GORDON & SYKES, LLP
Legal Representation for Estates, Trusts, Businesses and Individuals
GORDON & SYKES, LLP
Legal Representation for Estates, Trusts, Businesses and Individuals
The experienced attorneys at the Fort Worth, Texas, law firm of Gordon & Sykes, LLP, represent estates, corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients throughout Texas and across the nation in business, commercial law, civil litigation, estate planning and probate, estate and trust litigation, elder law, guardianships, real estate transactions and other matters. The Firm provides the proven guidance of highly experienced and well respected attorneys.
We provide a high quality and personalized service designed to create custom legal solutions for clients ranging from trustees, executors, corporations, financial institutions and real estate developers to architects, engineers, independent contractors and individuals and families. Our clients rely on a level of representation that has been recognized by peer organizations such as Martindale-Hubbell* and Super Lawyers as being of the highest quality and ethics.
When you hire Gordon & Sykes, LLP, you work directly with a lawyer that brings decades of practical, useful and proven experience to your legal matter, no matter how complex or sophisticated.
Providing Effective and Efficient Counsel
The Firm has relied with great success for years on the benefits of referrals, its best advertising coming from existing satisfied clients. The Firm continues to grow and expand as it diligently provides business and estate counsel to its clients both in and outside the state of Texas.
You should be satisfied that your lawyer has the right resources, knowledge and work ethic to fully resolve your legal issue. When you employ our attorneys in any of our practice areas - including business, commercial law, banking, real estate law, trust litigation, probate, estate planning and more - you get:
-Experienced counsel
-Tireless advocacy
-Practical and dependable advice
-The resources to pursue your needs
-Custom solutions
-Personalized service
-Results-oriented approach
We take on the issues that are important to you or your business. Our focus is on understanding and serving your legal needs, whether in managing an estate or trust, creating a long-term vision for your corporate formation, resolving a contract dispute or developing an effective litigation strategy for a contested estate or trust matter.
Put Experience and Proven Client Service on Your Side
Contact the experienced attorneys of Gordon & Sykes, LLP, for prompt, efficient and cost-effective representation across a broad range of probate, commercial and civil legal matters.
*Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.
Main Office
1320 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DR, SUITE 806
FORT WORTH, TX 76107
888-531-7856 / 817-717-1048
ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS SERVING TARRANT AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES
-Do you need help writing your will or creating a trust?
Are you concerned about a will contest or heirs fighting over your assets?
-Do you have a family business or ranch you want to protect once you pass away?
-Do you want to know about ways to avoid probate?
-Are you wondering if you should name your children as executors of your estate?
-Are you concerned about asset protection?
If you have asked yourself any of these questions, please contact the experienced Tarrant County estate planning lawyers at Gordon & Sykes, LLP, today.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Estate and Probate Attorneys
Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Other Estate Planning Documents
We specialize in handling estate planning, estate administration, probate, trusts, guardianships (sometimes referred to as conservatorships) and probate litigation and trust litigation. We put professional and personalized strategies to work to help you and your family create sustainable wealth transfer solutions that focus on cost-effectiveness, asset protection, and lawful tax minimalization to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Rely on us for counsel, guidance and representation in areas of:
-Wills
-Trusts
-Living wills
-Revocable and irrevocable trusts
-Disability planning
-Medicaid planning, including Miller trusts
-Powers of attorney
-Guardianships
-Advance health care directives
-Estate tax planning, including gift tax planning
-Business succession planning
-Charitable planning
-Life insurance trusts
-Probate
A Complete Estate Planning and Probate Practice
We are here to answer questions and find creative solutions for any estate planning issue you present to us. From how to minimize estate taxes or gift taxes to how to create a trust for property that is located in another state in order to avoid probate in multiple jurisdictions, we can help you find viable options that meet your needs and protect your family and assets for the future.
We also provide planning advice for IRAs, insurance policies, bank accounts, annuities, and other nonprobate assets.
Contact a Dallas-Fort Worth Attorney for Will Creation and Estate Planning Services
In order to assist you in preparing an estate plan, we ask that you complete an estate planning questionnaire and bring it with you to your initial appointment.
