< PreviousTREY CRAWFORD Trey Crawford grew up in Dallas and attended Rich- ardson High School. Crawford graduated from TCU major- ing in finance (cum laude) and was a four-year letterman on the baseball team. With ambitions of a career in the FBI, Crawford headed to law school at SMU. Once there, how- ever, his career focus changed. “I found the competitive nature of litigation similar to athletics and I really thrived in that atmo- sphere winning sev- eral national mock trial competitions.” Today, Crawford’s legal practice focuses on complex, often high-stakes business disputes. His verdicts have been featured in National Law Journal’s “Big Money Wins,” Texas Lawyer’s “10 Million Dollar Club,” the Dallas Morning News, and the Dallas Business Journal. Outside of the office, Crawford is an avid golfer; co-owns a wine company out of Napa, California (Horned Toad Cabernet); and spends a lot of time with his wife and family at their cattle ranches in south Texas and New Mexico. A big believer in both family and community, Crawford recently helped his father-in-law, then Sheriff of Victoria County and recently appointed U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of Texas, deliver urgently needed patrol cars to Rockport fol- lowing Hurricane Harvey. THE CWL TEAM From the foundational values of the firm, to its client relationships, down to the small- est of details within the walls of the firm’s downtown office, the sense of family is every- where at CWL. For example, the firm’s three conference rooms are named after the three principal’s dogs: Mac, for Wishnew’s English Bulldog; Lincoln, for Crawford’s Vizsla; and Bruce, for Lang’s Boxer. And just down the hall, a lounge area, complete with comfortable seating, a shuffleboard table and bar, serves as a place for CWL’s employees to relax and spend time together. Crawford says, “We love practicing togeth- er. We work hard but we enjoy it. We laugh a lot. We like to all gather in our office late Fri- day afternoons for happy hours and to catch up with what’s happened during the week and what’s going on in each other’s lives.” Illustrating the support the members of the firm have for each other both at work and in their personal lives, Wishnew says, “If some- thing happens to them, it happens to me. We support each other, not just here at the firm, but outside the firm with things that are im- portant to us as humans. We formed a true team environment. Everybody rows in the same direction.” The partners agree that adding the best people to the firm’s team, which now includes a total of nine attorneys, is part of what makes CWL great. “We hit a grand slam with the people we’ve selected, who are now part of the CWL family. These people haven’t just made the firm successful, they’ve helped make it fun,” Lang says. TREY, DAVE AND MICHAEL THE BROTHERS IN THE “BROTHERS IN LAW” 20DAVE WISHNEW Dave Wishnew describes his father, who was also an attorney, as one of the biggest influences in his life. “My dad passed away when I was a senior at Allen high school. I feel fortunate to have had almost 18 years with him, and it is hard to believe it has been 23 without him. My experiences with him shaped who I am today. It affects my relationships with my family and friends, my business partners and associates, and my clients,” says Wishnew. A two-time Scholar Athlete All American in soccer at Rhodes College, Wishnew later attended law school at the University of Texas before mov- ing home to Dallas. Wishnew’s law practice focuses on complex commer- cial, employment, and intellectual property litigation in state courts, federal courts, and administrative forums throughout Texas and across the coun- try. His clients include individuals and businesses of all types and sizes. In 2017, a Dallas jury awarded Wishnew’s client, wedding photographer An- drea Polito, a substantial verdict in a defamation case that garnered inter- national attention in hundreds of publications and media outlets. Wishnew tried the case with associate, T.J. Jones. Wishnew stays busy outside of the office. He is a co-owner and investor in several bars and restaurants and other fun ventures in Dallas: Mac’s South- side, which was named after his English bulldog, Zalat Pizza, Malibu Poke, 77 Degrees Rooftop Lounge, and Jack & Gingers Irish Pub. Wishnew is also a popular choice for wedding officiant among his engaged friends and has presided over no less than five weddings in recent years. “Of- ficiating a wedding is one of the coolest and most rewarding things I’ve done in my life,” he says. MICHAEL LANG Originally from the Dallas area and a gradu- ate of Richardson