Dawn Estes
Practice Areas
Commercial/Business Litigation
Electronic Discovery and Document Retention
Internet and Computer Technology
Personal Injury
Arbitration/Mediation/ADR
Practice Emphasis
For almost 20 years, Dawn's practice has focused on trial work, managing and resolving sophisticated disputes on behalf of a variety of clients in claims involving a wide range of litigation topics. She has tried cases in both state and federal courts throughout Texas, serves as a court-appointed mediator, and is a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Arbitrators.
Dawn has experience and expertise in the following areas:
- Trade secret and proprietary information misappropriation
- Breach of contract and breach of warranty claims
- Asset securitizations relating to mortgage backed securities
- Website development contracts
- Multi-level marketing distributorship disputes
- Employee theft and fraud
- Insurance bad faith disputes involving disability and life insurance policies
- Software and technology performance disputes
- Temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions
- Product liability
- Negligence
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Shareholder actions
- Tortious interference with contract
- Negligent misrepresentation and fraud
- Distributor agreements
- Slander
- Deceptive Trade Practice Act claims
Dawn has additional expertise in litigation involving e-commerce, Internet and computer technology law, including issues of software performance, development disputes, domain name issues, cybersmear efforts, e-commerce ventures and Website development issues.
Education
J.D., St. Mary's University School of Law (1989)
- Associate Editor, Law Journal
B.A., Southern Methodist University, cum laude (1986)
Prior Professional Experience
Partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell, Dallas (1997-2008)
Associate, Gardere & Wynne, Dallas (1989-97)
Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Professional Memberships
Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, State Bar Committee on Administration of Rules of Evidence
- Subcommittee Chair, Technology Committee
Member, Dallas Committee for a Qualified Judiciary
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Life Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation
Fellow, Dallas Young Lawyers Association Foundation
Sustaining Member, Association of Attorney Mediators
Professional Achievements
Recognized, Texas Super Lawyer, as published in Texas Monthly (2003-2008)
Recognized, "Top 50 Women Lawyers in Texas," as published in Texas Monthly (2006)
Recognized, Lawdragon 500 "New Stars New World," Lawdragon Magazine (2006)
Recognized, "Best Lawyers Under 40," D Magazine (2002)
Adjunct Professor, Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law
Community Activities
Chair, Board of Directors, Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (2006-2008)
Member, President's Advisory Council, Dallas Center for the Performing Arts
Volunteer Mediator, Dispute Mediation Services, Dallas
Participant, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, North Texas Legal Services
Graduate, Leadership Dallas, Class of 2001
Sustaining Member, Lakewood Service League
Member, Leadership Dallas Alumni Association
Member, Northaven United Methodist Church
Band Member, Second Hand Noise (all-lawyer band)
Publications
Some of Dawn's publications include:
"Electronic Evidence and Discovery: It's a Whole New World," Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, University of Houston Law Foundation CLE (2007)
"Electronic Evidence and Discovery: The Law of Electronic Discovery," Advanced Evidence and Discovery Course, University of Houston Law Foundation CLE (2007)
"Spam, Marketing and Pop-up Ads," 16th Annual Computer and Technology Law Institute, University of Texas (May 29, 2003)
"Spam, Spam and More Spam," 5 No. 7 E-Commerce L. Rep. 5 (May 2003)
