PARTNER
Overview
LaDawn Nandrasy is board-certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a prestigious credential earned by less than 1% of practicing Texas lawyers. In her three decades of practicing appellate law, she has tried cases in several appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Texas and the Fifth Circuit.
LaDawn exemplifies excellence in appellate courts. Her legal strategies before, during, and after trial are appreciated by clients as she works tirelessly to ensure their records are positioned for a win on appeal.
Experience
A Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, LaDawn is committed to the legal profession. She has served for 12 years, on the Business Volume of the State Bar Pattern Jury Charge Committee, including three as chair. She has also held leadership roles in the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section as a council member, chair of the Annual Meeting Committee, and co-chair of the Diversity Committee.
LaDawn has repeatedly been recognized for her excellent work. Thomson Reuters has listed her as a “Texas Super Lawyer” in appellate law every year since the award’s inception in 2003, and as a “Top 50 Women Lawyer in Texas.” D Magazine has named her one of its “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas” and consistently included her on the list of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” in appellate law.
Active in her community, LaDawn’s involvement has included membership on several nonprofit boards, such as Empowering Women and Leaders, and Hope International, an international adoption agency that assisted with the adoption of her daughter from Russia.
LaDawn has also contributed to professional knowledge as the author of Chapter 6 on Interlocutory Appeals, Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Appeals in Texas (Full Court Press 2019), currently in its fourth edition.
Education
- J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1991, cum laude
- B.G.S., University of Texas at Arlington, 1987
Honors
- Selected in “The Best Lawyers in America” list for Appellate Practice, 2024
- Board-Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Rated AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5.0 (Peer Review Rating) by Martindale-Hubbell® [AV® Preeminent™ and BV® Distinguished™ are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards, and policies; more information can be found at www.martindale.com.ratings]
- Named to Texas Super Lawyers® list (2003 to 2023) published by Thomson Reuters
- Named to the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas Super Lawyers list (2011 to 2012) by Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters
- Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® for Appellate Practice (2013 to 2023)
- Named one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas: Appellate by D Magazine (2010 to 2014, 2016 to 2017, 2019 to 2021)
- Named one of the Best Women Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine (2010)
Practice Areas
Admissions
- Texas
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, Eleventh, and Federal Circuits
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Publications
- Interlocutory Appeals, Practitioner’s Guide to Civil Appeals in Texas, Chapter 6 (Full Court Press, 2019; ALM, 2016, 2015, 2014)
- 2012, “Preservation of Charge Error: The Pattern Jury Charge Committee Wades in the Fray,” co-authored article, Appellate Advocate, Volume 25, page 11
- 2010, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 63, page 391
- 2009, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 62, page 951
- 2008, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 61, page 567
- 2007, “Special Appearance Appeals,” co-authored article, The Advocate, Texas, Volume 41, page 50
- 2006, “Equity Turned on Its Head: The Applicability of In Pari Delicto to a Bankruptcy Trustee,” co-authored article, Texas Lawyer
- 2006, “Court Carves Out Exceptions to Preferred Form of Jury Charge,” co-authored article, Texas Lawyer
- 2006, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 59, page 923
- 2005, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 58, page 501
- 2004, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 57, page 515
- 2003, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 56, page 1061
- 2002, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 55, page 655
- 2001, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 54, Page 1093
- 2000, “Post-Verdict Motions and Strategies,” co-authored article, State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Course
- 2000, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 53, page 617
- 1999, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 52, page 717
- 1998, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 51, page 669
- 1997, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” edited and co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 50, page 899
- 1996, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 49, page 653
- 1995, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 48, page 739
- 1994, “Appellate Practice and Procedure,” co-authored article, SMU Law Review, Volume 47, Page 641
- 1990, “Microbursts: Will Technology Ever Catch Up?,” article for Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Volume 56, page 263
Presentations
- June 2022, “Appellate Lawyers at Trial: Practical Tips for Avoiding Hidden Traps,” Dallas Bar Association, Trial Skills Section
- September 2015, “Using Moot Courts Effectively,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Practice Course, Austin, Texas