Jeniah Hunter is an accomplished associate attorney at WSHB’s Dallas office, where she focuses her practice on complex civil litigation, including business litigation, premises liability, and professional liability.
Jeniah earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2023. During law school, she served as President of the Lois Prestage Woods Chapter of Women of Law.
Originally from South Carolina, Jeniah earned her B.A. in Political Science from the College of Charleston in 2019.
Jeniah is committed to providing high-quality legal services and achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Education
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law, J.D., 2023, magna cum laude
- College of Charleston, B.A., 2019
Licensed to Practice
Tonyce Gustave centers her practice on real estate transactions, title matters, and mortgage compliance. With more than a decade of experience across the real estate and lending space, she brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to resolving title issues, coordinating transactions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and guiding matters from initial review through closing.
Tonyce has extensive experience in title examination and curative work, including identifying and resolving liens, clearing title defects, and preparing corrective instruments to ensure marketable title. She regularly drafts and reviews deeds, contracts, and other real estate documents, and works closely with lenders, title companies, and clients to facilitate efficient and accurate closings. Her background also includes significant work in mortgage compliance, where she has reviewed loan files for adherence to federal and state lending regulations and supported audit and quality control initiatives.
Adept at identifying risks early, Tonyce manages files with precision and efficiency, implementing solutions that keep transactions moving forward. Her experience encompasses residential and investment property matters, giving her a holistic perspective on the legal and operational aspects of real estate work.
Tonyce earned her J.D. from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and her B.A. in English, with a minor in Religious Studies, from the University of North Texas. She is admitted to practice in Texas.
Education
- Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
- University of North Texas
Dwayne is an experienced trial attorney who has conducted over 25 jury trials to verdict. Dwayne has a proven ability to translate complicated situations into clear, concise and persuasive arguments that advance client positions. Drawing on his experience as an assistant general counsel, Dwayne understands how to harmonize business objectives with litigation strategy.
Dwayne helps clients minimize the risk of litigation. He has conducted internal investigations and advised healthcare professionals on critical compliance matters. Dwayne previously served as the Chief Privacy Officer for a nationwide health care organization, and the HIPAA Privacy Officer for a county-wide healthcare organization.
Education
- College of William and Mary School of Law, JD
- Furman University, BA
Admissions
- Florida
- Indiana
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Appellate Practice & Legal Strategies
- Cybersecurity & Data Privacy
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
- Products Liability - Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Industries
- Healthcare
- Life Sciences, Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
- Consumer Products & Retail
- Manufacturing
Carra Rentie is an associate in McKool Smith's Dallas office. Carra is a versatile litigator with a range of experience in patent and complex commercial cases. Much of her recent work has been concentrated in the technology and telecommunications spheres.
Carra has previously served as a judicial intern for Chief Judge Leroy M. Not Afraid of the Crow Tribal Courts in Big Horn County, Montana, Judge Martin Hoffman of the 68th District Court in Dallas, and Magistrate Judge Renee H. Toliver of the Northern District of Texas. In 2021, Carra also took a year away from private practice to clerk for the Honorable Barbara Lynn of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
While in law school, Carra was active in the Native American Law Student Association and participated in the Supreme Court litigation for McGirt v. Oklahoma. She was the recipient of the Leon M. Cain Community Leadership Award, graduated with Highest Pro Bono Distinction, and served as an editor of the Stanford Law and Policy Review. She also served as an extern for the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrant Rights Project, and the Stanford Community Law Clinic.
Carra is fluent in Spanish and conversational in American Sign Language.
Education
- J.D., Stanford Law School, 2020
- B.A., Linguistics, Stanford University, 2017
Clerkships
- Hon. Barbara Lynn, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Court Admissions
- State of Texas
- The U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, and Northern Districts of Texas
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Alia L. Adkins-Derrick serves as the managing partner of Adkins Lawyers, PLLC. Ms. Adkins-Derrick’s primary focus is helping clients avoid legal ruin by providing them with the legal foresight and representation they need to minimize their legal risks.
Ms. Adkins-Derrick regularly counsels business clients across various professions and industries on the practical implications and impact of employment, business, and contract laws on their respective business practices, policies, and procedures. She has first-hand experience preparing clients for changes in the law and guiding their efforts to bring their company and/or workplace into compliance. Her clients describe her as “on your team . . . looking out for your best interest” and a “great partner for the long-term: trustworthy, knowledgeable, and caring.”
Ms. Adkins-Derrick is no stranger to the courtroom. She helps clients protect their interest by representing them in administrative and court proceedings, if and when, the need arises. As a mediator with advanced training and first-hand experience, Ms. Adkins-Derrick empowers litigants with the tools needed to negotiate and resolve the complex disputes between them. As a legal advocate, Ms. Adkins-Derrick uses this specialized knowledge to give her clients a competitive advantage in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
When she is not engaged in fierce client advocacy, Ms. Adkins-Derrick educates others on the law. She serves as an Adjunct Law Professor at a local law school and is frequently called upon to speak at various business seminars and conferences. Ms. Adkins-Derrick takes great pride in: (1) equipping the next generation of Texas attorneys with the critical reasoning and practical legal research and writing skills they need to be effective client advocates; and (2) educating business owners and clients on practical steps they can take to avoid legal landmines.
Prior to forming Adkins Lawyers, PLLC, Ms. Adkins-Derrick had the distinct honor of serving as a briefing attorney for former Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott A. Brister where she gained in depth knowledge of court procedure as well as unique and invaluable insight and understanding of court decisions that translates into a competitive advantage for her clients.
Ms. Adkins-Derrick later joined a large law firm where she gained experience as legal advocate for clients.
Ms. Adkins-Derrick obtained her B.A. degree in History and Spanish from Rice University and her J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Ms. Adkins-Derrick also holds an advanced mediation certification and serves as a neutral third-party mediator trained to help parties resolve complex disputes.