Virginia Hammerle

Bar / Professional Activity

• Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2020
• Accredited Estate Planner, 2003
• Admitted to the State Bar of Texas, 1982
• Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
• Admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit, 1990
• Admitted to the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1983
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2011
• Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2023
• Admitted to the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1988
• Member, Texas Association of Bank Counsel, 2023
• Member, Denton County Bar Association, Denton County Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section, 2023
• Member and Former Director of the  Denton County Bar Association, 2023

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Served as Guardian Ad Litem for the proposed Ward in a highly contentious guardianship case., 2026
• Served as third-party Dependent Administrator in contested probate case, 2026
• Served as mediator in several probate and business law cases., 2026
• Served as Ad Litem for a Ward in Texas Supreme court case.   , 2022
• Obtained settlement on behalf of 700 members in a class-action lawsuit against 4 builders and 3 title companies, 1987
• Obtained jury verdict and final judgment in theft of trade secrets case, representing employer.  Damages of $600,000 and permanent injunction, 2012
• Successfully opposed motion for summary judgment on behalf of mortgage loan originator in breach of contract action alleging damages in excess of $44 million and involving secondary market securitization of subprime mortgage loans, 2008
• Counsel, Reached successful resolution on behalf of Resolution Trust Corporation in multi-million dollar bank director fraud case, 1994
• Co-counseled guardianship case and obtained reversal of multi-million dollar judgment, 2007
• Co-Counsel in an $87 Million Dispute Involving A Mortgage Purchase And Servicing Agreement a Work-Out Of A $11 Million Loan In A Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Case

Representative Clients

• Represented financial institution as trustee of court-created management trust, 2026
• Served as Guardian Ad Litem and Applicant for Guardianship regarding Ward subject to elder exploitation., 2026
• American National Bank & Trust, 2026
• First State Bank, 2021

Transactions

• Settled a contentious probate matter with a Family Settlement Agreement, 2021
• Served as Guardian Ad Litem for ward suspected of being abused, 2025
• Drafted numerous trusts and estate planning documents, 2023

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Board Certified Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1995; re-certified in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015, 2020 and 2025, 2026
• Accredited Estate Planner by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils, 2012, 2026
• Ad Litem Certification by the Texas Supreme Court., 2026

Pro bono / Community Service

• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2023
• Drafted trusts and estate planning documents for complex and simple estates, 2025
• Founder, Highland Village Parks Foundation
• Community Representative to Children's Medical Center Palliative Care Committee
• The National Care Planning Council, Member. WealthCounsel, Member
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees - Trinity Medical Center
• Director of Dallas Children's Advocacy Center
• Director and President of the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club
• Past President, Highland Village Parks Foundation
• Director of Denton County Children's Advocacy Center
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Brookhaven Nursing Home

Educational Background

• University of Missouri - Columbia, B.S. in Finance, 1979

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• A weekly column explaining common and uncommon legal issues relevant to seniors and their families.  , Writer, Weekly LegalTalk Texas column, Dallas Morning News, General Public, 2026
• A Zoom presentation of the basics of Texas guardianship law., Speaker and Author, Guardianship 101, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Seniors, Families, Licensed Professionals, 2025
• A presentation of the law surrounding Texas Advanced Directives. , Speaker and Author, Live, Love and Die: Overview and Ethics of Advanced Directives, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Seniors, Families, Licensed Professionals, 2025
• Explaining how finance and estate planning work together., Speaker and Author, Finance for Seniors - Trusts and Other Tools, Dallas Public Library, Seniors, Families, Therapists, 2025
• A discussion of common estate planning tactics and documents., Speaker and Author, Wills, Dallas Public Library, Seniors, General Public, 2025
• Guardianship procedure explained., Author and Speaker, Guardianship, Dallas Public Library, Seniors, Families, Licensed Professionals, 2025
• A Zoom presentation regarding preparing for testimony, with a focus on confidentiality and basic courtroom tips., Author and Speaker, From Subpoenas to Testifying: Courtroom Tips for Families and the Professionals Who Serve Them, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Seniors, Families, Licensed Professionals, 2026
• A discussion of Texas wills and trusts, Author and Speaker, Wills and Trusts, Dallas Public Library, Seniors, 2026
• A Zoom presentation of the most important estate planning documents:  wills, durable power of attorney, medical power of attorney, HIPAA release, directive to physicians, designation of guardian, designation of burial agent., Author and Speaker, The Magnificent Seven, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Seniors, Families, Therapists, 2026
• A Zoom presentation on confidentiality and privilege regarding therapy and medical records of seniors., Author and Speaker, SHHH - It's a Secret, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Seniors, Licensed Therapists, Lawyers, 2026
• A Zoom presentation of legal issues that arise once a person is diagnosed with Dementia, Speaker and Author, The Tipping Point: Exploring the Pros and Cons of a Demential Diagnosis, North Texas Aging and Disability Services, Senior, Licensed Therapists, Lawyers, 2026
• Presentation regarding uncommon real estate issues in probate and estate planning., Speaker, Are you Titled or Just Entitled, Dallas County Probate Seminar, Law, 2026

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Recertified in Civil Trial Law by Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2025

Firm News (Newsletters)

• A monthly newsletter featuring columns authored by the Firm's attorneys and law firm news., Hammerle Morris Law Firm Newsletter, General Public

Honors

• Recipient, Hixson Award
• Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer for the 15th consecutive year, Texas Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2026
• Ranked “10”, AVVO, Avvo, 2026

Industry Groups

• Business Litigation
• Civil Litigation
• Estate Planning
• Guardianship
• Trust Litigation
• Trusts
• Will Contests
• Wills

“Virginia is truly one of the most intelligent and competent attorneys I've ever met. She works diligently, stays on top of changing laws, and is an inspiration in the field for women. Neither her integrity nor her skills are matched.”