Karen H. Gordon has 30 years of experience and knowledge of business, estate planning, probate and guardianship law. From 1978 until 2002, she was a lawyer at a prominent Fort Worth law firm. She and Dan W. Sykes formed the law firm, Gordon & Sykes, L.L.P. in June 2002. She is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate Law.
Ms. Gordon's areas of expertise include a broad range of business transactions, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, nonprofit corporate law, preparation of contracts and business policies.
She regularly represents bank trust departments and other fiduciaries on matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. In addition, she frequently advises multimillion-dollar corporations regarding corporate issues, contracts, employment issues, business agreements and business dispute resolution. A significant amount of her practice includes representing beneficiaries in estate and trust litigation matters. She also counsels persons with disabilities needing legal advice in connection with guardianships, elder law issues, powers of attorneys and living trusts as well as preparing wills, trusts and other estate planning and wealth transfer instruments.
A 1975 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts degree, with honors. In 1978, she earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She is married to Fort Worth Attorney James C. Gordon and has two children, Sarah and Claire Gordon.
Areas of Practice
-Probate, Trust and Business Transactions
-Guardianships
-Non-profit Organizations
-Business Organizations
-Contracts
Certified Legal Specialties
-Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1987
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1978
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Education
-Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
--J.D. - 1978
--Law Journal: Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Editor, 1977 - 1978
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A. - 1975
--Honors: With Honors
--Major: Government
Honors and Awards
-Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County, Texas, 1986
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2004 - 2005
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2008
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2009
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2012
Professional Associations and Memberships
-State Bar of Texas, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Director, 1987 - 1988
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Director, 1991 - 1995
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1982
-National Council of Planned Giving, Member
Pro Bono Activities
-President, Kids Who Care, 2003 - 2004
-City of Fort Worth - Charter Review Commission, 1992
-Board Member, Gill Children's Services
-Camp Fire Boys and Girls First Texas Council, Director and Vice-President, 1980 - 1986
-First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
-City of Fort Worth Sesquicentennial Commission
-Jewel Charity Ball
-Fort Worth Teen Court - Chair
-Board Member, Imagination Celebration
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Southern Methodist University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1978
Karen H. Gordon has 30 years of experience and knowledge of business, estate planning, probate and guardianship law. From 1978 until 2002, she was a lawyer at a prominent Fort Worth law firm. She and Dan W. Sykes formed the law firm, Gordon & Sykes, L.L.P. in June 2002. She is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate Law.
Ms. Gordon's areas of expertise include a broad range of business transactions, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, nonprofit corporate law, preparation of contracts and business policies.
She regularly represents bank trust departments and other fiduciaries on matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. In addition, she frequently advises multimillion-dollar corporations regarding corporate issues, contracts, employment issues, business agreements and business dispute resolution. A significant amount of her practice includes representing beneficiaries in estate and trust litigation matters. She also counsels persons with disabilities needing legal advice in connection with guardianships, elder law issues, powers of attorneys and living trusts as well as preparing wills, trusts and other estate planning and wealth transfer instruments.
A 1975 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts degree, with honors. In 1978, she earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She is married to Fort Worth Attorney James C. Gordon and has two children, Sarah and Claire Gordon.
Areas of Practice
-Probate, Trust and Business Transactions
-Guardianships
-Non-profit Organizations
-Business Organizations
-Contracts
Certified Legal Specialties
-Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1987
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1978
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Education
-Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
--J.D. - 1978
--Law Journal: Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Editor, 1977 - 1978
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A. - 1975
--Honors: With Honors
--Major: Government
Honors and Awards
-Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County, Texas, 1986
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2004 - 2005
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2008
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2009
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2012
Professional Associations and Memberships
-State Bar of Texas, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Director, 1987 - 1988
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Director, 1991 - 1995
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1982
-National Council of Planned Giving, Member
Pro Bono Activities
-President, Kids Who Care, 2003 - 2004
-City of Fort Worth - Charter Review Commission, 1992
-Board Member, Gill Children's Services
-Camp Fire Boys and Girls First Texas Council, Director and Vice-President, 1980 - 1986
-First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
-City of Fort Worth Sesquicentennial Commission
-Jewel Charity Ball
-Fort Worth Teen Court - Chair
-Board Member, Imagination Celebration
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Southern Methodist University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1978
Dan Sykes brings more than 30 years of experience to the firm. Mr. Sykes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1975, and has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tarrant County, the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sykes has represented numerous clients in business and commercial transactions, with a special emphasis in real estate, franchising, and commercial and real estate lending. Real estate clients include developers, urban and rural landowners, grantors of conservation easements, and commercial landlords and tenants. His commercial experience ranges from the sale and acquisition of companies (large and small), to organizational and planning issues for corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, to representation of both start-up franchisors and those with established national and international franchise systems. He was a shareholder and director with an established Fort Worth law firm prior to joining Karen Gordon in forming Gordon & Sykes, LLP in June 2002.
