Client_News

Dallas Business Journal

A high-profile addition to Dallas-based Godwin Ronquillo PC gives the law firm known for tough litigation another dimension.

Former state district court judge Marilea Lewis will join the firm July 1 to lead its five-attorney family law section. She'll also be heavily involved in bolstering the firm's arbitration and mediation practice in family law, as well as the civil and commercial law areas. Lewis' addition and her arbitration/mediation role won't soften the firm's tough litigation stance, but it will add to its abilities to represent its clients outside the courtroom as well as in front of a judge and jury, said Marcos G. Ronquillo, managing shareholder and chief operating officer.

Her addition comes as companies are increasingly moving toward binding arbitration to resolve employer-employee litigation and commercial contract disputes, he said. Most cases are required to go through mediation before a trial date is set, he added.

"This will be another opportunity to expand our client services and meet the demand that our clients have when it's appropriate and necessary to provide an alternative dispute resolution capability," Ronquillo said. "We're taking advantage of a skill set that's been handed to us."

Godwin Ronquillo is known for its representation of Fortune 500 and middle-market firms in contentious, high-risk, high-profile cases throughout the country. Most recently, Halliburton Energy Services Inc. selected Donald E. Godwin, chairman and CEO of Godwin Ronquillo, to serve as its lead trial lawyer in litigation resulting from the BP oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico.

Godwin Ronquillo attorneys Donald Godwin and Marcos Ronquillo in Dallas Business Journal article

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Lewis, a board certified mediator in general and family practice, said "there is definitely a need for mediation and arbitration in all phases of litigation."

"Certainly it may not resolve all the issues between the litigants, but it may very well narrow the issues, which saves both the litigants money and the court's time," Lewis said. "So it's very beneficial."

Her main role at Godwin Ronquillo, she stressed, will be heading the family law section. Lawyers in the specialty handle divorce, annulment, property settlements, parental responsibility orders, child support and alimony awards, prenuptial agreements and other family related issues.

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The firm has 55 attorneys, with 49 in Dallas and six in its Houston office. The firm has hired more than 25 lawyers between its Dallas and Houston offices since the beginning of the year.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/print-edition/2011/06/24/godwin-ronquillo-expands-arbitration.html

© 2011 American City Business Journals, Inc.