J.J. Pearce High School, Michael Lang graduated from the University of Texas and law school at SMU. In his legal prac- tice, Lang focuses on complex commercial, bankruptcy and pro- bate disputes on behalf of trustees and the ben- eficiaries of wills and estates or trust repre- sentatives. His clients include individuals and businesses of all types and sizes and across sev- eral industries, includ- ing real estate, private equity, manufacturing, banking and technol- ogy. He has litigated high-exposure, multi-million dollar cases in state and federal courts throughout Texas and across the country, including a 2014 well-publicized case before the Supreme Court of the United States, Wellness International Network, Ltd. v. Sharif, 135 S.Ct. 1932 (2015). The youngest of Michael’s two daughters has Rett syn- drome, which is a rare neurological disorder that com- bines symptoms of autism, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s and epilepsy and primarily manifests in girls between the ages of one and three years old. Lang and his wife, Amanda, are actively involved in raising money for Rett Syndrome Research Trust, which is a non-profit organization that is leading the charge in Rett syndrome research worldwide. The couple recently hosted the first ever Reverse Rett Dallas at one of the firm’s clients, Community Beer Com- pany in Dallas, which was also sponsored by CWL. Addi- tionally, the firm supports other causes and charities, often focusing its fundraising efforts on charities designed to help children, including the Sandlot Children’s Charities, Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters and St. Jude’s. LOOKING AHEAD The “Brothers In Law” are looking forward to CWL’s continued growth, which they know stems from their commitment to maintaining CWL as a place where a pro- fessional approach to the law is combined with a familial approach to business. Crawford says the firm’s future looks bright. “I get to wake up every day doing what I love to do, solving some of the most difficult problems. Sometimes we’re able to solve them sooner, and sometimes we invest years. But we get to do it together, in a firm we built together, with men and women that we trust and respect. We get to win together,” he says. Undoubtedly, when Henry V said, “we few, we happy few” on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, he was not talk- ing about a group of lawyers—but it seems he could have been. AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 21Crawford, Wishnew & Lang PLLC 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2390 Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 817-4500 www.cwl.law “Assertive Advocates. Trusted Advisors.” PRACTICE AREAS Complex Commercial Litigation Partnership & Shareholder Disputes Labor & Employment Litigation Executive Disability Claims Probate, Trust, Estates & Fiduciary Litigation Intellectual Property Litigation Aviation & Aerospace Litigation Bankruptcy Litigation Real Estate & Construction Litigation Oil and Gas & Energy Litigation Business & Securities Fraud Litigation Trade Secret, Trademark & Trade Dress Litigation Civil Appeals Dispute Resolution Pre-Litigation Counseling PARTNERS TREY CRAWFORD Juris Doctor, Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, Texas Christian University DAVE WISHNEW Juris Doctor, University of Texas School of Law Bachelor of Business Administration, Economics, Rhodes College MICHAEL LANG Juris Doctor, Southern Methodist University School of Law Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas at Austin STAFF Nine Attorneys Two Paralegals Office Administrator HONORS Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rated At a Glance MICHAEL, DAVE AND TREY 22 ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · DALLAS· VOL. 6 NO. 4Top 10 - Forbes Best Banks Western Alliance Bank specializes in banking for law firms and settlement administrators. 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Its specialized Settlement Services Group brings clients years of experience and offers exceptional service supporting all phases of the settlement process. Settlement Services Group Western Alliance Bank (833) 854-2705 settlementservices@westernalliancebank.comManage by Leading: A Marketing Guide for Future Leaders BY TERRIE S. WHEELER, MBC T hink about the lawyers in your firm or other lawyers you know in the community. Now think of the lawyers that seem to be a cut above the rest. These lawyers are trust- ed and appreciated by their colleagues in the legal industry, in their communities, on the boards they serve, and by their state and local bar associations. Colleagues