Atty. James Daniel Payne

Atty. James Daniel Payne

Mr. Payne, a fifth generation Texan, is a seasoned trial attorney.

Dallas Dallas 35 yrs experience 35 year
Call (214) 979-7400 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About James Daniel Payne at a glance

James Daniel Payne is a Shareholder based in Dallas, Texas, practicing at Waddell Serafino Geary Rechner Jenevein Pc. They have 35+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1991. Their practice focuses on personal injury, business, real estate, commercial re, and construction. Admitted to practice in Texas (1991), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (1992), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas (1998), and U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (2000). Educated at Texas Tech University School of Law (J.D. Honors, 1991) and Baylor University (B.A. Political, 1988). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Mr. Payne, a fifth generation Texan, is a seasoned trial attorney
  • Mr. Payne has been the lead attorney for plaintiffs (no personal injury) and defendants in hundreds of lawsuits, and he has tried numerous jury, bench, and administrative cases to verdict
  • Mr. Payne regularly handles high stakes, multi-party litigation and has successfully defended clients against claims with an aggregate of liquidated damages exceeding one billion dollars
  • He also serves as a mediator in Dallas County
  • Mr. Payne is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Mr. Payne has been selected as a “Top Rated Lawyer” in “Litigation,” “Commercial Litigation,” and “Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources” by American Lawyer Media
  • Mr. Payne has been lead trial counsel in cases filed in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, Kansas, Wyoming, Missouri, Illinois, and New York, and he has handled lawsuits in many diversified areas including the following: Construction defects and accidents Oilfield accidents Insurance defense including wrongful death, medical malpractice, construction, products liability, DTPA, and trucking and automobile accidents Commercial litigation Soil, groundwater, and air contamination cases CERCLA, RCRA, and the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act Environmental citizens’ lawsuits Environmental enforcement actions Remediation of contaminated properties Toxic torts including asbestos, silica sand, benzene, pesticide, chemical and “black mold” exposure Condemnations Collections RECOGNITION AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell Selected as a “Top Rated Lawyer” in “Litigation,” “Commercial Litigation,” and “Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources” by American Lawyer Media

Practice Areas Explained

James Daniel Payne's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James Daniel Payne handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

James Daniel Payne is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Texas →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

James Daniel Payne is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

James Daniel Payne is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Texas →

Commercial Real Estate

James Daniel Payne is one of 16,000 commercial re attorneys indexed nationally. Browse commercial re attorneys in Texas →

Construction Law

James Daniel Payne is one of 40,689 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Texas

Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Dallas are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Dallas or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about James Daniel Payne

Where is James Daniel Payne's law office located?
James Daniel Payne's law practice is located in Dallas, Texas. The firm is Waddell Serafino Geary Rechner Jenevein Pc. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does James Daniel Payne handle?
James Daniel Payne focuses on personal injury, business, real estate, commercial re, construction. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
How long has James Daniel Payne practiced law?
James Daniel Payne has 35+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1991.
Where did James Daniel Payne go to law school?
James Daniel Payne earned their education at (J.D. Honors, 1991); (B.A. Political, 1988).
How can I contact James Daniel Payne for a consultation?
You can contact James Daniel Payne directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has James Daniel Payne received?
James Daniel Payne's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D. Honors
Texas Tech University School of Law
- 1991
B.A. Political
Baylor University
- 1988

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Texas
Admitted: 1991
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Admitted: 1992
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
Admitted: 1998
U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Admitted: 2000
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Admitted: 2000
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Admitted: 2007
U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted: 2008

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