Jim Dunnam is a Board Certified Specialist in both Civil Trial Law and Family Law. Jim was born and has spent his entire life in Waco. He graduated from Baylor University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and from Baylor Law School in 1987 with a Juris Doctor degree.
Since being licensed by to practice law in 1988, Jim has worked as a member of Dunnam & Dunnam, where he is a partner.
Jim was named Young Lawyer of the Year by Baylor University in 2001. Among other positions, Jim has served on the Texas Supreme Court Rules Advisory Committee and the Texas Sunset Advisory Committee, during which time he oversaw the full evaluation and re-authorization of the State Bar of Texas and the State Board of Law Examiners. He has also been listed as a Texas Super Lawyer.
In addition to being licensed to appear before the Texas Supreme Court and all other Texas Courts, he is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals (Fifth Circuit), and the U.S. District Court (Western District of Texas).
Jim is a Public Policy Fellow through the University of Texas School of Law Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, a Credentialed Mediator in the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, and a member of the Waco-McLennan County Bar Association.
Jim Dunnam has been certified as a specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the practice of Civil Trial Law since 1994 and Family Law since 1995. In addition to those two specialties, he engages in the practice of Appellate Law, Business Law, Commercial Law, Consumer Law, Criminal Law, General Law, and Personal Injury Law.
During his 14 years as a Texas State Representative, Jim served on the House Select Committee on Judicial Interpretation of the Law and on the House committee responsible for oversight of Family Law and the Texas Family Code. Jim has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:
– 2011 Star of Texas Award, Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom
– Named one of “The Most Influential Lawmakers of 2009” by the Associated Press
– Called “The Third Most Powerful Member of the Texas House in 2009” by Capitol Inside Online Magazine
– Honored as one of the 2007 “Ten Best Legislators” by Capitol Inside Online Magazine
– Designated as a 2007 “Honorable Mention” by Texas Monthly Magazine
– Received the 2007 “Smart on Crime Award” from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
– Named one of the 2005 “Ten Best Legislators” by Capitol Inside Online Magazine
– Named one of the 2003 “Ten Best Legislators” by Capitol Inside Online Magazine
– Named one of the 2003 “Top Five in the House” by GalleryWatch
– Called a 2003 “Legislative Star” by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association
– Recognized as the 2002 “Champion for Children” by the Equity Center
– Named one of the 2001 “Ten Best Legislators” by Texas Monthly Magazine
– Named one of the 2001 “Top Five in the House” by GalleryWatch
– Called “The 2001 Star of Texas” by Common Cause Texas
– Designated as the “Statewide 2001 Texas PTA Legislator of the Year” by Texas PTA
– Recognized as a 2001 “Heart of Honor” by the American Heart Association
– Called a 2001 “Friend of Education” by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association
– Received the 2001 Legislative Leadership Award from the National Associations of Allstate, State Farm and United Farmers Agents
– Recognized as a “Comer” in the 1999 Texas Monthly – Best Legislators Edition
– Received the 1999 “Golden Apple Award” from Texas Mid-Size School Association
– Received the 1999 “Excellence in Leadership Award” from the Texas Association of Rural Schools
– Named the 1999 “Texas PTA Legislative Guardian – District 12” by Texas PTA
– Honored as the 1999 “Honorary Life Member” by the Texas Association of Community Schools
– Received the 1999 “Distinguished Service Award” from the Vocational Agriculture Teacher Association
– Awarded “Special Recognition” in 1999 by the Texas Rural Education Association
Jim has been married for over 26 years, and has 3 children.
