Julie A. Lucio - Attorney and Counselor at Law

Julie Lucio exclusively practices in the areas of Family and Divorce Law. As a mother of two, Ms. Lucio appreciates what is at stake in a family law case. She understands the complexities of family dynamics and the emotions that are involved when your family issues become legal issues. As the Managing Partner of the Firm, she has overseen hundreds of family and/or divorce cases. In addition, Ms. Lucio has a Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychology degree. She has counseled families and individuals before practicing law. She was involved psychology education as a Professor of Psychology for Collin County Community College and Dallas County Community Colleges for 10 years. She brings her expertise to the courtroom with her vast experience in public speaking and teaching in the areas of Psychology of the Personality, Psychology of Adolescents and Children, Abnormal Psychology and Social Psychology. Ms. Lucio attributes her background in psychology to her successes in picking juries, questioning witnesses and negotiating settlements.

As the Founder of the firm, Julie Lucio has maintained the philosophy that attorneys should maintain an exclusive practice of one area of law. She has worked very diligently in building a staff of attorneys and support staff who are focused on delivering cost effective, proficient legal representation in their specific area of law.

When Julie is not in court or preparing for a case she enjoys playing the piano, snow skiing, and family vacations.

Memberships: American Bar Association, Collin County Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association, Texas Defense Lawyers Association, State Bar of Texas-Family Law Section Licensed by the State Bar of Texas, Certified Mediator, Certified Family Law Mediator.

Educational Background: Texas Tech University, University of the District of Columbia, Texas Wesleyan School of Law.

Eric Lafleur - Attorney and Counselor at Law

Eric LaFleur was born in Houston and grew up in Beaumont, Texas where he graduated from high school in 1992. He attended Texas A&M University in College Station Texas, graduating cum laude with a degree in Political Science in 1996. Eric was then accepted to the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas. After graduating in May of 1999, he passed the Texas Bar Exam and accepted a position as a misdemeanor prosecutor in the Grayson County District Attorney’s Office in Sherman, Texas, specializing in the prosecution of family violence cases.

In 2001, Eric joined the Collin County District Attorney’s Office in McKinney, Texas. Beginning in the misdemeanor trial section, he was promoted to the position of misdemeanor court chief and, eventually, to felony trial prosecutor. During his time with the Collin County D.A.’s Office, Eric prosecuted most every type of criminal offense, but with an emphasis on DWI. He served as lead counsel in approximately 75 jury trials, 60 bench trials, and assisted in many others, winning the vast majority of his cases.

After leaving the District Attorney’s Office, Eric began his career as a criminal defense attorney and a family lawyer, practicing primarily in Dallas, and Collin Counties. Using the experience he gained as a prosecutor, Eris has successfully defended clients facing a wide variety of criminal charges. Additionally he began using his trial skills to successfully handle child custody cases and divorces. He continues to aggressively try cases, and has obtained acquittals and dismissals for clients charged with DWI, Assault, Fraud, Drug Possession, Theft and other charges. He has handled numerous divorces involving complex property divisions and heated custody battles.

Eric’s vast experience both in prosecuting and defending criminal cases provides his clients with an invaluable advantage when confronting a criminal charge or a complicated family issue. Whether you simply want to negotiate the best possible plea offer, or take your case to the jury, there is simply no substitute for having a lawyer with trial experience. Come in and discuss your case with Eric today.

Memberships: Collin County Bar Association, Dallas County Bar Association, Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Licensed by the State Bar of Texas

Educational Background: Texas A & M, University of Texas School of Law

Isaul Verdin - Attorney and Counselor at Law

Isaul Verdin has practiced immigration law since 1999. He has successfully represented clients in complex immigration matters before the 5th and 9th federal circuits, as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Mr. Verdin graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California in 1996 with a degree in International Studies, and a minor in History. He graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1999, where he obtained honors in International Law and began his work in immigration law by volunteering to defend immigrants in removal proceedings.

Mr. Verdin served as a distinguished military officer in the U.S. Army during the Iraq War and received the Meritorious Service Medal. He achieved the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. While in the Army, Mr. Verdin represented hundreds of soldier clients and their spouses to obtain permanent residency and citizenship. He also litigated criminal cases as a Trial Attorney. He received a prestigious appointment from the U.S. Attorney’s Office to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. In this capacity, Mr. Verdin prosecuted hundreds of federal misdemeanor cases..