Mr. Sykes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 from Austin College. He followed that with a law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1975, where he served as a director of the Legal Research Board. Mr. Sykes has been active in the Fort Worth community as an elder, trustee and Mission Committee Chair at First Presbyterian Church, a board member in the Fort Worth chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens and Girls, Inc., and as board president of the Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County. His wife, Jane, has served and continues to serve the community in too many ways to mention. They have been married for more than 35 years, have two married children and are proud grandparents.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Real Estate
-Banking and Finance
-Franchising
-Business Organization
-Business and Commercial
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1975
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1988
-U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D. - 1975
--Honors: Phi Delta Phi
--Honors: Legal Research Board
--Honors: With Honors
-Austin College, Sherman, Texas
--B.A. - 1972
--Honors: Alpha Chi
--Major: Political Science - Business Administration
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Member
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
The University of Texas School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1975
Dan Sykes brings more than 30 years of experience to the firm. Mr. Sykes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1975, and has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tarrant County, the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sykes has represented numerous clients in business and commercial transactions, with a special emphasis in real estate, franchising, and commercial and real estate lending. Real estate clients include developers, urban and rural landowners, grantors of conservation easements, and commercial landlords and tenants. His commercial experience ranges from the sale and acquisition of companies (large and small), to organizational and planning issues for corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, to representation of both start-up franchisors and those with established national and international franchise systems. He was a shareholder and director with an established Fort Worth law firm prior to joining Karen Gordon in forming Gordon & Sykes, LLP in June 2002.
Mr. Sykes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 from Austin College. He followed that with a law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1975, where he served as a director of the Legal Research Board. Mr. Sykes has been active in the Fort Worth community as an elder, trustee and Mission Committee Chair at First Presbyterian Church, a board member in the Fort Worth chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens and Girls, Inc., and as board president of the Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County. His wife, Jane, has served and continues to serve the community in too many ways to mention. They have been married for more than 35 years, have two married children and are proud grandparents.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Real Estate
-Banking and Finance
-Franchising
-Business Organization
-Business and Commercial
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1975
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1988
-U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D. - 1975
--Honors: Phi Delta Phi
--Honors: Legal Research Board
--Honors: With Honors
-Austin College, Sherman, Texas
--B.A. - 1972
--Honors: Alpha Chi
--Major: Political Science - Business Administration
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Member
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
The University of Texas School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1975
Jim Gordon is a civil trial lawyer whose practice is focused on the resolution of business disputes, in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference with contractual relationships, unfair competition, and construction claims involving delay, cost overruns, non-payment of subcontractors, and design problems. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in 1976, and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Jim represents a broad spectrum of clients in state and federal courts, in trials and appeals, is experienced in arbitration, and is a certified mediator.
Jim is also experienced in representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and has more than 30 years' experience in oil and gas lawsuits concerning title to mineral estates, marketing of production, and operation of oil and gas wells and pipelines, including surface use and property damage disputes.
