Mary Ellen P. Smith

Mary Ellen P. Smith
Associate
Email: maryellen@attorneycook.com

Mary Ellen P. Smith began with the Firm as a Clerk and immediately joined the firm upon her graduation from Southern Methodist University Law School in 2003. Mary Ellen was licensed to practice law in Texas in November 2003.  Prior to attending SMU law Mary Ellen attended the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated in 2000 with a Business Honors degree.  Mary Ellen is a Dallas native and a graduate of Highland Park High School. 

Mary Ellen practices primarily in the area of Collections and Commercial litigation, including claims for tortious interference with contract, fraud, deceptive trade practices, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, warranty disputes, performance issues,  indemnification issues and construction liens.

Representative Matters:

• Representation of holder of judgment against debtor in case where debtor argued that the judgment was not valid.  Case tried to a jury.  Verdict in favor of our client on all counts and all relief requested was awarded.

• Representation of national health insurance company in collecting unpaid premiums on group health benefits against large employers.

• Representation of nationwide seller of turf and grass products against subcontractors that fail to pay for turf and grass products.

• Representation of a number of large local construction firms in the filing of liens and lawsuits to collect unpaid bills and retainers.

• Representation of judgment holder in garnishment and turnover actions resulting collection of the full amount due plus interest. 

• Representation of small business in dispute regarding labor provided, obtain judgment, execute on land owned by judgment debtor.

• Repetition of food supplier in a variety of disputes regarding payment for supplies resulting in settlements, judgments and the sale of nonexempt property.

• Representation of pharmaceutical company in large scale collection in Southwest Region in both pre and post-judgment matters.

• Representation of individual defendants accused of failing to pay past debts resulting in counterclaims under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Fair Debt Collection Act.

• Representation of debt collectors in accused of violating the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Fair Debt C