Paula Fisette Sweeney

Top rated Medical Malpractice attorney in Dallas, Texas

Slack Davis Sanger LLP
Paula Fisette Sweeney
Slack Davis Sanger LLP

Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Products Liability; view more

Licensed in Texas since: 1981

Education: Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2003 - 2024

Slack Davis Sanger LLP

3500 Maple Avenue
Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75219 Visit website

Details

Paula Fisette Sweeney is widely acclaimed for her exceptional leadership in health care liability litigation. Recognized for her adept cross-examination techniques and proficiency in navigating intricate cases, she focuses on representing individuals in legal matters spanning medical malpractice, pharmaceutical malfeasance, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. As a partner at Slack Davis Sanger LLP in Dallas, Texas, she extends her services to residents across states and nationwide.

Peer review-rated as AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, Ms. Sweeney is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a personal injury trial law specialist. She is also a frequent speaker and invited lecturer, addressing legal, medical, nursing and various professional audiences throughout Texas and the United States.

A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers and The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Ms. Sweeney’s leadership roles include serving as past president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (1998), the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (1991) and TEX-ABOTA-Dallas (2000). Furthermore, she has demonstrated her commitment to the legal community by previously acting as a governor for the American Association for Justice and serving on the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas.

For more than two decades, Ms. Sweeney dedicated 15 years to the Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee. Her invaluable skill was instrumental in shaping pivotal initiatives, including the Supreme Court Task Force on Medical Malpractice Discovery and the Supreme Court Task Force on the Jury Charge. Notably, she was chair of the Chief Justice's Task Force on Judicial Selection. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she has received prestigious accolades such as the "Champion of Justice Award" from Texas Watch in 2022 and the Don Bowen Distinguished Lifetime Service Award from TTLA in the same year.

Further adding to her impressive list of honors, the Dallas Bar Association acknowledged Ms. Sweeney as the Trial Lawyer of the Year in 2013, and she was named a Legend of Trial Law by the DBA (2012). In 2019, she received the State Bar of Texas’ distinguished Gene Cavin Award for her lifetime achievement of supporting continuing legal education in Texas. Her accolades include the Texas Nurses Association Health Care Professional of the Year Award, the Alumna of Distinction from the University of Dallas and a consistent presence in D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas since 2001. Furthermore, she has been featured in Texas Lawyer’s "Extraordinary Women in Texas Law" (2008), named among the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas (2009) and has been included in The Best Lawyers in America since 1995.

Following the successful completion of her B.A. cum laude in Philosophy from the University of Dallas (1978), Ms. Sweeney promptly pursued her legal education at Dedman School of Law, Southern Methodist University, attaining her J.D. in 1981.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

 

Other Locations to Serve You:

Austin

6001 Bold Ruler Way
Suite 100
Austin, TX 78746

Fort Worth

100 Lexington Street
Suite 70
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Practice areas

Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Medical Devices, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Pharmaceutical, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death

  • 80% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
  • 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
  • 10% Personal Injury - Products: Plaintiff

First Admitted: 1981, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://www.slackdavis.com/attorneys/paula-sweeney/

