrity, to help younger attorneys achieve a higher level of trial advocacy and to educate the public about the vital importance of the Seventh Amendment. "Justice by the People," is the primary purpose of ABOTA. Thomas Jefferson was of the opinion that the right to trial by a jury of fellow citizens was a more important safeguard of personal liberty than the right to vote. With a jury, the rights and duties of each of us will be decided by our fellow citizens, not by some bureaucrat or governmental functionary. ABOTA agrees with Jefferson and is a leader in the fight to preserve and protect your right to a jury trial and is dedicated to "Justice by the People." Admittance to membership is limited to lawyers with tenure, civility, skill, integrity and professionalism, a minimum number of jury trials tried to verdict and nomination and election by the membership.

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