seek out and truly value their opinion. They are genuinely kind, selfless people who are constantly giving to help others. These lawyers are true leaders who can inspire others to follow them in new directions. In short, people believe in them. MANAGEMENT IS AN IMPORTANT SKILL TOO Lawyers who are managers are great at developing systems and processes for litigation efficiencies or effective execution of corporate transactions. They manage a group of associates and other lawyers by sharing what they have learned and by overseeing each team mem- bers’ responsibilities until the work is completed. Managers are very mission-driven, and their goal is to accomplish the tasks at hand and move onto the next deliverable to conquer. BE A LEADER - YOUR MARKETING EFFORTS DEPEND ON IT Some fortunate people are “natural born leaders.” If you were not born to lead, fear not. You can learn the skills necessary to become THAT lawyer people want to be with; THAT lawyer whose opinion is sought after; THAT lawyer who commands the trust and respect of their colleagues. The following ideas will help you uncover your innate skills as a leader and build important leadership skills that will form the foundation you will build your future practice on. SAY YES! When someone (a partner or colleague in your law firm, your bar association, or a community group) asks you to do something, step up and say yes. Leaders develop their reputations by engaging in the world around them – not cloistered away in their offices. SERVE ON A BOARD Non-profit boards are always looking for lawyers to bring their knowledge and experience to the table. Board involvement will help you refine your leadership skills by taking an active interest in the board(s) you serve on. Prepare for meetings. Ask great questions. Vol- unteer to serve on a committee. If you say you will do something, do it. Promote your organization on social media and become “tied” to the organizations you support. ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · DALLAS· VOL. 6 NO. 4 24BE ACTIVE IN YOUR BAR ASSOCIATIONS For other lawyers to see you as a leader, you need to ac- tively participate in your state and local bar associations. Attend the meetings and meet new people. Take the pres- sure off yourself by genuinely trying to learn more about the person you are taking to. Ask great questions to show you are listening and are interested in what they are say- ing. Work your way up the ranks by volunteering to serve in a position of leadership. Then, show up! Make your bar association activities a priority EVEN when you are busy. SPEAK! When establishing yourself as a leader, put yourself out there by offering to speak. Once you begin speaking on a regular basis, new opportunities will find you. Speak- ing builds leadership skills because you engage with the audience. Draw them into your topic by providing many examples to demonstrate your points. The more speaking you do, the better you will get! WRITE ARTICLES You build your leadership skills by writing articles be- cause you are demonstrating your subject matter mastery. You are generously sharing tips and ideas to help educate your readers on topics of interest to them. The more writ- ing you do, the more people will see you as a leader, and the more you will be asked to speak and write articles. Talk about positive momentum! BE A LEADER IN YOUR FIRM Remember leadership is about how you engage with people and inspire them to follow you toward reaching a common goal. Volunteer to serve on com- mittees in your firm like diversity, marketing, law school recruit- ment, and myriad other commit- tees that make your firm tick. Try to have a personal relationship with every person at your firm. Have conversations, ask questions, and listen. Leaders are respected and adored by those around them. But you must “walk the walk.” PRO BONO WORK MATTERS Many firms have official pro bono programs, while most rely on the lawyers to meet the guide- lines established in the Rules of Professional Responsibility. To be a leader, you need to be selfless and look beyond what’s in it for you. Pro bono legal representation can provide a personally reward- ing way for you to give back and help people without the means to hire lawyers of their own. Adding your pro bono opportunities to your biography will show you are a lawyer who is not just focused on billable hours or fees. KINDNESS AND RESPECT Because leadership is about the gravitational pull you have on oth- ers, you must treat people at all levels in all organizations with kindness and respect. Smile at people in the hallway, say hello, check in