Managing Attorney
Joel K. B. Winful has over 25 years of legal experience. His current practice focuses on the areas of wills, trusts, estates, guardianship and probate law, as well as civil litigation. Since 2012, Joel has held a Guardianship Certification from the State Bar of Texas, certifying him as eligible to be appointed as an attorney for an applicant for guardianship; to serve as a court appointed attorney in guardianship proceedings and to serve as an attorney ad litem in Texas courts. Joel has served numerous times as a court appointed guardian ad litem and attorney ad litem in North Texas Courts, and is a member of the Probate, Trusts, and Estates Section of the Dallas Bar Association.
Prior to starting his own law practice, Joel served as CEO of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (LANWT), a non-profit law firm which provided free legal services to low-income citizens in 114 counties from 15 offices. Prior to his three years as CEO at LANWT, he worked for the law firm of Linebarger, Goggan Blair & Sampson, LLP, in their Dallas office, where he represented governmental entities in the areas of ad valorem taxation, bankruptcy, and civil litigation. Before joining Linebarger, Joel spent over 10 years as an Assistant District Attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office in its Civil Division, handling civil litigation as well as contracts and various transactional matters in defense of Dallas County.
Joel received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University – Dedman School of Law. He served in 2003 as President of the J.L. Turner Legal Association, the African-American Bar Association of Dallas, Texas. Joel also served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Bar Association (DBA) for four years and served as the DBA Secretary-Treasurer in 2007.
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Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, Dallas, TX. Juris Doctor Degree, 1995.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC. Bachelor of Arts Degree, Political Science, 1990.
Bar Admission:
State Bar of Texas, 1996; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. -
Outstanding Minority Bar Leader Award - Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX:
Selected by DBA for outstanding minority bar leader award in 2001 and in 2002. -
J.L. Turner Legal Association Foundation, Dallas, TX:
Serving as 2023 Chair of non-profit organization that provides scholarships to law students.Served as 2022 Treasurer on Board of Directors
Served as member of Board of Directors from 2008 to 2013.
Legal Aid of North West Texas (LANWT), Dallas, TX:
Served as 2011 and 2012 Chair of Board of Directors of non-profit legal aid organization.
Served as member of Board of Directors from 1999 to 2013.
Dallas Bar Association (DBA), Dallas, TX:
Served as 2012 Chair of DBA Mentoring Committee.
Served as 2007 Secretary -Treasurer of the DBA Board of Directors.
Served as 2006 Chair of DBA Lawyer Referral Service Committee.
Served as 2005 Co-Chair of DBA Minority Participation Committee.
Served as 2004 Chair of DBA Pictorial Directory Committee.
Served as 2003 & 2002 Member of DBA Board of Directors.
Served as 2002 & 2001 Co-Chair of DBA LegalLine Committee.
J.L. Turner Legal Association (JLTLA), Dallas, TX:
Served as 2003 President of JLTLA, the African-American Bar Association in Dallas, TX.
Served as 2002 President-Elect of JLTLA.
Served as 2001 Vice-President of JLTLA.
Served as 2000 Treasurer of JLTLA.
Served as JLTLA Website Chair from 2004 through 2013.
Texas Bar Foundation, Austin, TX:
Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2010.
Dallas Bar Foundation, Dallas, TX:
Life Fellow of the Dallas Bar Foundation since 2003.
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL), Dallas, TX:
1998 graduate of Leadership DAYL Program.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, Dallas, TX:
Served as a Big Brother to a middle school aged young man from 1999 – 2001.
Served as a Big Brother to an elementary school aged boy from 2008 – 2012.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Rho Nu Lambda Chapter, Carrollton, TX:
Member of graduate chapter of fraternity, which performs numerous service projects in DFW community.
One Community Church, Plano, TX: Member
A Family Man
Joel and his wife Terilyn are the proud parents of three girls. Joel is a runner and has completed a full marathon and numerous half marathons. In his spare time he enjoys running, biking, reading, and attending his daughters’ soccer games. Joel is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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Legal Disclaimer: Any information provided on this website does not constitute legal advice.