Jim is married to Karen Gordon and has four children and two grandchildren. He is a former director of the Tarrant County Bar Association and a former director and past president of Dispute Resolution Services of Tarrant County. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of Fort Worth.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Litigation
-Construction Law
-Professional Liability: Engineering and Architecture
-Fiduciary Litigation
-Real Estate Litigation
-Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
-Oil and Gas Law
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1976
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
-U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
-Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1975
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1972
--Honors: High Honors
Classes/Seminars
-Judgment Creditors: Post-Judgment Discovery and Collections, Tarrant County Bar Association
-Essential Contract Terms, Lorman Education Services
-Litigation of Construction Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lorman Education Services
-Payment and Performance Bonds, Lorman Education Services, 2000
-The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues, Lorman Education Services, 2006
-Accessibility Review and Update, Half Moon, LLC, 2012
Honors and Awards
-Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
-Tarrant County's Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 - 2013
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member, Director, 2003 - 2005
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Participating Attorney
-Texas C-Bar, Participating Attorney
-State Bar of Texas
Past Employment Positions
-Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., Shareholder
-Boswell, Gordon & Karnes, P.C., Shareholder
-Law, Snakard & Gambill, Shareholder
-McMahon, Smart, Wilson, Surovik & Suttle (Abilene, Texas), Partner
Languages
-Spanish
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Beta Kappa
The University of Texas School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1975
Jim Gordon is a civil trial lawyer whose practice is focused on the resolution of business disputes, in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference with contractual relationships, unfair competition, and construction claims involving delay, cost overruns, non-payment of subcontractors, and design problems. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in 1976, and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Jim represents a broad spectrum of clients in state and federal courts, in trials and appeals, is experienced in arbitration, and is a certified mediator.
Jim is also experienced in representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and has more than 30 years' experience in oil and gas lawsuits concerning title to mineral estates, marketing of production, and operation of oil and gas wells and pipelines, including surface use and property damage disputes.
Jim is married to Karen Gordon and has four children and two grandchildren. He is a former director of the Tarrant County Bar Association and a former director and past president of Dispute Resolution Services of Tarrant County. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of Fort Worth.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Litigation
-Construction Law
-Professional Liability: Engineering and Architecture
-Fiduciary Litigation
-Real Estate Litigation
-Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
-Oil and Gas Law
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1976
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
-U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
-Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1975
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1972
--Honors: High Honors
Classes/Seminars
-Judgment Creditors: Post-Judgment Discovery and Collections, Tarrant County Bar Association
-Essential Contract Terms, Lorman Education Services
-Litigation of Construction Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lorman Education Services
-Payment and Performance Bonds, Lorman Education Services, 2000
-The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues, Lorman Education Services, 2006
-Accessibility Review and Update, Half Moon, LLC, 2012
Honors and Awards
-Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
-Tarrant County's Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 - 2013
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member, Director, 2003 - 2005
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Participating Attorney
-Texas C-Bar, Participating Attorney
-State Bar of Texas
Past Employment Positions
-Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., Shareholder
-Boswell, Gordon & Karnes, P.C., Shareholder
-Law, Snakard & Gambill, Shareholder
-McMahon, Smart, Wilson, Surovik & Suttle (Abilene, Texas), Partner
Languages
-Spanish
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Beta Kappa
The University of Texas School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1975
Ms. Strong earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honors in 2005 from Texas A & M University. She followed that with a law degree, with honors, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007. Ms. Strong is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. Ms. Strong volunteers in the community with the Fort Worth Junior League.
Areas of Practice
-Banks and Banking Law
-Franchises and Franchising
-Leases and Leasing
-Estate Planning and Probate
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 2007
Education
-Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
--J.D. cum laude - 2007
-Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
--B.A. cum laude - 2004
--Major: Management
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2007
-State Bar of Texas, 2007
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Texas Tech University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 2007
Ms. Strong earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honors in 2005 from Texas A & M University. She followed that with a law degree, with honors, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007. Ms. Strong is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. Ms. Strong volunteers in the community with the Fort Worth Junior League.
Areas of Practice
-Banks and Banking Law
-Franchises and Franchising
-Leases and Leasing
-Estate Planning and Probate
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 2007
Education
-Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
--J.D. cum laude - 2007
-Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
--B.A. cum laude - 2004
--Major: Management
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2007
-State Bar of Texas, 2007
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Texas Tech University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 2007
The experienced attorneys at the Fort Worth, Texas, law firm of Gordon & Sykes, LLP, represent estates, corporate, professional and entrepreneurial clients throughout Texas and across the nation in business, commercial law, civil litigation, estate planning and probate, estate and trust litigation, elder law, guardianships, real estate transactions and other matters. The Firm provides the proven guidance of highly experienced and well respected attorneys.
