Dallas Attorney, Mediator Deborah Hankinson Addresses Appellate Judges Conference

DALLAS, Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas attorney and mediator Deborah Hankinson, founder of the appellate law firm Hankinson LLP, recently was invited to participate in a panel discussion about how appellate lawyers can best frame the issues in their cases during the Appellate Judges Education Institute 2012 Summit in New Orleans.

Ms. Hankinson, a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas 5th District Court of Appeals in Dallas, joined the panel to discuss "Making Your Appellate Position More Appealing: The Importance of Framing the Issues."

Joining her on the panel were Judge Stephen Higginson of the 5^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Professor Judith Fischer of the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. The panel moderator was Deena Jo Schneider of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP.

"The summit presents a wonderful opportunity to delve into issues that are important to judges and appellate lawyers," Ms. Hankinson says. "It's a valuable experience, whether you're engaging in a discussion on a panel or listening as part of the group."

The summit is a combined effort of the Appellate Judges Education Institute at Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law and the American Bar Association's Judicial Division Appellate Judges Conference. The four-day program includes presentations from judges, attorneys and legal scholars from across the country. This year's program included a special session with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

In addition to her appellate practice, Ms. Hankinson handles complex, multi-party mediations for parties in litigation, as well as pre-suit conflict resolution. She also frequently serves as an arbitrator and is a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators.

Hankinson LLP, the preeminent civil appellate firm in the Southwest, provides clients with innovative legal insights and judicial perspective in all phases of litigation. The firm's attorneys work with trial teams to develop strategies designed to put a case in the best position before, during, and after trial. Dallas-based Hankinson LLP represents national clients, regional companies, governmental bodies, and individuals with trial and appellate matters, and offers mediation and arbitration services as well. Learn more about the firm at http://hankinsonlaw.com.

For more information on Ms. Hankinson's participation in the Appellate Judges Education Institute 2012 Summit, please contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 or [email protected].

SOURCE Hankinson LLP