Mr. Verdin also had the great fortune to work under the tutelage of Joseph Reina, one of the most preeminent immigration lawyers in the United States. While working for Joseph Reina, as a Senior Associate at the law firm of Reina, Bates, & Kowalski, Mr. Verdin successfully litigated hundreds of complex cases at both the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Verdin victoriously argued cases involving withholding of removal, adjustment of status, fraud waivers, criminal waivers, termination, and cancellation of removal.

Mr. Verdin is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He also is admitted to practice in the state of Texas and in the Federal Eastern District of Texas.

Additionally, Mr. Verdin is an avid runner and adventure enthusiast. He has run several marathons and is airborne qualified, as he successfully jumped out of military aircraft while in the military. Mr. Verdin is fluent Spanish and is a student of the French language.

Kelly Benavides - Attorney and Counselor at Law

Originally from Denver, Colorado, Mrs. Kelly Benavides received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado at Denver where she graduated cum laude in 1997. After college, she worked in Human Resources for a trauma hospital in Englewood, Colorado.

In 2002, Kelly studied law at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. While in law school, she participated in legal clinics, and completed internships with an immigration firm and the Bexar County district attorney's office. After admission to the Texas Bar in 2005, she accepted a position as a misdemeanor Assistant Criminal District Attorney with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office in the Victim Protection and Family Justice Unit. As a misdemeanor prosecutor, she tried family violence cases and obtained Protective Orders on behalf of victims of domestic violence. After being promoted to felony prosecutor, she continued to fight fiercely on behalf adult and child victims of both sexual and violent crimes. Criminal prosecution taught Ms. Benavides to fight vigorously for her clients and build a quick rapport with juries; she has participated with much success in many misdemeanor and felony jury trials.

Mrs. Benavides joined the Lucio Firm in early 2009 where she began to practice family law. When handling your case, she will never lose sight of how important your case is to you and its impact upon your loved ones.

Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and their two dogs.

Educational Background: University of Colorado at Denver, St. Mary’s University School of Law

Patrick Jarrett - Attorney and Counselor at Law

Patrick L. Jarrett was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. After high school, he attended the Atlanta Institute of Music where he studied classical and jazz guitar for several years before moving to Savannah, Georgia in 2000. While living in Savannah, Patrick attended Armstrong Atlantic State University to study political science, paying for his education by working as the head guitar instructor at Annie’s Guitars and Drums, whose owner is cousin to the well-known Allman Brothers.

Patrick graduated cum laude from Armstrong Atlantic State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and received his Juris Doctor from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. While in law school he was an active member of the Moot Court Honor Society where he gained invaluable legal advocacy experience. His professional background includes experience in both criminal and family law working with the L.A.W. Center at Central Dallas Ministries, as well as the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

Mr. Jarrett joined the Lucio Firm as an associate attorney in early 2009. In his spare time, Patrick enjoys spending time with his family and pets, playing music, and teaching Sunday school to the youth of Grace Community Presbyterian Church.

Memberships: Texas State Bar, Family Law Section State Bar of Texas,Texas Young Lawyers Association, Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity, Tarrant County Family Law Association, Dallas County Bar Association, Tarrant County Bar Association

Elizabeth Rios - Office Manager

Elizabeth works with our legal team to ensure that each client receives the best service possible. She handles all aspects of law office management including accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll. Elizabeth is also bi-lingual and often assists Spanish speaking clients through the legal process.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and going to the movies.

Jenny Mendez - Legal Assistant/Case Manager

Jenny assists the attorneys with all aspects of case management including legal document drafting and case planning. Jenny also regularly goes to court with the attorneys for most family law issues. If your case is an agreed divorce and you have questions at any point during the process, you can call Jenny with questions.

Carole Patterson - Paralegal

Carole works closely with the attorneys drafting all legal documents and managing client cases to effectively ensure an acceptable resolution in every case. She brings with her over ten years of experience in the legal field, specifically in the areas of Family Law, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Probate and Municipal Law. Carole was born and raised in Dallas, where she graduated from high school in 1976. She attended Mountain View Community College, The University of Texas at Arlington, and received her Paralegal Certificate from The University of North Texas.

In her spare time, Carole enjoys remodeling, vacationing, animals and playing pool.