Varghese Summersett is a premier Texas law firm with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston, dedicated to helping people through life’s greatest challenges. Our firm has three distinct divisions — family law, criminal defense, and personal injury — each staffed with experienced, award-winning attorneys who practice exclusively in their area of expertise.
What sets Varghese Summersett apart is the caliber of our legal team. Our criminal defense division includes five Board Certified specialists — the highest designation an attorney can achieve in Texas — and is comprised entirely of former prosecutors who have collectively tried more than 700 cases to juries. Our family law attorneys are skilled negotiators, experienced litigators, and licensed mediators who have guided hundreds of families through high-net-worth divorces, contentious custody battles, and complex property divisions. Our personal injury team includes former prosecutors and attorneys with insider knowledge of insurance company tactics, allowing us to maximize recoveries for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries or lost loved ones due to negligence.
Since its founding, Varghese Summersett has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing law firms in America by Inc. 5000, a Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber, and one of the best places to work by Fort Worth Inc. for three consecutive years. With more than 1,200 five-star Google reviews, our reputation is built on exceptional results and compassionate, personalized service. Please take a moment to get to know our attorneys.
Divorce & Family Law Attorneys
Our family law division is made up of highly regarded attorneys who have vast experience handling emotionally charged family law matters, including high-net-worth divorce, complex asset division, and sensitive child custody matters. This legal team was selected for its ability to provide clients with the best possible representation during one of the most demanding times of their lives. Sometimes that is accomplished through a quiet, collaborative approach; other times, it requires an aggressive courtroom battle. Our family law attorneys serve clients in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Parker, and Wise counties.
J. Turner Thornton, Partner
Turner Thornton is a highly-regarded Fort Worth family law attorney who leads Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Division. A skilled negotiator, experienced litigator, and licensed mediator, Turner has successfully guided hundreds of individuals and families through their most tumultuous times. Divorce, child custody disputes, and property division are among the most contentious and complex cases in the legal system. Turner understands the intricacies and complexities involved in family law and works strategically to find and implement the best solution for each client.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | UT Austin, B.S.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Divorce, Child Custody Disputes, Property Division, Mediation
Dena L. Wilson, Partner
Dena L. Wilson is a Partner in Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Division. A seasoned trial lawyer, savvy negotiator, and trusted advisor, Dena is known for successfully resolving complex and challenging cases, including high-net-worth divorces, contentious custody battles, and intricate property divisions. With over two decades of experience in family law, Dena has walked clients through virtually every imaginable circumstance. She is especially drawn to cases that require sharp legal insight and creative problem-solving.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | LSU, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: High Asset Divorce, Child Custody, Property Division, Prenuptial Agreements, Adoptions, Spousal Maintenance
Kristen Carr, Senior Associate
Kristen Carr is a Senior Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Division. She guides clients through family matters including divorce, child custody disputes, property division, and adoptions. She has handled hundreds of family law matters and is skilled in trial, mediation, and negotiation. Kristen is also a licensed mediator and volunteers as an attorney monitor for adoptions in Tarrant County.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | Texas Tech, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: High Net Worth Divorce, Child Custody, Property Division, Father’s Rights, Grandparent’s Rights, Prenuptial Agreements, Adoptions
Hailey Klingbeil, Associate
Hailey Klingbeil is an associate attorney in the Family Law Group at Varghese Summersett, where she represents individuals and families facing complex and emotionally charged legal matters. Her practice includes divorce, child custody and support disputes, property division, and other family law issues. Hailey takes a thoughtful, client-focused approach to representation, developing strategies tailored to the needs of each case.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | Texas A&M, B.S.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Family Law, Adoption, Child Custody, Collaborative Law, Military Divorce, Same Sex Family Law, Prenuptial Agreements
Michael A. Livens, Associate
Michael A. Livens is an Associate at Varghese Summersett, focusing on high net-worth divorce, complex property divisions, and contentious cases. He has a strong background in finance, with four years of corporate finance experience, and provides legal guidance on estate, last will, trust, and probate matters. He graduated from UNT Dallas College of Law in the top 10 percent and passed the Texas Bar Exam before graduation.
