DALLAS, TX – West & Associates, L.L.P. welcomes Twana W. Allen to the firm as a Partner in its Dallas office. The addition of Twana is a part of the firm’s ongoing growth and commitment to the development of the office. She will be leading the family law section for the firm, which will include custody and divorce matters, as well as adoptions. Allen is also a court-appointed advocate for children in the family courts, and a certified mediator.

“We are pleased to include Ms. Allen in the practice,” said Firm Managing Partner, Royce West. “She is a talented attorney, who will strengthen our firm and provide valuable skills to our clients.”

Twana earned her Juris Doctor degree, in 2001 from Oklahoma City University School of Law. She graduated in 1993 from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Allen is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and the United States District Court-Northern District of Texas and the United States Bankruptcy Court-Northern District of Texas.

She is a member of several professional and civic associations and organizations, including: the State Bar of Texas, Family Law and Computer and Technology Sections; Dallas Bar Association, Family Law Section; JL Turner Legal Association; National Association of Counsel for Children, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Volunteer Attorney; Bell Tower Scholarship, Inc. Treasurer; UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter.

Allen believes that clients who need legal representation for family law matters are often experiencing one of the most emotional and life-altering experiences of their lives. “My primary role”, says Allen, “is to decrease the client’s anxiety about what they’re going through. It’s my job to counsel them on the law so they can navigate through the difficult decisions. Sometimes, clients also need a fighter, which means I carry a shield and sword.”

Texas State Representative and West & Associates attorney Nicole Collier recently appeared on the Texas Tribune’s Point of Order podcast. Representative Collier is currently serving a second term as Chairwoman of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and was recently chosen to lead the Black Caucus. She and host Evan Smith share a wide-ranging discussion, touching on topics such as police reforms stemming from the murder of George Floyd, bail reform, public safety funding, marijuana laws, and what the Texas Legislature can realistically get done in the coming months. You can listen to the interview here.