Farrow-Gillespie Heath Wilmoth LLP

 Jessica Dunne is a partner at Farrow-Gillespie Heath Wilmoth. Jessica’s practice consists of probate, guardianship, and trust litigation, with a special interest in adoption matters. Jessica has successfully negotiated and resolved will contests, contested guardianship matters, allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, probate homestead issues, complex determinations of heirship, and common law spouse claims. In addition to representing individuals in various probate matters, Jessica has been appointed attorney ad litem in numerous heirship and guardianship proceedings in Dallas, Collin, and Kaufman Counties. 

 

As an adoptive parent, Jessica has both personal and professional experience in adoptions. She has represented adoptive parents in domestic adoptions (both private and agency), CPS adoptions, international adoptions, and interstate adoptions. She has also provided representation to birth parents in the voluntary relinquishment of parental rights. Jessica has uniquely combined her practice areas of probate and adoption in successfully representing an adoptee in asserting inheritance rights through a biological parent.

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Jessica is a problem-solver who aims to achieve her clients’ goals in the most expeditious and cost-effective manner. She prides herself in being both an advocate and a trusted counselor, as she helps clients navigate legal issues that typically involve significant sentiment and emotion. If a resolution cannot be reached, Jessica is experienced and ready to zealously represent her clients in court.

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Jessica graduated cum laude from Baylor Law School in 2011 where she was the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. During law school, Jessica competed in mock trial, moot court, and client counseling competitions. She received recognitions including Dean’s List, the “High A” in her Client Counseling and Family Law Advocacy & Procedure courses and was awarded both the Abner V. McCall Evidence Award and the Family Law Advocacy & Procedure Award. In the summer of 2009, Jessica clerked for the late Honorable Robert E. Price in Dallas County Probate Court Two. Prior to law school, Jessica attended Texas A&M University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008. Jessica is an alumni of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

 

Jessica’s professional memberships include the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Attorneys Serving the Community, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, and the State Bar of Texas. Jessica is also a sustaining member of the Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League where she has previously served on the board.

 

Jessica resides in Lake Highlands with her husband, Patrick Dunne, Jr., and her three children. Patrick is the Director of Investments for ALX Land Capital. Jessica and her husband are members of Watermark Community Church of Dallas where they serve in the adoption and foster care ministry. Jessica’s special interest in adoptions grew out of her own journey in adopting her son. For fun, Jessica enjoys riding her peloton, traveling to vineyards, and Texas Aggie football.

 

Ms. Dunne has been named to the list of Texas Super Lawyer “Rising Stars” (a Thomson Reuters service) for 2020-2023, which represents the top 2.5% of attorneys under the age of 40 in the State of Texas. She has also been named to D Magazine’s list of 2021 and 2022 Best Lawyers® under 40 and named to Best Lawyers’ ® list of Ones to Watch for 2021-2022.

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Practice Areas

• Probate, Guardianship, and Trust Litigation

• Probate Administrations

• Adoptions

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Education

• J.D., cum laude, Baylor Law School, 2011

• B.A., summa cum laude, Texas A&M University, 2008

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Professional and Community Affiliations

• Dallas Bar Association, Probate Section Member 

• Dallas Association of  Young Lawyers

• Attorneys Serving the Community

• Lake Highlands Junior Women’s League 

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