Education: UNT Dallas College of Law, J.D. | UTA, MBA & BBA Finance
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: High Net-Worth Divorce, Business Interest Division, Receiverships, Child Custody, Trust and Estate Planning, Asset Protection
McKenzie Coe, Associate
McKenzie Coe is an Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Family Law Division, providing skilled, compassionate representation in divorce, child custody, and complex asset division. She is a fierce advocate for her clients, particularly passionate about cases involving domestic violence. McKenzie gained valuable experience in both the public and private sectors, honing her focus on family law and advocating for families in crisis.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | Loyola Marymount, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Contested and Uncontested Divorce, Child Custody, Property Division, Spousal Maintenance, Paternity, Grandparents Rights
Laura Richardson, Of Counsel
Laura Richardson is Of Counsel for Varghese Summersett, focusing on family law matters including high-asset divorce, contentious child custody disputes, and complex property and debt division. She previously practiced in debt finance in Chicago and family law in Key West, Florida. She also worked as a journalist and owned her own business. Her experience in debt finance gives her valuable financial acumen that is particularly useful in high-asset divorces.
Education: UVA School of Law, J.D. | Dartmouth College, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: High Asset Divorce, Child Custody, Property Division, CPS Safety Plans, Paternity, Grandparents Rights, Protective Orders
Criminal Defense Attorneys
Varghese Summersett’s criminal defense team is made up of lawyers of the highest caliber. All of the senior criminal attorneys are former prosecutors, and several are board-certified in criminal law or juvenile law, the highest designation an attorney can reach. Collectively, they have more than 100 years of criminal law experience and have tried more than 700 cases to state and federal juries. The team has successfully represented clients charged with everything from DWI to capital murder. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to fight any criminal case, no matter how complex or high profile. We also handle juvenile cases, a highly specialized area of law for youth under the age of 17. Our criminal defense team serves clients in Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Parker, Wise, Johnson, and Ellis counties.
Tiffany Burks, Partner
Tiffany Burks is a highly-regarded criminal lawyer with over 24 years of trial experience. She served as a prosecutor for 24 years, including 22 years in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, retiring as a Deputy Chief prosecutor. She has handled thousands of cases from misdemeanors to murders and supervises associate attorneys at Varghese Summersett. Her deep understanding of how prosecutors think gives her clients a significant advantage.
Education: Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D. | UT Austin, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: State Criminal Defense, Felonies, Homicides, Violent Offenses, Sex Crimes, Gang Crimes, Gun Crimes, Family Violence
Benson Varghese, Managing Partner
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Benson Varghese is the founder and managing partner of Varghese Summersett. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law — the highest designation an attorney can reach in a practice area. A former prosecutor, he has tried more than 100 state and federal criminal cases before Texas juries, ranging from DWI to murder. Before law school, Benson worked as an insurance adjuster, giving him insider knowledge of how insurance companies evaluate claims. Today, while he maintains his criminal defense expertise, Benson focuses primarily on firm growth and serious personal injury cases.
Education: Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D. | SMU, BBA
Offices: Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, Houston
Practice Areas: Firm Management, Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense
Anna Summersett, Partner
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Anna Summersett is a founding partner at Varghese Summersett, where she helps manage the business side of the firm. She is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist and an experienced trial lawyer. Anna has handled thousands of criminal cases and tried more than 100 cases before Texas juries, ranging from DWI to capital murder. Prior to private practice, Anna served as a prosecutor for the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
Education: Texas Wesleyan School of Law, J.D. | Baylor University, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: State Criminal Defense, Homicides, Felonies, Misdemeanors, Sex Crimes, DWI & Drug Defense
Christy Jack, Partner
Christy Jack is a nationally-recognized attorney who has tried more than 200 criminal cases before a jury. Prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney, Christy was a prosecutor at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for more than two decades, working through the ranks to become a chief prosecutor for 15 years.