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Director of the State Bar of Texas (1992-1995)
  • University of Dallas, Board of Trustees
  • President of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association (1998), 1998
  • Governor of the American Association for Justice (1990-1992)
  • President of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) – Dallas (2000)
  • President of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (1991)
  • SMU Dedman School of Law, Board of Law School Governors
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Abusive Treatment At Prison Wrongful Death Lawsuit, Leon Alfano, et al. v. Corrections Corporation of America and Autumn Miller, et al. v. Corrections Corporation of America
  • Pilot’s Negligent Visual Approach Results In Private & Small Plane Crash Lawsuit, Estate of Robinett v. Estate of Kinikin
  • Negligent Vehicle Use Results In Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawsuit, Leduc v. Oriental Building Services, Inc.
Representative Clients:
  • Sherry Yvette Robinett, et al. v. Latisha Wooten, et al. James Robinett was in an airplane piloted by Harvey Kinikin, Jr.  Both men were killed when Mr. Kinikin attempted an unsafe, visual approach under weather conditions requiring a more sophisticated instrument approach.  Slack & Davis attorneys Ladd Sanger and Paula Sweeney represented the plaintiffs in the winning (unanimous) jury verdict.
  • Rene Leduc v. Oriental Building Services, Inc. Rene Leduc, a baggage handler for American Airlines, severely injured his leg when he swerved to miss a pickup truck under the D-FW airport terminal. Slack & Davis represented the plaintiff in the winning jury verdict. It was the #7 Motor Vehicle verdict in Texas in 2012, according to the 2012 Top Texas Verdicts list, sponsored by Verdict Search and Texas Lawyer magazine.
  • Armstrong v. Brooks A young, married attorney suffering from curable lymphoma was nauseated from his chemo treatments and became dehydrated. He was admitted to the hospital where he was not sufficiently re-hydrated, coded and died. The defense accused him of committing suicide by secretly taking cardiac medications. The jury awarded a verdict to Paula’s clients, his wife and young daughters. (Paula initially handled claim while at a different law firm.)
  • Leon Alfano, et al. v. Corrections Corporation of America Autumn Miller, et al. v. Corrections Corporation of America These two cases were filed against Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) for violating inmates’ constitutional rights at Dawson State Jail. CCA was required to provide prisoners with reasonable access to medical care. In Alfano, a severely diabetic prisoner was denied access to medical care in the middle of the night. CCA failed to call for medical help and instead left her to die on a mattress on the floor outside the medical unit. In Miller, CCA ignored a pregnant inmate’s cries for help and locked her in a holding cell alone where she gave birth to her premature baby into a toilet. The baby, Gracie, died four days later. The facility is now being closed.
Special Licenses/Certifications:
  • Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Innocence Project (Montana), Founding Director
Honors/Awards:
  • Texas Watch’s Champions of Justice Award
  • AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 1995-present
  • TTLA 2021 Don Bowen Distinguished Service Award
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas (Tort Product and Medical Liability Litigation: Plaintiff), D Magazine, 2017
  • Trial Lawyer of the Year, Dallas Bar Association, 2013
  • Dallas 500 (most powerful business leaders in Dallas – Fort Worth), D-CEO Magazine, 2016
  • Legend of Trial Law, Dallas Bar Association, 2012
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas (Tort Product and Medical Liability Litigation: Plaintiff), D Magazine, 2016
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas (Tort Product and Medical Liability Litigation: Plaintiff), D Magazine, 2015
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas (Tort Product and Medical Liability Litigation: Plaintiff), D Magazine, 2018
Educational Background:
  • B.A. Philosophy, Cum Laude The University of Dallas
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • "Case Law Update," State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Malpractice Seminar, Santa Fe, NM, March 2022
  • "Women and the Law," State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting (Dallas) Panelist, June 2017
  • "Personal Injury Damages," State Bar of Texas, Damages in Civil Litigation Seminar, February 2018
  • "Jurors by Generation," State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Skills Seminar Panelist, New Orleans, February 2018
  • "Health Care Liability Case Law Update," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Medical Malpractice Seminar, March 2018
  • "Deposing the Difficult Witness," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Evidence & Discovery Seminar, Summer 2018
  • "Saving the Jury Trial," Panel, Dallas Bar Association, November 2018
  • "Statute of Limitations Under Chapter 74," Texas Trial Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, Medical Malpractice Seminar, December 2018
  • "The Intersection of Litigation and Gender," Dallas Women Lawyers Association, March 2019
  • "Case Law Update," State Bar of Texas Advanced Health Care Liability Seminar, March 2019
  • "Healthcare Liability Update," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Personal Injury Course, Summer 2019
  • "7 Med Mal Mega Trends," Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Meeting, November 2019
  • "Simplifying Complex Evidence," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Trial Strategies Panel, February 2020
  • "What you Absolutely, Positively Gotta Know About Ch 74," Texas Trial Lawyers Annual Meeting, November 2020
  • "Preparing for Virtual Trials," Virtual Seminar, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Trial Strategies," February 2021
  • "Case Law Update," Virtual Seminar, State Bar of Texas, Advanced Healthcare Liability Seminar, March 2021
  • "Winning at Deposition, Overcoming the Problem Witness," University of Texas Law CLE, April 2021
  • "Healthcare Liability Update," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, Summer 2021
  • "Case Law Update," Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Annual Meeting, November 2021
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Health Care Liability Course, “Case Law Update”, March 19, 2020, San Antonio, Presenter, Case Law Update, State Bar of Texas Advanced Health Care Liability Course, 2020
