Debrán O’Neil
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Debrán O’Neil

Clients need more than a lawyer who can argue their case; they need an advisor they trust. I take the time to understand my clients’ business objectives, explain issues in plain language, and help them make informed, practical decisions at every stage of a dispute. Whether a matter resolves through negotiation or proceeds to trial, my goal is for clients to feel confident, prepared, and supported throughout the process.

Debrán O’Neil is a trial lawyer who represents owners, developers, contractors, and manufacturers in complex disputes involving commercial construction projects, industrial facilities, and infrastructure projects. She is known for combining strategic advocacy with practical problem-solving to help clients protect their businesses and achieve successful outcomes.

Debrán handles all phases of disputes and litigation, from early claims processes or dispute resolution to case assessment and risk analysis through trial and arbitration. Her experience spans construction defect claims, contract disputes, products liability matters, catastrophic personal injury claims, and other complex business litigation. She has represented clients on projects ranging from highways and water treatment facilities to manufacturing plants and commercial developments.

Although she enjoys the courtroom and is always prepared to take a case to trial, Debrán understands that litigation is only one tool for solving a problem. She works closely with clients to identify their goals, evaluate risk, and pursue efficient resolutions whenever possible. Debrán advocates vigorously for her clients with poise and professionalism. She finds that building respect with all parties is the most effective way to accomplish her clients’ goals. Debrán knows how to calibrate her communication style to her audience and scales her litigation tactics to fit the size and scope of each matter.

I enjoy using my extensive experience and ability to relate to others to make clients feel comfortable and confident throughout the dispute process.

Debrán L. O’Neil

Significant Matters

Representative Construction and Manufacturing Matters

  • Successfully arbitrated a construction dispute involving relocation of manufacturing equipment for a global manufacturer of nutrition, health, beauty and household products.
  • Represented a municipality in multiple disputes with general contractors involving liquidated damages, delay claims, change orders, and defects on the construction of water treatment facilities.
  • Represented an engineering, procurement, and construction management company in dispute with subcontractors and supplies involving defective construction and materials.

Representative Personal Injury and Products Liability Matters

  • Represented national beverage manufacturer and distributor in a wrongful death case arising out of a collision of a train and tractor trailer delivering materials to the facility.
  • Represented commercial landowner in personal injury claim resulting from the fall of a subcontractor’s employee.
  • Successfully defended valve and electrical manufacturers in products liability cases, including toxic tort.
  • Represented national restaurant chains in the defense of personal injury claims alleging food contamination and food-borne illnesses.
  • Represented national supplier of construction materials in personal injury claim, including defending claims from other defendants for contractual indemnity.

Representative Commercial Litigation Matters

  • Represented national bank in obtaining multi-million-dollar judgments against guarantors on commercial loans, including defending claims for fraudulent inducement and defeating other defenses.
  • Represented a large regional firm against claims brought by the bankruptcy trustee of a former client alleging the firm aided and abetted the client’s allegedly fraudulent business practices. The plaintiff sought over $129 million in damages.

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • Baylor Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 2012)
    • Baylor Law Review, 2010-12: Managing Senior Executive Editor
    • Order of Barristers
  • Southwestern University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2009)
    • Hatton Sumners Fellow

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas, 2012
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas

Leadership

  • Attorneys Serving the Community, Lead Chair, 2026; Co-Chair, 2025; Heart & Sole 5k Committee Chair, 2013-2024
  • Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2024
  • ABA Forum on Construction Law, Division 1’s The Dispute Resolver, Editor
  • Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Associate, 2015-2016
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2014 Leadership Class
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Trial Skills Boot Camp, Co-Chair 2016-2019
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Judiciary Committee
  • Dallas Bar Association, Transition to Law Program Advisor

Recognition

  • D Magazine, Best Lawyers in Dallas, Construction Litigation, 2026
  • The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation; Health Care Law; Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law, 2022-2025
  • Lawdragon 500, Leading Litigators in America, Accounting & Other Professional Liability, Product Liability, 2023-2025
  • D Magazine, Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas, 2020, 2023-2025
  • Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, Business Litigation, 2023-2026
  • Texas Super Lawyer - Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2016-2022
  • Up-and-Coming 100: Texas Rising Stars, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2021
  • Up-and-Coming 50: Women Texas Rising Stars, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2021

Best-Lawyers-Logo (1)  DO-RS21-50 DO-RS21-100

Speeches/Publications

  • Speaker, Dare to Share Your Failures?, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law Midwinter Meeting, January 2025
  • Speaker and Author, Trust and Confidence: Pursuing and Defending the Informal Fiduciary, State Bar of Texas 18th Annual Fiduciary Litigation CLE, December 2023
  • Speaker: The Ethics of Working with Witnesses and Experts, presented with trial consultant Jeff Dougherty (2020).
  • Moderator, DAYL Skills Boot Camp Series, Direct Examination, Dallas (2019).
  • Co-Author, SMU Annual Texas Survey: Professional Liability, 2 SMU Ann. Tex. Surv. 363 (2016).
  • Co-Author, Professional Liability, SMU L. Rev. (2015).
  • Co-Author, Doing Business With Health Care Providers, Carrington Coleman Capital Newsletter (Spring 2013).
  • Co-Author, Six Things Every Lawyer Should Know About Health Law, DBA Headnotes (March 2013).
  • Co-Author, Professional Liability, 66 SMU L. Rev. 1055 (2013).

Outside of Work

Debrán and her husband have three girls and enjoy spending family time together, especially outside and near water. She likes traveling, cooking, and reading books on the front porch.