Education: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D. | Baylor University, BBA
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Capital Murder
Letty Martinez, Partner
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Before becoming a defense attorney, Letty Martinez had over 20 years of prosecutorial experience with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, serving as Chief of the Family Violence Unit and Crimes Against Children Unit, and Deputy Chief of the Misdemeanor Division. She also worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas. Letty is an experienced trial attorney, having tried over 100 cases, and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Baylor Law School.
Education: Baylor School of Law, J.D. | Baylor University, B.Music
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Sexual Abuse, Violent Offenses
Lisa Herrick, Partner
Board Certified in Juvenile Law
Lisa Herrick is a Partner at Varghese Summersett, specializing in juvenile law and complex criminal cases. She previously served as a prosecutor in the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for over eight years, handling hundreds of cases and taking more than 80 to jury trial. Lisa is Board Certified in Juvenile Law (2020), demonstrating her specialized expertise in representing young clients facing criminal charges.
Education: University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D. | OU, B.S.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Juvenile Defense, State Criminal Defense, Felonies, Violent Offenses, Sex Crimes, Drug Charges
Mike Hanson, Senior Counsel | Houston Area Lead
Board Certified in Juvenile Law
Mike Hanson is a highly accomplished trial attorney at Varghese Summersett, overseeing the firm’s Houston office. He has over a decade of experience as a prosecutor, military lawyer, and criminal defense attorney, having tried more than 60 cases before a jury. He served as an Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County and Fort Bend County. Mike serves in the United States Army Reserve JAG Corps and is Board Certified in Juvenile Law (2025).
Education: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D. | JAG Legal Center and School
Office: Houston, TX
Practice Areas: Juvenile Defense, Veterans Defense, State Criminal Defense, Felonies, Animal Cruelty Cases
Alex Thornton, Senior Associate
Alex Thornton is a Senior Associate at Varghese Summersett, where her primary focus is on state criminal defense matters in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas. She provides comprehensive legal representation to clients charged with misdemeanors and felonies, including intoxication offenses, drug charges, and crimes against people. Alex has developed a strong reputation as a skilled DWI defense attorney.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | Texas A&M, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: State Criminal Defense, DWI Defense, Felonies, Misdemeanors, Diversion Programs
Sheena Winkfield, Senior Associate
Sheena Winkfield is a Senior Associate at Varghese Summersett, focusing on felony charges. Previously, she served as a felony prosecutor in Tarrant and Dallas Counties for nearly five years, handling various criminal cases from DWI to capital murder and federal offenses. Her background handling serious felony cases has given her the skills and confidence to take on the most challenging criminal matters.
Education: Texas A&M School of Law, J.D. | Texas A&M, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: State & Federal Criminal Defense, Felonies, Homicides, Violent Offenses, Sex Crimes, Gang Crimes
Audrey Hatcher, Associate
Audrey Hatcher is an associate at Varghese Summersett, where she focuses on state and federal criminal defense. She helps people facing misdemeanor and felony charges, including intoxication-related offenses, drug crimes, sex cases, thefts, and assaults. Audrey began interning at Varghese Summersett as an undergraduate at TCU and continued through SMU Dedman School of Law.
Education: SMU Dedman School of Law, J.D. | TCU, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Federal Criminal Defense, State Criminal Defense, DWI, Drug Cases, Theft, Assaults
Ashley Feldt, Associate
Ashley Feldt is an Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Criminal Defense Division, bringing experience as a former prosecutor and trial attorney. She has prosecuted and defended hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases. Before joining the firm, Ashley served as an Assistant District Attorney in Denton and Dallas counties and practiced civil litigation, ultimately returning to her passion for criminal defense.
