DRA-books-lg-2

Dana Ruth Allison

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Texas Supreme Court, Licensed to practice law, 1986
  • The Allison Law Firm; Founding Partner and Partner, 1990
    • Partner with Guy H. Allison, 1990 – 2010
    • Partner with Charles Fincher, 2010 – present
  • Allison, Chavez, and Sweetman; Associate, 1986 – 1989
  • Earlier careers with Intel Corporation, Marketing and Technical Support, 1978 – 1983, and Austin ISD (1977 – 1978) and Round Rock ISD (Spring 1977), Math Teacher

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL)
    • Fellow, 2003 – present
    • First female litigator, from Texas, to be inducted
    • Board of Directors, 2008 – 2014
    • International Relations Committee, 2007 – 2009
  • International Society of Barristers (ISOB)
    • Fellow, 1996 – present
    • First female litigator, from Texas, to be inducted
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
    • Member, 2004 – present
    • Founder, Rio Grande Valley Chapter of ABOTA, 2006
  • Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA)
    • Director and Sustaining Member, 1988 – 2010
  • Texas Bar Foundation
    • Fellow, 1998 – present
  • Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline
    • Special Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, 1995
  • American Association of Justice (AAJ)
    • Governor, 1992 – 1994
    • Sustaining Member, 1987 – present
  • Texas Rules of Evidence/Civil Committee
    • Vice-Chairman, 1991 – 1994
  • Rio Grande Valley Trial Lawyers
    • President, 1990 – 1993
  • American Bar Association; Member, 1986 – present
  • State Bar of Texas; Member, 1986 – present
  • Cameron County Bar Association; Member, 1986 – present
  • Hidalgo County Bar Association; Member, 1986 – present
  • Admitted to practice in all Texas State Courts and U.S. District Courts, Southern District, Northern District and U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit; 1986 – present

EDUCATION

  • ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
    • J.D. with distinction, Valedictorian, 1986
  • Honors, Awards, and Competitions
    • The Order of Barristers, 1985
    • The John M. Harlan Society, 1986
    • American Jurisprudence Awards in Commercial Paper, Procedure II, Remedies, Property, and Wills & Estates (1983 – 1986)
    • St. Mary’s and State Moot Court Competitions, Winner 1985
    • Ernest A. Raba Writing Competition, Best Brief, 1983
    • Phi Delta Phi, 1984
    • Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, 1985
    • Dean’s List, 1983 – 1986
  • Research
    • Research Assistant, Texas Rules of Evidence, a textbook by Professor Thomas Black, Professor at St. Mary’s University of Law
  • UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, EXETER, ENGLAND, SUMMER 1985
  • SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, B.A.
    • Magna Cum Laude, 1977
  • Degrees
    • Bachelor of Arts, Major in Humanistic Psychology with Minors in Mathematics and Education
  • Honors and Awards
    • Psi Chi, Honors Society for Psychology Majors
      • Charter Member, 1974
    • Alpha Chi, Member
    • Dean’s List, Southwestern University, 1973 – 1977
  • HIGH SCHOOL
    • Drop out 1973 (Age 16)

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

  • Licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas, 1986
  • Admitted to practice in all Texas State Courts and U.S. District Court, Southern District, Northern District and U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit; 1987 – present
  • Texas Lifetime Teacher’s Certificate, 1977
  • Private Pilot’s License, single engine, 1986

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL  FELLOWSHIPS

  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL)
    • Fellow, 2003 – present
    • First female litigator, from Texas, to be inducted
    • Board of Directors, 2008 – 2014
    • International Relations Committee, 2007 – 2009
  • International Society of Barristers (ISOB)
    • Fellow, 1996 – present
    • First female litigator, from Texas, to be inducted
  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
    • Member, 2004 – present
    • Founder, Rio Grande Valley Chapter of ABOTA, 2006

LECTURES,  GUEST PROFESSOR, AND PUBLICATIONS

  • Author and Participant, ABOTA’s Masters in Trial, San Antonio, Texas, 2015
  • Guest Professor with Guy Allison, Washington University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri, 2004 – 2006
  • Author, Attorney Liability for Inadequate Settlement, published in Texas Personal Injury Law Reporter, Butterworth Legal Publishers, Austin, Texas
  • Author and speaker: Variety of Trial Lawyer topics in dozens of Texas State Bar and TTLA Seminars, 1989 – 2017

UNIQUE LICENSES AND EXPERIENCES

  • High School Drop-Out, 1973 (age 16)
  • Private Pilot’s License, single engine, 1986
  • Represented Playboy Enterprises, 1998 – 2012
  • Midsummer Night’s Dream Party, Playboy Mansion, August 2003 by Invitation
  • Jogging – 4 miles a day with Charles Fincher, law and life partner
  • Owner and operator of Farasi Farm, a horse farm, www.FarasiFarm.com, 1996 – present
  • Animal Rescue – Lifetime Involvement
    • Owner of 18 dogs, 25+ cats, and 10 horses
    • Pro Bono work for Friends of Animal Rescue