-

Dean Omar Branham Shirley Elevates 5 Attorneys to Partner

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationally recognized plaintiffs firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is pleased to announce the elevation of five dedicated attorneys to partner: Todd Barnes, Aaron Chapman, Kathy Farinas, Ka’Leya Hardin and Cori Kapusta.

“These five attorneys embody the standards of excellence and integrity that define our firm,” said partner Trey Branham. “Each has earned this promotion through outstanding advocacy, deep commitment to our clients and the kind of work ethic that strengthens our team every day.”

Mr. Barnes, based in Indianapolis, is a veteran litigator known for successfully arguing landmark cases before the Indiana Supreme Court, including decisions that restored the rights of individuals to hold toxic product manufacturers accountable.

Dallas-based Mr. Chapman has played a key role in several high-profile talc litigation victories and has been named to the Lawdragon X – Next Generation list of top emerging lawyers two years in a row.

Ms. Farinas, a National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyer, leads the firm’s Indianapolis office and has built her career representing victims of toxic exposure injuries, securing multimillion-dollar recoveries for those harmed by asbestos.

A Mississippi native, Ms. Hardin is deeply committed to advocating for the underdog and is an integral part of the firm’s appellate team. She is a member of the American Association for Justice.

Ms. Kapusta leads the firm’s Pittsburgh office and is consistently recognized as a Super Lawyer and focuses her practice on asbestos litigation and toxic torts. She also serves as a frequent contributor to the mesothelioma advocacy community through panels and thought leadership.

2025 was a banner year for the firm, which secured verdicts of $1.5 billion, $966 million, $65.5 million, $42 million, $10.25 million and $6 million on behalf of clients suffering from mesothelioma. The firm was also named to the Best Law Firms list for the first time for its significant contributions to corporate accountability and consumer protection.

About Dean Omar Branham Shirley

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit http://www.dobslegal.com.

Contacts

Media Contact:
BeLynn Hollers
800-559-4534
belynn@androvett.com

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP


Release Versions

Contacts

Media Contact:
BeLynn Hollers
800-559-4534
belynn@androvett.com

Social Media Profiles
More News From Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP

Lawdragon Spotlights DOBS Partners for Leadership in High-Stakes Trial Litigation

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dean Omar Branham Shirley name partners Jessica Dean and Trey Branham have been named to Lawdragon’s flagship 2026 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide, which recognizes attorneys nationwide for excellence and influence across the legal profession. The publication’s editors say, “this 500 is robust with lawyers who inspire us and will shape the law for decades to come.” “This honor belongs to the entire trial team,” Ms. Dean said. “The results we achieved in 2025 were o...

Over $1.5 Billion Baltimore Verdict Holds Johnson & Johnson Liable Over Iconic Baby Powder

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Baltimore city jury has returned a verdict in favor of Cherie A. Craft, awarding her over $1.5 billion after finding that Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries exposed her to asbestos through talc-based personal care products and caused her to develop peritoneal malignant mesothelioma, an incurable cancer. The verdict is believed to be the largest ever returned against Johnson & Johnson for a single plaintiff. Ms. Craft, a mother and the founder, CEO and e...

Minnesota Jury Delivers $65.5 Million History-Making Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million to a 37-year-old mother of three minor children after finding in her favor in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, concluding that the company’s talc products exposed her to asbestos and contributed to her developing peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the peritoneal lining in the stomach. The verdict follows a 13-day trial in Ramsey County District Court, where jurors heard evidence that Johnson & Johnson sold an...
Back to Newsroom