Officers and Council Members - State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section

Officer Bios

Yolanda Eisenstein is a solo practitioner with an animal law practice in Dallas. She represents clients in animal-related matters including dangerous dogs, deceptive trade practices, contract disputes, estate and emergency planning for pets, transactional work, and wrongful death. She is co-chair of the international law subcommittee of the ABA TIPS Animal Law Committee and a board member of the Texas Humane Legislation Network. She donates her time on pro bono animal cases and animal welfare issues.

Eisenstein graduated with honors from SMU Dedman School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico. Prior to starting her own animal law practice, Eisenstein was legal director for an international human rights organization where she represented political asylum seekers, victims of international human trafficking, and victims of domestic violence.

Randy Turner has been practicing law for almost 30 years and is a partner in Turner and McKenzie in Fort Worth, Texas. He is board certified in personal injury law and civil trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; and a certified civil trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Turner regularly represents rescue groups, humane societies, and animal rights activists in civil and criminal cases and is a frequent lecturer on animal law. He has worked as a volunteer in orangutan conservation in Borneo, elephant conservation in Kenya, and black rhino conservation in Zimbabwe.

Sandra K. Patton is an attorney with the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission where she plans and organizes the legal activities of the commission. Based in Houston, her responsibilities include all aspects of legal work, including the preparation of opinions and briefs, enforcement of provisions, and prosecutions.

Sandra graduated from the University of Houston and has been licensed to practice since 1992. She volunteers her time with the Humane Society and the SPCA of Houston and is a foster mom for Homeless and Orphaned Pet Endeavors (HOPE), and all-foster, no kill animal adoption group.

Council Member Bios

Bill Davis practices appellate law at the office of the Solicitor General in Austin. He has published commentaries on animal law in The Federal Lawyer and the Lewis and Clark School of Law journal Animal Law. Bill was one of the presenters at the Fourth Annual Animal Law Institute hosted by the State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section. Bill graduated from Harvard Law School in 2000, where he was a student in the school's first class on animal law. He is a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund and Farm Sanctuary.

Amy Bures Danna, B.A., M.S., J.D., is licensed in Texas and practices with The Clary Firm, P.C., in the areas of Civil Litigation, Toxic Tort, Wills & Trusts, and Animal Law. Amy received a Bachelor of Arts degree (Chemistry) from Saint Vincent College, Pennsylvania, a Master of Science degree (Chemistry) from Auburn University, Alabama, and spent 13 years in analytical laboratory management with Georgia Gulf Corporation, ARCO Chemical Company and Lyondell Chemical Company. As a graduate of South Texas College of Law, Amy drew upon her years in the chemical industry to become a civil litigator specializing in manufacturing and chemical company defense. Amy also serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston Law Center, where she lectures on a full range of Animal Law topics. She has presented Animal Law educational seminars to diverse audiences including veterinarians, lawyers, rescuers, vegans, animal control officers, shelter administrators, and pet enthusiasts. She was appointed to the City of Houston/Harris County Task Force on Animal Issues, is an elected officer in the Animal Law Sections of the Houston Bar Association and State Bar of Texas, and served two consecutive terms as Chairperson of the State Bar of Texas Animal Law Section. Amy is a licensed private pilot, a certified fitness instructor, and an active volunteer for several non-profit animal-related organizations. Amy, her husband, and their rescued German Shepherd Dogs make their home in Kingwood, Texas. For more information, or to contact Ms. Bures Danna, visit www.ClaryFirm.com.

Dena Fisher is a solo practitioner in Houston, Texas. She practices almost exclusively criminal defense, including juvenile law. Dena is a former Harris County Assistant District Attorney, and she spent many years prior to law school working with Houston area juveniles as a probation officer. She does a small amount of pro bono animal related cases, mostly in the area of equine law. She is a member of Animal Legal Defense Fund, Texas Humane Legislation Network, Texas Wildlife Coalition, Fund for Horses and she does extensive volunteer work with Houston area animal organizations. Dena spends what little free time she does have with her two dogs, a yellow Lab named Tank and a Dalmation named Jeep, and her two cats, Shady Gray and Stretch. All of these wonderful animals are rescues.

Don Feare practices civil litigation and criminal defense in Arlington. He regularly handles a large volume of animal law cases, which are diverse in nature and include: an action against a gun club to prevent the sport shooting of pigeons; an in-depth review of the fatal shooting of Jabari, the lowland gorilla at the Dallas Zoo; and a variety of seizure and dog bite related cases. Don is a member of the board and the legislative committee of the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN). Don is a photographer and field contributor to Nature Photographer magazine, and writes about animal law and waterfowl behavior and diseases. In addition, he speaks to civic and animal groups throughout the country. Don lives on the sanctuary he established in the late 80’s known as the Wildflight Rescue Foundation. Don is also an Adjunct Professor at Texas Wesleyan School of Law teaching Animal Law.

Joel Hailey has a private practice of probate law in San Antonio. He has been actively involved in local animal causes as one who is sensitive to the suffering, exploitation, and abuse of animals in society. As former Chair of the Animal Law Section, Joel has continued to write articles and make presentations at the Section seminar. Joel is serving as the general coordinator of the 2007 Animal Law Institute.

Robert “Skip” Trimble is a Dallas, Texas native. He graduated with a degree in economics and law from Southern Methodist University. He worked for the United States Department of Justice and the law firm of Winstead, McGuire, Sechrest & Trimble prior to entering the real estate investment business. Skip became an animal advocate in 1992. Skip is involved in the following animal-related organizations and causes: the Animal Legal Defense Fund, the Texas Humane Legislation Network, the Animal Protection Institute, the Dallas Animal Shelter Commission, and the Metroplex Animal Coalition. Skip was also instrumental in the formation of the Animal Law Section of the State Bar of Texas. He also does considerable pro bono legal work for animal groups, including formation of non-profit corporations and obtaining their tax exempt status.

Dawn Reveley has practiced law for 20 years and is licensed in Texas and in Michigan. She has 12 years of complex commercial litigation experience. Dawn currently has her own practice, which she opened in October 1996. She practices business law and litigation representing small businesses, most of which are animal care providers. Dawn is one of the founding members of the Animal Law section, and she has spoken nationally on animal law & equine law issues and on the establishment of State Bar Animal Law Sections. She serves on the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and is active in animal-related businesses and hobbies. She has bred, trained and shown horses and golden retrievers for over 30 years.