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Skills Course, “Presenting Complex Evidence”, New Orleans, LA, February 2020, Presenter, Presenting Complex Evidence, State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Skills Course, 2020
  • State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, Summer 2019, “Health Care Liability Update”, Presenter, Health Care Liability Update, State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, 2019
  • Texas Trial Lawyers’ Association Annual Meeting, November 2019, “Trends in Health Care Liability Litigation”, Presenter, Trends in Health Care Liability Litigation, Texas Trial Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, 2019
  • “The Perfect Storm: Strategies for Difficult Witnesses” panel presentation (State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Strategies Seminar, New Orleans, LA; February 18-19, 2016), 2016
  • “Case Law Update” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Torts Seminar; Santa Fe, NM; March 17-18, 2016), 2016
  • “Cross Examination of the Technical, Difficult or Uncooperative Witness” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Evidence and Discovery Seminar; April 7-8, 2016, at the Westin Galleria, Dallas, TX and May 19-20, 2016, at the Hyatt Hill Country Resort and Spa, San Antonio, TX), 2016
  • “Trial Lawyer Tips, Techniques and Observations By and For Women Litigators” (Dallas Trial Lawyers Association luncheon panel; April 2015), 2015
  • “Health Care Liability Update” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Seminar 2015), 2015
  • “Making and Responding to Daubert Challenges – Perspectives from a Civil Lawyer” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Course; July 2015), 2015
  • “Preparation and Trial of Medical Malpractice and Pharmacy Products Cases” (Montana Trial Lawyers Association Annual Summer Convention; August 2015), 2015
  • “Advanced Settlement – Why Your Case Won’t Settle” and “Case Law Update Mega Trends” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Torts Conference; March 2015), 2015
  • “Complex Evidence” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Strategies; February 2015), 2015
  • “Health Care Liability Update” (Texas College of Judicial Studies; May 2014), Presenter, Health Care Liability Update, Texas College of Judicial Studies, 2014
  • “Complex Litigation” (University of Montana School of Law; September 2014), 2014
  • “Screening Medical Negligence Cases in the Era of Ch. 74” (Dallas Trial Lawyers Association; January 2014), 2014
  • “Medical Malpractice Update: Themes and Mega-Trends” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Torts; March 2014), 2014
  • “Strategies for Dealing with Difficult Witnesses” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Trial Strategies; February 2014), 2014
  • “Women in the Courtroom” (Dallas Bar Association Tort & Insurance Practice Section; September 2014), 2014
  • Trial Advocacy College of Texas, Faculty Member (Texas Trial Lawyers Association; May 2014), 2014
  • “ABOTA Masters in Trial – Cutting Edge Cross Examination” (State Bar of Texas 30th Annual Litigation Update Institute; January 2014), 2014
  • “Cross Examination of the Difficult Witness” (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting; June 2014), 2014
  • “Dealing with the Difficult Attorney” (Dallas Bar Association Judiciary Committee Panel Discussion; June 2014), 2014
  • “Cross Examination” (Texas Trial Lawyers Association Advanced PI Seminar; December 2013), 2013
  • “Tales from the Crypt” (Texas Trial Lawyers Association Legends CLE; October 2013), 2013
  • “Medical Malpractice Update” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Personal Injury Seminar 2013), 2013
  • “Cross Examination” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, May 2013), 2013
  • “Tort Reform Update” (Baylor School of Law General Practice Institute, April 2013), 2013
  • “The Art and Practice of Cross Examination” (State Bar of Texas webinar, January 2013; co-presented with Mike Davis), 2013
  • “The Seventh Amendment – What’s Left of it in Texas” (Texas Trial Lawyers Association Best Kept Trial Secrets, February 2013), 2013
  • “Cross Examination” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, April 2013), 2013
  • “Case Law Update” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Torts, March 2013), 2013
  • “Cross Examination” (State Bar of Texas Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course)
  • “Health Care and Medical Products Liability Update” (Recognized as “Best Continuing Legal Education Paper” from the State Bar of Texas and “Best Non-Judicial Article” from the Texas Judicial Council)
Other Outstanding Achievements:
  • Texas Monthly, “The Crusader” (Recognizing work on behalf of malpractice victims)
  • Featured in the publications Best Lawyers in America, Who’s Who in American Law, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and in the Million Dollar Arguments series
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers, Fellow (2006-2021)
  • D Magazine, 2015 Best Lawyers in Dallas (Tort Product and Medical Liability Litigation: Plaintiff)
  • Texas Lawyer, “Extraordinary Women in Texas Law” (2008)
  • State Bar of Texas’ prestigious Gene Cavin Award for lifetime achievement in supporting Continuing Legal Education in Texas (2009)
  • Super Lawyers (a 15-plus year honoree), 2001-present
  • International Society of Barristers, Fellow (2010-2021)
  • D-CEO Magazine, 2016 Dallas 500 (most powerful business leaders in Dallas – Fort Worth)
  • Dallas Bar Association, “Legend of Trial Law” (2012)
  • University of Dallas, Alumna of Distinction
  • Common Cause Texas, Defender of Democracy Award (In recognition of work to protect the citizens of Texas from the lobby-driven onslaught against their right to access the courts; 2003.)
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • Paula Sweeney: Trial Lawyer of the Year
  • Dallas Bar Association, “Trial Lawyer of the Year” (2013)
  • Texas Nurses’ Association, Health Care Professional of the Year award

These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.

“One of the best lawyers in the country.”

“The absolute best attorney in Texas for medical malpractice cases.”

Office location for Paula Fisette Sweeney

3500 Maple Avenue
Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75219

Phone: 214-528-8686

Articles about Paula Fisette Sweeney by Super Lawyers

The Crusader

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