Dickinson & Wheelock, P.C. Law Firm

Mr. Dickinson's practice is centered upon commercial litigation, transactional work and business consultation. He represents a number of businesses as external “general counsel.” He regularly assists these clients on a variety of matters including business negotiations, deal documentation, litigation, dispute management and dispute prevention. Mr. Dickinson's corporate clients include oil and gas exploration companies, a large jet charter company and an international owner and franchisor of FBOs (refueling facilities for general aviation). He also has significant experience defending mass-tort product liability lawsuits and has lectured repeatedly on legal matters including intellectual property in the oil & gas exploration business.

In addition to almost seventeen years of experience as a practicing attorney, Mr. Dickinson has an active practice as a mediator. He has served as a mediator in numerous cases involving personal injury, employment disputes, business litigation, commercial disputes, construction, discrimination, subrogation claims, products liability, medical and professional malpractice.

Business Experience

After graduating in 1980 with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance, Mr. Dickinson worked for seven years as owner and operator of an oil & gas land leasing company before attending law school. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Dickinson has actively participated as a principal in a number of businesses over the last fifteen years. These endeavors have provided him with valuable insight and perspective on the problems faced by businesses in general.

Education

Mr. Dickinson graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Houston Law Center in 1990. He served as Executive Editor of the Houston Law Review in 1989 and graduated Order of the Coif. Before that he graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980 with a BBA in Finance.

Licenses & Certifications

Mr. Dickinson is a member of the Texas Bar. He is licensed to practice in all Texas State Courts, as well as, the United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas and the United States Firth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Dickinson has been qualified as a mediator under Section 154.052 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code since September of 2000.

Author/Speaker

Author: “Theft of Oil and Gas Secrets,” 1992, 1993. Speaker: “The New Texas Appellate Rules,” 1997.

Mr. Wheelock devotes his legal practice to helping new and existing business owners. He serves as external “general counsel” to companies in an array of industries. He regularly assists these clients on a variety of matters, such as business negotiations, deal documentation, litigation and dispute prevention.

Mr. Wheelock regularly works with both franchisors and franchisees in all of their legal dealings.

Mr. Wheelock's legal background also includes 17 years of experience in civil litigation. He has handled hundreds of cases involving: commercial disputes; construction; premises liability; medical malpractice; product liability; discrimination, and employment. He has also handled appeals in both the Texas and federal court systems. Mr. Wheelock's cases have involved disputes ranging from thousands to millions of dollars.

Additionally, Mr. Wheelock serves as an arbitrator for the NASD (National Association of Securities Dealers) and as a mediator. Jeff protects the rights of children by serving as a court-appointed guardian ad litem.

Business Experience

In addition to starting and running our law firm, Mr. Wheelock has been personally involved in starting and overseeing several companies in various industries. He currently serves on the advisory board of multiple companies. His own business experiences provide unique insight when advising his business clients.

Education

Mr. Wheelock graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 1991, where he served as Executive Editor of the Houston Law Review. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and managerial studies from Rice University.

Licenses & Certifications

Mr. Wheelock is licensed to practice in all Texas state courts, as well as the federal courts for the Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

He has obtained certifications as a mediator, arbitrator, and guardian ad litem.

Speaking Engagements

Mr. Wheelock often gives speeches about legal issues in business. He has been asked to speak by multiple groups, including CNN-Radio, the NFL's Houston Texans, various Small Business Development Centers throughout Texas, the University of Houston, and The National Franchise & Business Opportunities Show. Selected speeches include:

• “The Legal ABC's for Franchisees”
• “Which Legal Entity is Right for You”
• “Covenants Not to Compete — How to Make ‘Em & How to Break ‘Em”
• “Ownership Agreements — Who? Why? What? & When?”
• “Buying/Selling a Business? What You Need to Know.”
• “Legal Tips for Entrepreneurs”

Mr. Propes possesses expertise in a wide variety of areas, including trial practice, appeals, labor and employment, transactions, aviation, and oil and gas. His practice serves large and small businesses as outside ageneral counsel.a In that capacity, Mr. Propes provides practical, no-nonsense solutions for the day-to-day issues faced by his clients, including businesses in the general aviation, oil and gas, and construction industries.

Mr. Propes possesses particular expertise in the field of civil appeals. Mr. Propes has authored approximately seventy appellate briefs. These briefs have been submitted to several of the Texas intermediate courts of appeal, as well as the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Propes has also participated in oral argument for several of these appeals. Of those seventy appeals, Mr. Propes has achieved successful outcomes for his clients in over 90% of those cases.

Education

A native of the Houston area, Mr. Propes is proud to have been educated exclusively at the University of Houston. A graduate of the Honors Program, Mr. Propes earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1992. After two years in graduate school, Mr. Propes turned his attention to law school, and earned his juris doctorate in 1997. He served as Casenotes and Comments Editor of the Houston Journal of International Law, and was named to the Order of the Barristers. In law school, Mr. Propes was an active member of the moot court team. With a partner, Mr. Propes won a national moot court competition in 1997, and earned awards for best speaker and best brief in the process.

Licenses & Certifications

Mr. Propes is a member of the State Bar of Texas. He is licensed to practice in all Texas state courts, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Ms. Schiffman began practicing law in 2000. Her current practice focuses on commercial litigation. Ms. Schiffman primarily handles contract disputes between businesses but she also handles contract disputes involving individuals. Ms. Schiffman has over nine years of experience in the practice of law and she has worked on hundreds of civil litigation matters. Ms. Schiffman also has extensive experience with real estate and construction litigation. Ms. Schiffman represents both corporate entities and individuals. Ms. Schiffman's practice is devoted to representing plaintiffs and defendants and she has handled numerous cases on both sides of the docket.

Business Experience

Ms. Schiffman has over seven years experience in civil litigation. Her practice areas have included commercial litigation, real estate and construction litigation, premises liability, insurance coverage, insurance defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, probate litigation, employment litigation, products liability and subrogation. Ms. Schiffman also worked on a federal habeas corpus case in which her former firm was appointed to represent an inmate on death row.

Education

Ms. Schiffman graduated cum laude from South Texas College of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2000. Prior to and during law school, Ms. Schiffman was as a social worker with various governmental and charity organizations in Houston. During law school, Ms. Schiffman also received numerous honors such as the Phi Delta Phi Highest Grade Award, membership on the Dean's Honor List and Speaker Awards in South Texas' intramural mock trial program. Ms. Schiffman graduated magna cum laude from McMurry University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991.

Licenses & Certifications

Ms. Schiffman is licensed as an attorney and counselor at law by the Supreme Court of Texas and she is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Southern District of Texas, Eastern District of Texas and Northern District of Texas.

Professional Associations

Ms. Schiffman has been a proud member of the Garland Walker Chapter of the American Inns of Court since 1999.

Ms. Schiffman has also been a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas since 2002.