Education: South Texas College of Law, J.D. | TCU, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: State Criminal Defense, Felonies, Misdemeanors, Intoxication Crimes, Drug Charges, Sex Offenses, Assaults
Personal Injury Attorneys
Varghese Summersett’s personal injury division is dedicated to getting compensation and justice for victims who have been injured or their loved ones killed due to the negligent or wrongful acts of others. Our team fiercely advocates for our clients, working tirelessly to ensure that their rights are protected and their voices are heard. We’re not afraid to take on the toughest cases or the biggest companies. We have the resources, tenacity, and track record to go the distance, holding people and corporations accountable for their wrongdoings. Our personal injury team serves clients throughout the state of Texas.
Ty Stimpson, Partner
Ty Stimpson leads Varghese Summersett’s Personal Injury Division. He began his legal career as a prosecutor at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and later at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, handling hundreds of cases. He transitioned to private practice as a personal injury attorney, building a reputation for exceptional negotiation and trial skills. Ty represents clients injured in car wrecks, 18-wheeler accidents, motorcycle crashes, workplace injuries, and wrongful death cases.
Education: St. John’s School of Law, LL.M. | Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Car Wrecks, 18-Wheeler Accidents, Motorcycle Crashes, Dangerous Products, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful Death
Damian Williams, Partner
Damian N. Williams is a Partner in Varghese Summersett’s Personal Injury Division, bringing a wealth of experience to the firm’s Dallas office. A highly respected trial lawyer, Damian is known for handling complex, high-stakes cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death. He represents individuals and families in cases involving trucking and auto collisions, oilfield and industrial accidents, construction-site injuries, and dangerous products. Damian is a trial-first attorney with multiple seven-figure verdicts and settlements.
Education: Washington University School of Law, J.D. | USC, B.A.
Office: Dallas, TX
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Catastrophic Injuries, Wrongful Death, Trucking Accidents, Oilfield Accidents, Construction Injuries
Katie Steele, Senior Counsel
Katie Steele serves as Senior Counsel in Varghese Summersett’s Personal Injury Division, representing clients in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. She has a deep understanding of personal injury law, advocating for victims in car wrecks, trucking accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous products, and premises liability claims. Prior to this, she worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for six years. Her experience also includes representing insurance companies, providing her with valuable insight into their operations.
Education: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D. | UTA, B.A.
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Car Wrecks, Trucking Accidents, Workplace Injuries, Dangerous Products, Premises Liability
Taylor Brumbaugh, Associate
Taylor Brumbaugh is an Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Personal Injury Division, where she helps clients who have been injured or lost loved ones. Her legal career began at Varghese Summersett as a client relations specialist before attending law school. Taylor’s background in client relations gives her a unique perspective on personal injury practice. She understands the challenges that injured clients face and the importance of clear communication and compassionate representation.
Education: Texas Tech School of Law, J.D. | TCU, B.S. Journalism
Office: Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Speak to an Experienced Lawyer Today
While Varghese Summersett has three divisions — personal injury, family law, and criminal defense — each attorney practices only in their specific area of expertise, ensuring our clients receive the most knowledgeable and focused legal representation possible.
Our strength is our depth of experience in each division, which is shown in the exceptional outcomes we achieve for clients. We have more than a 1200 5-star Google reviews, a testament to the unwavering dedication and exceptional service our team provides to each client. These reviews don’t just reflect victories in court but also the compassionate, personalized attention we provide to each person who walks through our doors.
At Varghese Summersett, we understand that behind every case is a person going through something profound in their life. We are committed to treating every client with the dignity, respect, and empathy they deserve. Call today for a consultation with an experienced attorney.
Fort Worth Office
Varghese Summersett – Downtown Fort Worth
One City Place Building
300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700
Fort Worth, Texas, 76102
817-203-2220
Southlake Office
Varghese Summersett – Border of Southlake and Westlake
Kirkwood Oaks Business Center
3120 Sabre Drive, Suite 110
Southlake, Texas 76092
817-415-1575
Dallas Office
Varghese Summersett – Downtown Dallas
Bryan Tower
2001 Bryan Street, Suite 1905B
Dallas, Texas, 75201
214-903-4000
Houston Office
2925 Briarpark Drive, Suite 850
Houston, TX 77042
281-805-2220