with your peers and colleagues to see how they are doing. The ultimate compliment as a lawyer is, “Sue is the best lawyer we have AND she is a really nice person.” No one is too busy to show common courtesies to others. Like with everything else in life, it can be the small things you do that have the greatest impact on others. Some people are born natural leaders, but others, with a commitment to building leadership skills, can do so. How? By showing others you care about what’s important to them, and that you are willing to spend some of your valuable time helping others achieve their goals. While you will also need to develop strong management skills, it is your leadership skills that will draw people to you, cre- ate trust and loyalty with peers and colleagues, and offer the most personally and professionally rewarding aspects of your career. TERRIE S. WHEELER, MBC, IS THE FOUNDER OF PROFESSION- AL SERVICES MARKETING, LLC. SHE SPENDS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME COACHING LAWYERS TO BECOME SUCCESS- FUL RAINMAKERS. PART OF HER WORK INVOLVES HELPING HER CLIENTS MAKE THE MOST OF THEIR NETWORKING MEETINGS! TERRIE WRITES AND SPEAKS NATIONALLY ON ETHICAL MAR- KETING STRATEGIES FOR LAWYERS. SHE RECENTLY COMPLETED A SIX-YEAR TERM ON THE MN LAWYERS PROFESSIONAL RE- SPONSIBILITY BOARD AND TEACHES MARKETING AND CLIENT SERVICE AT TWO LAW SCHOOLS. CONTACT TERRIE AT 320-358- 1000, OR TERRIE@PSM-MARKETING.COM. THE NEXUS OF DIGITAL & TRADITIONAL EVIDENCE John D. Shirley, CFE Chief Investigator (817) 894-4424 (817) 894-4424 “We maximize the relevancy of ALL evidence, no matter the source”. Contact@Intrepid-Investigations.com www.intrepid-investigations.com • Fraud Investigations • Intellectual Property Investigations • Non-Compete Enforcement • asset tracing • Criminal Defense • 360 o due dilligence• Digital Forensics • Surveillance / Undercover • Fraud Investigations • Intellectual Property Investigations • Non-Compete Enforcement • asset tracing • Criminal Defense • 360 o due dilligence• Digital Forensics • Surveillance / Undercover TX Lic# A07356101 AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 25OUT ON THE TOWN The Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (DCDLA) and the DBA Family Law Section Networking Happy Hour at Ozonas DCDLA and the Family Law Section – DBA invite you to eat, drink and connect. dcdla.com HAPPY HOUR JOIN US FOR Design by MartinWood.Studio 26 ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · DALLAS· VOL. 6 NO. 4AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 27SUBMIT PRESS RELEASES FOR NEXT MONTH’S TALK OF THE TOWN AT WWW.ATTORNEYATLAWMAGAZINE.COM/SUBMIT-TOT/ AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESS RELEASES EVENTS PROMOTIONS ACTIVITES HONORS RECOGNITIONS TALK TOWN of the Posinelli welcomes new Shareholder Liz N. Boydston , who jointly offices in Dallas and Houston. Boydston joins the firm’s Bank- ruptcy & Restructuring practice group, where she focuses on Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, adver- sary proceedings, fraudulent trans- fers, preference litigation and the sales of substantially all assets, receiver- ships and workouts throughout the U.S. Frank Stevenson , a Partner in Locke Lord’s Dallas office and Past President of both the State Bar of Texas and Dallas Bar Association (DBA), was honored with the 2019 Morris Harrell Profes- sionalism Award, presented by the DBA and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism. The Mor- ris Harrell Professionalism Award, ti- tled in memory of a widely revered former President of both the State Bar and the American Bar Association who also was a named Partner of Locke Lord’s legacy firm in Dallas. The Dallas-based in- tellectual property and business litigation firm Caldwell Cassady & Curry has added Nicho- las Nestelbaum as the firm’s newest associate. Mr. Nestelbaum focuses his practice on patent litigation and commercial litigation. His legal track record in- cludes representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes civil cases at the state and federal level. Stacy Conder Allen LLP, a Dallas, TX insur- ance defense firm, is pleased to announce Clinton D. Howie as a Partner in the Firm. Mr. Howie, who joined the firm’s Dallas office in 2009, will continue to represent our clients in business litigation, appellate litiga- tion, and professional liability defense matters. Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli is pleased to announce the election of 31 attorneys to shareholder. Two of the new shareholders are in the firm’s Dallas office: Alexis L. Angell, Health Care Litigation and Disputes Practice Group and Caitlin J. Morgan joins Commer- cial Litigation Practice Group. Crawford, Wishnew & Lang PLLC is pleased to announce the addi- tion of attorney Chris- topher E. Hamilton to its office located in Dal- las, Texas. Christopher, a native Texan who served our coun- try as a U.S. Navy SEAL before pursu- ing a career in law, brings experience in representing individuals and enti- ties in matters involving construction defects, products liability, personal injury and wrongful death, among other things. Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hamp- ton LLP is pleased to announce that Joel Bannister has joined the firm’s Fi- nance and Bankruptcy practice group as a partner in the firm’s Dallas office. Bannister represents financial in- stitutions and credit funds, as well as sponsors and borrowers in sponsor finance transactions, asset-based, cash flow-based and mezzanine lend- ing, and complex intercreditor ar- rangements. Ronald L. Miller has joined the Dallas office of international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP as an asso- ciate in the Firm’s Liti- gation Department. Prior to joining Weil, Miller was an associate at another global law firm, where he represented clients in com- plex litigation matters across a wide range of industries and litigation practice areas. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Bethanie Livernois has joined the firm’s Dallas office as an asso- ciate in the Govern- ment Enforcement and Investigations Practice Group, as the firm continues to expand that practice area .Ms. Liv- ernois has developed and overseen key investigation and auditing strate- gies with an emphasis on company investigation procedures and out- comes, diversion risks, and training programs. Boutique Family Law firm Orsing- Liz N. Boydston Clinton D. Howie Alexis L. Angell Caitlin J. Morgan Joel Bannister Ronald L. Miller Bethanie Livernois Christopher E. Hamilton Frank Stevenson Nicholas Nestelbaum ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · DALLAS· VOL. 6 NO. 4 28AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS PRESS RELEASES EVENTS PROMOTIONS ACTIVITES HONORS RECOGNITIONS SUBMIT PRESS RELEASES FOR NEXT MONTH’S TALK OF THE TOWN AT WWW.ATTORNEYATLAWMAGAZINE.COM/SUBMIT-TOT/ TALK TOWN of the SUBMIT YOUR PRESS RELEASE FOR NEXT MONTH’S Awards • Announcements • Press Releases • Promotions Events • Activities • Honors • Recognitions er, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP, wel- comes attorneys Allen Griffin and John Kappel to the Dallas office. Mr. Griffin joins the firm as an associate with a practice covering a range of family law liti- gation matters. Also joining the firm as an associate, Mr. Kappel focuses on divorce, child custody and property division matters, as well as probate and estate planning KoonsFuller Family Law would like to wel- come attorney Jessica Perroni to the firm. Perroni will practice in the firm’s Plano office. Trial lawyer Laura Benitez Geisler of Dal- las-based Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada & Geisler has been desig- nated a Texas Trailblaz- er by Texas Lawyer magazine for her significant impact on the legal profession. As DBA president, Ms. Geisler initiated the Entrepreneurs in Community Lawyering Program, an intensive year-long program that gives beginning solo practitioners the tools to succeed as business owners and lawyers, serving a low-income and modest means clientele. Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C., a Texas- based, mid-sized com- mercial law firm, is pleased to announce that Keith Morris has joined the Firm as a Shareholder and will lead the Firm’s new Probate & Fi- duciary Litigation practice group. Morris, the latest shareholder to join the Firm, maintains a thriving prac- tice that focuses on probate, guardian- ship, fiduciary litigation and adminis- tration matters. Civil litigation firm, Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst , is thrilled to wel- come Partner Sara Che- lette to the LPCH team from a local top Am- Law firm. Sara’s track record spans over 14 years with a fo- cus on cybersecurity and data privacy. Sara handles business disputes and commercial litigation for both plain- tiffs and defendants in fiduciary duty, trade secret, breach of contract, con- struction defect, and zoning lawsuits. Allen Griffin John Kappel Jessica Perroni Laura Benitez Geisler Keith Morris Sara Chelette • New Hires • Honors & Awards • Board Appointments • Association Elections • Promotions • New Office Locations • Mergers & Acquisitions • Speaking Engagements AttorneyAtLawMagazine.com 29Next >