Kelly C. Walker
Top rated Estate & Trust Litigation attorney in Dallas, Texas
Staubus | Blankenship | Legere | Walker PLLC
Practice areas: Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2002
Education: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2017 Call today:
214-833-5356
Staubus | Blankenship | Legere | Walker PLLC
8150 N Central ExpySuite 850
Dallas, TX 75206 Visit website
Kelly C. Walker, an accomplished attorney at Staubus | Blankenship | Legere | Walker PLLC, in Dallas, Texas, navigates the intricate waters of estate litigation and trust disputes. Her practice encompasses power of attorney conflicts and representation for both trust beneficiaries and trustees.
Driven by a passionate dedication to her clients, Ms. Walker skillfully navigates them through every phase, from the initial pre-trial preparations to the intense courtroom confrontations and, if necessary, into the appellate process. Her broad experience working alongside executors, guardians and proposed wards showcases her talent for advocating her clients' interests in diverse situations, always prioritizing their legal goals.
Ms. Walker's academic journey began at Trinity University in San Antonio, where she double majored in communication and political science. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. During her law school years, she excelled in mock trial and moot court competitions, both locally and nationally, securing her a place in The Order of Barristers – a prestigious honor for top graduates in courtroom advocacy.
Since obtaining her law license in Texas in 2002, Ms. Walker has explored various facets of civil litigation, yet her true passion lies in estate and trust disputes, as well as guardianship matters. From the outset of her career, she has served as a certified attorney ad litem appointed by the courts. Among her many accolades, she was named one of the best lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine in 2017.
Beyond her legal pursuits, Ms. Walker has been an active member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church for 30 years.
Practice areas
Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Estate Planning, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills
- 70% Estate & Trust Litigation
- 30% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 2002, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.dallasprobateandtrust.com/the-attorneys/kelly-c-...
Bar / Professional Activity
- Dallas Probate Bar Section
- Collin County Bar Association, 2024
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Trucking litigation--personal injury--Won Defense verdict, 2013
- Trucking litigation personal injury--Won Defense verdict, 2014
- Creditor suing Estate for $1.5M--Won--Defense Verdict plus award of Estate's attorneys' fees, 2018
- Creditor suing Estate after eviction; Won at JP Trial; Won Directed Verdict in Dist Court; Affirmed by Court of Appeals, 2014
- Will contest--WON, 2014
- Estate Partition Trial--Won at trial and on appeal, 2004
- Creditor suing Estate for $2M--WON directed verdict for Estate, 2018
- Property owner suing construction company for $13M in remediation--WON- defense verdict, 2018
- Early summary of trial experience: First Solo jury trial: 68th Judicial District Court, Dallas County: Rep. Plaintiff in case involving fraud, real estate fraud, breach of contract; Plaintiff's verdict for $200,000 in damages, exemplary damages and attorneys fees; Handled case solo from initial DTPA letter through judgment. Solo jury trial: The Probate Court, Dallas County; Rep. Defendant in contested guardianship involving capacity and asset allocation; Obtained directed verdict after four days of trial testimony; Award of attorneys fees and costs pending. Solo bench trial: County Court at Law No. 1, Dallas County; Rep. Plaintiff in case involving breach of a mineral lease agreement; Plaintiff's verdict for $100,000 in damages and attorneys fees; Handled case solo from filing of petition through judgment. Solo bench trial: County Court at Law No. 2, Denton County; Rep. Defendant in case involving claims of conversion, conspiracy and breach of commercial lease agreement; Defendant's verdict plus award of attorneys fees. Solo bench trial: Justice of Peace Court, Dallas County; Rep. Defendant construction company against breach of contract claim; Defendant's verdict plus award of attorneys fees. Solo bench trial: Justice of Peace Court, Dallas County; Rep. Plaintiff landlord in breach of lease agreement and FED action; Plaintiff's verdict for damages, attorneys fees and eviction of tenant. Solo bench trial: Justice of Peace Court, Dallas County; Rep. Defendant real estate partnership and management company for breach of contract; Limited plaintiff's recovery to a fraction of the damages sought. Solo bench injunction hearing: 191st Judicial District Court, Dallas County; Rep. Defendant individual in injunctive proceeding for slander and conversion; Defeated TRO and injunction; obtained sanctions against plaintiff for filing. First chair injunction hearing: 160th Judicial District Court of Dallas County; Rep. Plaintiff for conversion, constructive trust, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud; TRO granted; Injunction entered against Defendant to prevent transfer of assets. Second chair bench trial: District Court, Hill County; Rep. Plaintiff in injunction action involving real estate fraud, breach of contract, and conspiracy in $4 million business deal; Obtained injunctive relief and settled at mediation favorably for client. Second chair bench trial: 160th Judicial District Court, Dallas County; Rep. multiple defendant partnerships against TRO and injunction involving claims of breach of partnership agreement and breach of fiduciary duty; Case resolved at mediation with buy/sell agreement for $10 million in partnership shares. Second chair bench trial: Probate Court No. 3, Dallas County; Rep. Contestant in case involving breach of fiduciary duty claims and partition of real estate Contestant's verdict for damages and removal of executor; affirmed on appeal. Second chair bench trial: 141st Judicial District Court, Tarrant County; Rep. Defendant lending institution in case involving constructive trust and breach of contract; Plaintiff's verdict but no award of damages, 2004
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified as Attorney Ad Litem and Guardian Ad Litem in the State of Texas; 2002-present, 2002
Pro bono / Community Service
- Certified and court appointed attorney ad litem in guardianship cases to represent a Proposed Ward and represent unknown heirs in estate litigation.
- Member, St. Andrew United Methodist Church
- DFW Pug Rescue
Educational Background
- Trinity University: Bachelor of Arts, May 1999; Dual Major: Communications and Political Science; Dean’s List, Honor Roll, Leadership Council; Law and Government semester in Washington, D.C. at American University
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Presenting on the intersection between the Estates Code and Wrongful Death Litigation, Presenter at 2020 North Texas Probate Bench Bar Conference, Intersection between the Estate and Wrongful Death Litigation, 2019
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Selected speaker for 2020 North Texas Probate Bench Bar Conference, 2019
Honors
- Selected by peers as one of Dallas's best lawyers, D Magazine Best in Dallas, D Magazine, 2017
- Thomson Reuters “Texas Rising Star” in 2011 and 2012 and then from 2014-2017
- Thomson Reuters Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine, 2021 to 2024
- National Order of Barristers: Top 10 individual oral advocates graduating from the SMU Dedman School of Law in 2002., Order of Barristers, 2002
Industry Groups
- Fiduciary Litigation
- Guardianships
- Trust Contests
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2021 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2017
