Atty. James Daniel Payne
Mr. Payne, a fifth generation Texan, is a seasoned trial attorney.
Business Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Dallas, TX · 35+ Years Experience
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. Serves clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About James Daniel Payne
- 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 Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases James Daniel Payne handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Dallas.
Personal Injury in Dallas
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 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Texas →
Business & Corporate Law in Dallas
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
James Daniel Payne is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →
Real Estate Law in Dallas
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
James Daniel Payne is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Texas →
Commercial Real Estate in Dallas
James Daniel Payne is one of 15,821 commercial re attorneys indexed nationally. Browse commercial re attorneys in Texas →
Construction Law in Dallas
James Daniel Payne is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Dallas
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 venue, 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.
Dallas Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Dallas-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Dallas or all attorneys in Texas.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Dallas Choose James Daniel Payne
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish James Daniel Payne's practice in the field of personal injury, business, real estate, commercial re, and construction.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
James Daniel Payne brings 35+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Texas, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, James Daniel Payne can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering personal injury, business, and real estate, James Daniel Payne can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Dallas
A Dallas-based practice means James Daniel Payne attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues James Daniel Payne Handles in Dallas
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters James Daniel Payne has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact James Daniel Payne directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find James Daniel Payne Online
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James Daniel Payne's Practice Areas & Specializations
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