Benchmark Arbitrator Al Ellis
Al Ellis
Of Counsel
Sommerman & Quesada, L.L.P.
3811 Turtle Creek B6ulevard, Suite 1400
Dallas, Texas 75219-4461
(214) 720-0720 I
(214) 720-0184 - fax.
al@textrial.com
Date of Birth: August 26, 1943 Spouse:. Sandra (Sandy) Lee Ellis Children: Joshua Kyle Ellis, Mike Fahey, Jennifer Fahey
Education:
South Oak Cliff High School Dallas, Texas; with honors--1961
University of Texas :
Arlington, Texas; with honors--1965
Southern Methodist University Law School
Dallas, Texas--1971'
Journal of American Law & Commerce Barristers
Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
Military Service:
United States Army Airborne/ Infantry 1965-1969 Honorable Discharge
Rank on Discharge-Captain Assignments:
Dominican Republic Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Republic of Vietnam
Practice:
Federal Courts in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; United States Supreme Court; Certified Specialist Civil and Personal Injury Trial Law--Texas Board of Legal Specialization; Certified Trial and Pre-Trial Advocate-National Board of Trial Advocacy. Tried over 175 jury trials. Mediator. lviartindale-Hubbell rated AV Preeminent for 35 years.
Professional Activities:
Community Outreach Facilitator, UNT Dallas School of Law (part time) International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
National Association' of Distinguished Counsel (Top One Percent)
Top American Lawyer (Top One Percent)
Lawyers of Distinction (Top Ten Percent)
Association of Attorney Mediators
Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism (Chair 2003-2005)
Dallas Bar Association (Board of Directors 1978, 1980-1988; Chairman of the Board, 1986;
Vice-President 1987 & 1988; President-Elect 1989; President 1990)
Diplomate, America11 Board of Trial Advocates (Secretary/Treasurer, 1998; President-Dallas Chapter, 1999;
National Board of Directors, 2009-2010)
W. M. "Mac" Taylor1 Jr., American Inn of Court
Dallas Trial Lawyers:Association (President 1977)
Texas Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Directors 1976-1983, 2005-2010)
Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation (2009-secured $1.2 million in new Fellow pledges)
Senior Life Fellow, American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation
Sustaining Life Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation (Board of Trustees 1990-1997)
Life Fellow, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Foundation
American Association for Justice Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Pro Bono College of State Bar of Texas (Charter Member)
College of State Bar (of Texas (Past Board of Directors)
J. L. Turner Legal Association
Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
Dallas Association of Asian American Lawyers
State Bar of Texas (Board of Directors 1991-1994; Executive Committee 1992-94; frequent lecturer and committee service)
Professional Activities (Past):
SBOT District 6 Grievance Committee
Chair, Dallas Bar Association Carter Work Project/Habitat for Humanity Task Force
Litigation Counsel or America (Trial Lawyer Honorary Society)
SMU Law School Trial Advocacy Instructor
TMCA Credentialed advanced Mediator
Editorial Committee; "Quest For Justice: Louis A. Bedford, Jr. And The Struggle For Equal Rights In Texas" (2008) :
Editorial Committee,( "Indomitable Sarah: The Life of Judge Sarah T. Hughes" (2006)
Board of Directors, Law Focused Education, Inc. (President, 1984-1991)
Texas Commission for Lawyer Discipline (1999-2005)
Board of Directors, Legal Services of North Texas (1976-1977; 1992-1994)
Board of Directors, Texas Legal Services Center
Board of Directors, Dallas Legal Hospice (Secretary, 1991)
Board of Directors, Texas Equal Access to Justice Foundation (IOLTA)
ABA Special Committee on Youth Education for Citizenship (1986-1996; Chair 1994-1996)
Dallas Bar Association Courts and Courts Facilities Department
Board of Directors, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law of Texas
Chair, Dallas Bar Association Task Force on Professionalism
Candidate for President-Elect, Texas Young Lawyers Association (1979)
Dallas Committee for a Qualified Judiciary (Secretary/Treasurer 1991-1994)
Guest Lecturer for Law Focused Education Teacher Training Summer Seminars 1975 to 1977, 1997
Community Activities (Past and Present):
Dallas Area Habitat (or Humanity Core Volunteer (1991-present)
Board of Directors, "Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity (1999-2002, 2005-2008)
Dallas Habitat for Humanity House Party Chair (2001-2005)