We provide a high quality and personalized service designed to create custom legal solutions for clients ranging from trustees, executors, corporations, financial institutions and real estate developers to architects, engineers, independent contractors and individuals and families. Our clients rely on a level of representation that has been recognized by peer organizations such as Martindale-Hubbell* and Super Lawyers as being of the highest quality and ethics.
When you hire Gordon & Sykes, LLP, you work directly with a lawyer that brings decades of practical, useful and proven experience to your legal matter, no matter how complex or sophisticated.
Providing Effective and Efficient Counsel
The Firm has relied with great success for years on the benefits of referrals, its best advertising coming from existing satisfied clients. The Firm continues to grow and expand as it diligently provides business and estate counsel to its clients both in and outside the state of Texas.
You should be satisfied that your lawyer has the right resources, knowledge and work ethic to fully resolve your legal issue. When you employ our attorneys in any of our practice areas - including business, commercial law, banking, real estate law, trust litigation, probate, estate planning and more - you get:
-Experienced counsel
-Tireless advocacy
-Practical and dependable advice
-The resources to pursue your needs
-Custom solutions
-Personalized service
-Results-oriented approach
We take on the issues that are important to you or your business. Our focus is on understanding and serving your legal needs, whether in managing an estate or trust, creating a long-term vision for your corporate formation, resolving a contract dispute or developing an effective litigation strategy for a contested estate or trust matter.
Put Experience and Proven Client Service on Your Side
Contact the experienced attorneys of Gordon & Sykes, LLP, for prompt, efficient and cost-effective representation across a broad range of probate, commercial and civil legal matters.
*Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories - legal ability and general ethical standards.
Main Office
1320 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DR, SUITE 806
FORT WORTH, TX 76107
888-531-7856 / 817-717-1048
ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS SERVING TARRANT AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES
-Do you need help writing your will or creating a trust?
Are you concerned about a will contest or heirs fighting over your assets?
-Do you have a family business or ranch you want to protect once you pass away?
-Do you want to know about ways to avoid probate?
-Are you wondering if you should name your children as executors of your estate?
-Are you concerned about asset protection?
If you have asked yourself any of these questions, please contact the experienced Tarrant County estate planning lawyers at Gordon & Sykes, LLP, today.
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, Estate and Probate Attorneys
Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Other Estate Planning Documents
We specialize in handling estate planning, estate administration, probate, trusts, guardianships (sometimes referred to as conservatorships) and probate litigation and trust litigation. We put professional and personalized strategies to work to help you and your family create sustainable wealth transfer solutions that focus on cost-effectiveness, asset protection, and lawful tax minimalization to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Rely on us for counsel, guidance and representation in areas of:
-Wills
-Trusts
-Living wills
-Revocable and irrevocable trusts
-Disability planning
-Medicaid planning, including Miller trusts
-Powers of attorney
-Guardianships
-Advance health care directives
-Estate tax planning, including gift tax planning
-Business succession planning
-Charitable planning
-Life insurance trusts
-Probate
A Complete Estate Planning and Probate Practice
We are here to answer questions and find creative solutions for any estate planning issue you present to us. From how to minimize estate taxes or gift taxes to how to create a trust for property that is located in another state in order to avoid probate in multiple jurisdictions, we can help you find viable options that meet your needs and protect your family and assets for the future.
We also provide planning advice for IRAs, insurance policies, bank accounts, annuities, and other nonprobate assets.
Contact a Dallas-Fort Worth Attorney for Will Creation and Estate Planning Services
In order to assist you in preparing an estate plan, we ask that you complete an estate planning questionnaire and bring it with you to your initial appointment.
Karen H. Gordon has 30 years of experience and knowledge of business, estate planning, probate and guardianship law. From 1978 until 2002, she was a lawyer at a prominent Fort Worth law firm. She and Dan W. Sykes formed the law firm, Gordon & Sykes, L.L.P. in June 2002. She is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate Law.
Ms. Gordon's areas of expertise include a broad range of business transactions, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, nonprofit corporate law, preparation of contracts and business policies.
She regularly represents bank trust departments and other fiduciaries on matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. In addition, she frequently advises multimillion-dollar corporations regarding corporate issues, contracts, employment issues, business agreements and business dispute resolution. A significant amount of her practice includes representing beneficiaries in estate and trust litigation matters. She also counsels persons with disabilities needing legal advice in connection with guardianships, elder law issues, powers of attorneys and living trusts as well as preparing wills, trusts and other estate planning and wealth transfer instruments.
