Cynthia Dooley
Phone: 214-220-1220
Fax: 214-220-2770
Personal and Powerful
Cynthia knows the practice of law is hard. “Nothing is ever easy,” she says – meaning, even matters that look simple always turn out to be as complex as the humans involved. But therein lies the reward: Put all those complicated pieces together, advocate like a mother lion for the client’s best outcome, and solve a real person or company’s problem. She won’t stop until she does.
In one of Cynthia’s recent cases, she represented a resident of Los Angeles who had inherited a 50% interest in a South Dallas home from her mother several years hence. The inheritor of the other 50%, a nephew, lived in the house and refused to sell it or buy the aunt’s interest for a reasonable price. Simple, right? Sue the nephew and force the sale? No: Nothing is ever easy. There was no known proof of the client’s title to 50%. Cynthia found an old affidavit of heirship in the Dallas County Deed Records, and the nephew admitted to his aunt’s 50% interest in the lawsuit discovery process. Title problem solved. The nephew agreed to sell the house and move out. Cynthia made sure the sale closed and her client received the agreed amount. Cynthia and the client, who is in her 80s, remain great friends.
More Than Just a Lawyer
Cynthia’s Texas roots run deep. Her grandparents on both sides came from Denton County. She was born on Galveston Island, grew up in Tarrant County, and has lived in Dallas County for more than 30 years. Cynthia values nothing more than time with her family and her many pets. She is an accomplished cook and baker, voracious reader, and confessed news junkie. She volunteers at Faith Presbyterian Hospice when she can, recently acting as a scribe at their drive- through COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Most dear to her heart are the numerous pro bono probate clients she has represented for the nonprofit Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program. The Los Angeles grandmother with the house in South Dallas was one of them!
Cynthia started thinking about becoming a lawyer at the age of 20, when she was still in college. A relative of hers had been murdered. She got to know the dedicated Tarrant County prosecutors who put the offender on trial and ultimately behind bars. She admired their analytical thought process and appreciated the service they did for the public. She realized the legal world could be a perfect home for her, too.
Traditional yet Innovative
All of the attorneys at Brousseau Naftis Erick & Massingill believe there is power in words. Words, proverbs, sayings, and quotations have the power to connect the present to the past. The words and sayings that each attorney holds onto are meaningful in shaping the firm’s culture and philosophies.
Cynthia’s favorite quotation is, “Keep your eyes on the Prize.” The tricky part is that this always begs the question: “What’s the Prize?” In moments of great stress or anger, it’s easy to forget that the Prize is – for most people – “a peaceful, financially secure life in the company of those I love.” Short-term goals can sound emotionally gratifying but may be counterproductive to the Prize.