Habitat for Humanity Jimmy/Rosalynn Carter Work Project (Georgia, Mississippi, Viet Nam, Haiti)
Salesmanship Club (l\1ember 1981-Present; Camp Board 1983, 1987-1989, 1995)
Tournament Director Dallas Regional Golden Gloves Tournament, (1976-1996)
Past President, Dallas Council on Alcoholism
Past President, Dallas All Sports Association
Dallas Assembly (Past)
Leadership Dallas (1977-1978)
Member, City of Dallas Urban Rehabilitation Standards Board (1988-93)
Board of Trustees, Historic Preservation League
Mayor's Child Care Task Force
Mayor's Task Force on Adolescent Health and School Age Pregnancy
Dallas Motion Picture Classification Board (1985-1987)
City of Dallas Fund Solicitation Board (1987-1988)
Government and Law Magnet D.I.S.D. (Chairman, 1981-1987)
D.I.S.D. Police Academy Task Force
Dallas Jaycees 1972-.1980 (Board of Directors 1973-1974; Vice President 1974-1975; Legal Counsel, 1975-1976)
Jaycee Park Recreation Center Advisory Committee (1974-1976)
Board of Directors, Southwest Allied Youth (1976-1977)
Chair, Skyline High School Man and His Environment Advisory Committee
Advisory Council, Dallas Area Agency on Aging (1975-1977)
Goals for Dallas--Public Safety Committee
Fair Campaign Practices Committee (1973-1975)
D.I.S.D. Community Advisory Committee on Discipline
Awards & Honors:
2016-Morris Harrell 'professionalism Award - Dallas Bar Association and Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism
2016-Texas Center for Ethics and Professionalism/Dallas Bar Association Morris Harrell Professionalism Award 2015-"Best Lawyers;in Dallas" -ADR/Mediation- D Magazine
2014-Presidential Citation - Dallas Bar Association 2013-Dallas Habitat for Humanity Mary Brock Award
2013-Dallas Bar Association Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award
2013-University of Texas Arlington Department of Military Science Hall of Honor Inductee 2012-Dallas Minority Attorney Program Legacy Award
2011-University of Texas Arlington Distinguished Alumni 2011-Dallas Habitat for Humanity 20 Year Service Award
2010-Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award-College of the State Bar of Texas
2010-Dallas Lawyer Auxiliary Justinian Award for longstanding volunteer service
2009-J.L. Turner Legal Association C.B. Bunkley Community Service Award
2009-Dallas Habitat for Humanity Family Services Award
2007-Named as one:of 500 Leading Plaintiffs' Lawyers in America by Lawdragon
2007-Judith Sinclair Radman Award from William "Mac" Taylor Inn of Court for the "highest standards of public service and professionalism"
2004-DAYL Foundation Excellence in Profession Award
2003-2015-"The Best Lawyers in America"
2003-2015-"Super Lawyers - Texas Monthly Magazine
2003-Dallas Habitat for Humanity Hero
2003-Texas Bar Foundation Dan R. Price Memorial Award
2003-"Best Lawyers1i n Dallas" - D Magazine
2002-First Recipient;, "Al Ellis Award" by Dallas Minority Bars
Who's Who in Finance and Business, in the World, in American Law, in America, in the Southland Southwest, in Texas
1996-Nominee, United States President's Service Award
1996-Nancy Garms Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Focused Education
1996-Leon Jaworski Award for Teaching Excellence, Law Focused Education, Inc.
1995-KRLD News Radio 1080 Citizen of the Week, July 5, 1995 1995-Honorable Mention, Volunteer Center Lifetime Service Award
1994--State Bar of Texas Opportunities for Minorities in the Profession Commission Excellence in Diversity Award
1994--0utstanding Third Year Director, Board of Directors, State Bar of Texas
1994--Judge Sam Williams Local Bar Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to the State Bar of Texas
1993--Dallas All Sports Association Distinguished Service Award
1993--Dallas Business Journal's Community Spirit Award 1991--Dallas Business Journal/Who's Who in Law
1990--Legal Services of North Texas Outstanding Service Award
1990--Dallas Trial Lawyers Association Distinguished Community Involvement Award
1971-1989--Recipie11t of eight Certificates of Appreciation from Superintendent of Schools, D.I.S.D.
1983--Certificate of Appreciation for Exceptional and Distinguished Volunteer Service from Governor Mark White ;
1981--Community Council of Greater Dallas Certificate of Recognition 1979--Dallas Jaycee Distinguished Service Award
1978--Dallas Association of Legal Secretaries Boss of the Year 1977--Dallas County Young Lawyer of the Year
1977--0utstanding Young Men of America
1975--1976 Dallas Jaycees Hayward McMurray Award
1972--Wall Street Journal Award, SMU Law School
1971--Student Chief: Counsel, SMU Legal Clinic
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