A 1975 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts degree, with honors. In 1978, she earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She is married to Fort Worth Attorney James C. Gordon and has two children, Sarah and Claire Gordon.
Areas of Practice
-Probate, Trust and Business Transactions
-Guardianships
-Non-profit Organizations
-Business Organizations
-Contracts
Certified Legal Specialties
-Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1987
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1978
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Education
-Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
--J.D. - 1978
--Law Journal: Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Editor, 1977 - 1978
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A. - 1975
--Honors: With Honors
--Major: Government
Honors and Awards
-Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County, Texas, 1986
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2004 - 2005
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2008
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2009
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2012
Professional Associations and Memberships
-State Bar of Texas, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Director, 1987 - 1988
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Director, 1991 - 1995
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1982
-National Council of Planned Giving, Member
Pro Bono Activities
-President, Kids Who Care, 2003 - 2004
-City of Fort Worth - Charter Review Commission, 1992
-Board Member, Gill Children's Services
-Camp Fire Boys and Girls First Texas Council, Director and Vice-President, 1980 - 1986
-First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
-City of Fort Worth Sesquicentennial Commission
-Jewel Charity Ball
-Fort Worth Teen Court - Chair
-Board Member, Imagination Celebration
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Southern Methodist University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1978
Karen H. Gordon has 30 years of experience and knowledge of business, estate planning, probate and guardianship law. From 1978 until 2002, she was a lawyer at a prominent Fort Worth law firm. She and Dan W. Sykes formed the law firm, Gordon & Sykes, L.L.P. in June 2002. She is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Estate Planning and Probate Law.
Ms. Gordon's areas of expertise include a broad range of business transactions, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, nonprofit corporate law, preparation of contracts and business policies.
She regularly represents bank trust departments and other fiduciaries on matters involving the administration of estates and trusts. In addition, she frequently advises multimillion-dollar corporations regarding corporate issues, contracts, employment issues, business agreements and business dispute resolution. A significant amount of her practice includes representing beneficiaries in estate and trust litigation matters. She also counsels persons with disabilities needing legal advice in connection with guardianships, elder law issues, powers of attorneys and living trusts as well as preparing wills, trusts and other estate planning and wealth transfer instruments.
A 1975 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Ms. Gordon earned a bachelor of arts degree, with honors. In 1978, she earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. She is married to Fort Worth Attorney James C. Gordon and has two children, Sarah and Claire Gordon.
Areas of Practice
-Probate, Trust and Business Transactions
-Guardianships
-Non-profit Organizations
-Business Organizations
-Contracts
Certified Legal Specialties
-Estate Planning and Probate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1987
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1978
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
Education
-Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
--J.D. - 1978
--Law Journal: Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Editor, 1977 - 1978
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A. - 1975
--Honors: With Honors
--Major: Government
Honors and Awards
-Outstanding Young Lawyer of Tarrant County, Texas, 1986
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2004 - 2005
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2008
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2009
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2012
Professional Associations and Memberships
-State Bar of Texas, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Sections, Member
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Director, 1987 - 1988
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Director, 1991 - 1995
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1982
-National Council of Planned Giving, Member
Pro Bono Activities
-President, Kids Who Care, 2003 - 2004
-City of Fort Worth - Charter Review Commission, 1992
-Board Member, Gill Children's Services
-Camp Fire Boys and Girls First Texas Council, Director and Vice-President, 1980 - 1986
-First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
-City of Fort Worth Sesquicentennial Commission
-Jewel Charity Ball
-Fort Worth Teen Court - Chair
-Board Member, Imagination Celebration
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Southern Methodist University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1978
Dan Sykes brings more than 30 years of experience to the firm. Mr. Sykes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1975, and has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tarrant County, the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sykes has represented numerous clients in business and commercial transactions, with a special emphasis in real estate, franchising, and commercial and real estate lending. Real estate clients include developers, urban and rural landowners, grantors of conservation easements, and commercial landlords and tenants. His commercial experience ranges from the sale and acquisition of companies (large and small), to organizational and planning issues for corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, to representation of both start-up franchisors and those with established national and international franchise systems. He was a shareholder and director with an established Fort Worth law firm prior to joining Karen Gordon in forming Gordon & Sykes, LLP in June 2002.
