Ms. Blakeley has experience representing a wide range of clients on a variety of legal matters.  From international corporations to local sub-contractors, she is involved at every stage of litigation representing both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court.   She carefully evaluates potential claims and gives her clients straightforward advice on the risks and benefits associated with litigation, including the ever-important impact on a company’s bottom line.  Ms. Blakeley’s experience working for an international firm, a regional litigation firm and a litigation boutique enables her to deploy big-firm strategies with small firm practicality.

Ms. Blakeley takes the time to truly understand her client’s business and works to find creative and cost-effective ways to reach a favorable result in a timely manner.  She understands the disruption and distraction that litigation can be, especially for a small business and approaches litigation with the perspective of both attorney and entrepreneur. Her career prior to law school as a public relations and sports marketing professional for the fourth largest company in the Metroplex also adds unique insight and valuable know how to her legal practice.

Representative Matters & Clients

• Representation of “big three” automaker and world’s second largest Japanese automaker in complex nationwide class action.
• Representation of national real estate developer based in Dallas on a number of claims and issues associated with development of a luxury high rise and commercial office building.  Regularly reviewed contracts and supplier agreements.
• Served as outside general counsel for Plano-based health product manufacturer in complex consumer fraud class action in California federal district court.
• Defense of national surety companies on cases arising from surety and fidelity bond breaches.
• Representation of nation’s largest home builder in a number of construction defect cases.
• Defended custom home builder in breach of contract case and handled a number of mechanic’s liens.
• Represented plaintiff in partnership divorce for local development company.
• Represent Plaintiff, a Dallas-based media company, in complex contract and fraud case in federal court against a number of out-of-state entities and individuals.

Education

J.D. Southern Methodist University Deadman School of Law 

• Dean’s List for multiple terms
• Recipient of the Don. E Smart Excellence in Writing Award 2004
• SMU Student Association, Director of Events/Speakers 2002-2003
• SMU Tax Clinic 2003; SMU Christian Legal Society

B.S., Political Science

University of North Texas

• Dean’s List, Mortarboard Honor Society
• Chancellor’s Advisory Board, NT40 (top 40 student leaders at UNT)
• Congressional Intern for U.S. Rep. Dick Armey
• Greek Woman of the Year, Producer and Host of G.T.V., and News Anchor – KNTV & KNTU

Admissions & Publications

Licensed to practice before all state courts of Texas
Licensed to practice before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
Paper/presentation of Beyond the Bond to Surety Claims Institute, Spring 2007
Co-Author of Texas chapter in Performance Bond Manual, American Bar Association 2006

Professional Affiliations

State Bar of Texas
Dallas Bar Association
American Bar Association

Community / Family