Mr. Sykes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 from Austin College. He followed that with a law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1975, where he served as a director of the Legal Research Board. Mr. Sykes has been active in the Fort Worth community as an elder, trustee and Mission Committee Chair at First Presbyterian Church, a board member in the Fort Worth chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens and Girls, Inc., and as board president of the Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County. His wife, Jane, has served and continues to serve the community in too many ways to mention. They have been married for more than 35 years, have two married children and are proud grandparents.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Real Estate
-Banking and Finance
-Franchising
-Business Organization
-Business and Commercial
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1975
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1988
-U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D. - 1975
--Honors: Phi Delta Phi
--Honors: Legal Research Board
--Honors: With Honors
-Austin College, Sherman, Texas
--B.A. - 1972
--Honors: Alpha Chi
--Major: Political Science - Business Administration
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Member
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
The University of Texas School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1975
Dan Sykes brings more than 30 years of experience to the firm. Mr. Sykes was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1975, and has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Tarrant County, the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Sykes has represented numerous clients in business and commercial transactions, with a special emphasis in real estate, franchising, and commercial and real estate lending. Real estate clients include developers, urban and rural landowners, grantors of conservation easements, and commercial landlords and tenants. His commercial experience ranges from the sale and acquisition of companies (large and small), to organizational and planning issues for corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships, to representation of both start-up franchisors and those with established national and international franchise systems. He was a shareholder and director with an established Fort Worth law firm prior to joining Karen Gordon in forming Gordon & Sykes, LLP in June 2002.
Mr. Sykes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972 from Austin College. He followed that with a law degree, with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law in 1975, where he served as a director of the Legal Research Board. Mr. Sykes has been active in the Fort Worth community as an elder, trustee and Mission Committee Chair at First Presbyterian Church, a board member in the Fort Worth chapters of the Association for Retarded Citizens and Girls, Inc., and as board president of the Presbyterian Night Shelter of Tarrant County. His wife, Jane, has served and continues to serve the community in too many ways to mention. They have been married for more than 35 years, have two married children and are proud grandparents.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Real Estate
-Banking and Finance
-Franchising
-Business Organization
-Business and Commercial
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1975
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1980
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1988
-U.S. Supreme Court, 1989
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D. - 1975
--Honors: Phi Delta Phi
--Honors: Legal Research Board
--Honors: With Honors
-Austin College, Sherman, Texas
--B.A. - 1972
--Honors: Alpha Chi
--Major: Political Science - Business Administration
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
-State Bar of Texas, Member
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
The University of Texas School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1975
Jim Gordon is a civil trial lawyer whose practice is focused on the resolution of business disputes, in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference with contractual relationships, unfair competition, and construction claims involving delay, cost overruns, non-payment of subcontractors, and design problems. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in 1976, and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Jim represents a broad spectrum of clients in state and federal courts, in trials and appeals, is experienced in arbitration, and is a certified mediator.
Jim is also experienced in representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and has more than 30 years' experience in oil and gas lawsuits concerning title to mineral estates, marketing of production, and operation of oil and gas wells and pipelines, including surface use and property damage disputes.
Jim is married to Karen Gordon and has four children and two grandchildren. He is a former director of the Tarrant County Bar Association and a former director and past president of Dispute Resolution Services of Tarrant County. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of Fort Worth.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Litigation
-Construction Law
-Professional Liability: Engineering and Architecture
-Fiduciary Litigation
-Real Estate Litigation
-Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
-Oil and Gas Law
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1976
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
-U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
-Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1975
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1972
--Honors: High Honors
Classes/Seminars
-Judgment Creditors: Post-Judgment Discovery and Collections, Tarrant County Bar Association
-Essential Contract Terms, Lorman Education Services
-Litigation of Construction Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lorman Education Services
-Payment and Performance Bonds, Lorman Education Services, 2000
-The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues, Lorman Education Services, 2006
-Accessibility Review and Update, Half Moon, LLC, 2012
Honors and Awards
-Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
-Tarrant County's Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 - 2013
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member, Director, 2003 - 2005
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Participating Attorney
-Texas C-Bar, Participating Attorney
-State Bar of Texas
Past Employment Positions
-Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., Shareholder
-Boswell, Gordon & Karnes, P.C., Shareholder
-Law, Snakard & Gambill, Shareholder
-McMahon, Smart, Wilson, Surovik & Suttle (Abilene, Texas), Partner
Languages
-Spanish
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Beta Kappa
The University of Texas School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 1975
Jim Gordon is a civil trial lawyer whose practice is focused on the resolution of business disputes, in cases involving breach of contract, fraud, tortious interference with contractual relationships, unfair competition, and construction claims involving delay, cost overruns, non-payment of subcontractors, and design problems. He was licensed to practice law in the State of Texas in 1976, and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell and is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Jim represents a broad spectrum of clients in state and federal courts, in trials and appeals, is experienced in arbitration, and is a certified mediator.
Jim is also experienced in representing creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and has more than 30 years' experience in oil and gas lawsuits concerning title to mineral estates, marketing of production, and operation of oil and gas wells and pipelines, including surface use and property damage disputes.
Jim is married to Karen Gordon and has four children and two grandchildren. He is a former director of the Tarrant County Bar Association and a former director and past president of Dispute Resolution Services of Tarrant County. He serves on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of Fort Worth.
Areas of Practice
-Commercial Litigation
-Construction Law
-Professional Liability: Engineering and Architecture
-Fiduciary Litigation
-Real Estate Litigation
-Bankruptcy and Creditor's Rights
-Oil and Gas Law
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 1976
-U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
-U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
-U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
-U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
-Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education
-The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
--J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1975
-University of Texas, Austin, Texas
--B.A., Bachelor of Arts - 1972
--Honors: High Honors
Classes/Seminars
-Judgment Creditors: Post-Judgment Discovery and Collections, Tarrant County Bar Association
-Essential Contract Terms, Lorman Education Services
-Litigation of Construction Disputes and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lorman Education Services
-Payment and Performance Bonds, Lorman Education Services, 2000
-The Fundamentals of Construction Contracts: Understanding the Issues, Lorman Education Services, 2006
-Accessibility Review and Update, Half Moon, LLC, 2012
Honors and Awards
-Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
-Tarrant County's Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2005 - 2013
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2010
-Texas Super Lawyer, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Tarrant County Bar Association, Member, Director, 2003 - 2005
-Tarrant County Probate Bar Association, Member
-Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
-Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Participating Attorney
-Texas C-Bar, Participating Attorney
-State Bar of Texas
Past Employment Positions
-Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C., Shareholder
-Boswell, Gordon & Karnes, P.C., Shareholder
-Law, Snakard & Gambill, Shareholder
-McMahon, Smart, Wilson, Surovik & Suttle (Abilene, Texas), Partner
Languages
-Spanish
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Beta Kappa
The University of Texas School of Law Juris Doctorate, 1975
Ms. Strong earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honors in 2005 from Texas A & M University. She followed that with a law degree, with honors, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007. Ms. Strong is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. Ms. Strong volunteers in the community with the Fort Worth Junior League.
Areas of Practice
-Banks and Banking Law
-Franchises and Franchising
-Leases and Leasing
-Estate Planning and Probate
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 2007
Education
-Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
--J.D. cum laude - 2007
-Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
--B.A. cum laude - 2004
--Major: Management
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2007
-State Bar of Texas, 2007
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Texas Tech University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, 2007
Ms. Strong earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with honors in 2005 from Texas A & M University. She followed that with a law degree, with honors, from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2007. Ms. Strong is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. Ms. Strong volunteers in the community with the Fort Worth Junior League.
Areas of Practice
-Banks and Banking Law
-Franchises and Franchising
-Leases and Leasing
-Estate Planning and Probate
Bar Admissions
-Texas, 2007
Education
-Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
--J.D. cum laude - 2007
-Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
--B.A. cum laude - 2004
--Major: Management
Professional Associations and Memberships
-Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2007
-State Bar of Texas, 2007
Fraternities/Sororities
-Phi Delta Phi
Texas Tech University School of Law Juris Doctorate, 2007
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