Our attorneys
A Firm with Family Roots.
Our attorneys spent decades maintaining complex business practices in the largest markets in Texas. Now we're bringing that experience home.
For over three decades, Don Schmidt and Penny Raney secured millions of dollars in jury verdicts and closed dozens of high-stakes real estate and oil and gas transactions in Dallas, Texas. During that same time, Leslie Kay Ritchie, a sixth-generation Texas lawyer from Palo Pinto County, earned her trial pedigree working at the Texas Legislature, the Texas Supreme Court, and then 15 years in major commercial law firms specializing in administrative litigation, appeals and legislative affairs.
Now that we have settled west, we’re building a practice rooted in family. Kate Mueller, Don’s daughter, brings her criminal and family law practice to round out the full array of Firm offerings.
Founding partnerDonal R. Schmidt, Jr.
Donal R. Schmidt, Jr. brings a trial lawyer’s judgment and a businessman’s perspective to complex legal problems. Over nearly three decades, he has represented clients in state and federal courts, secured multimillion-dollar jury verdicts, and guided significant real estate and oil and gas transactions. His approach starts with understanding what is at stake and then building an efficient strategy that wins.
Don’s experience extends beyond the law. A retired CPA with an MBA in Finance and an M.S. in Accounting, he understands the financial issues that often determine a case’s value and a transaction’s success. He has served as an expert witness in economics, tax law, business valuation, and forensic accounting. That background helps him examine financial evidence, assess risk, and connect legal strategy to business objectives.
Don graduated early and with honors from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, now Texas A&M University School of Law, where he served on Law Review.
After spending much of his career in Dallas, Don brings that experience home to North and West Texas. From his ranch in Comanche County, he understands firsthand the responsibilities of owning land, operating businesses, and providing for a family. He also serves his community through board work with Disciples of the Way and EarthX.
Whether a client needs candid business counsel or an experienced advocate at trial, Don brings financial insight, practical judgment, and a clear focus on resolving the problem.
Founding partnerLeslie Kay Ritchie
Leslie Kay Ritchie is a North Texas native and sixth-generation Texas lawyer with roots in Palo Pinto County. She brings roughly 25 years of experience in Texas legislative and regulatory matters, including 15 years handling litigation and government affairs at major law firms in Austin and Fort Worth.
Leslie served three legislative sessions working for Phil King, then a Parker County state representative and now a state senator representing North Texas. Her work with the Texas House on Regulated Industries and constituent affairs gave her firsthand insight into how legislation, agency decisions, and county and municipal governments affect businesses. Her practice combines legislative strategy, administrative litigation, regulatory counseling, business litigation, and state and federal appeals, with extensive experience in oil and gas, public utilities, and oilfield services disputes.
Leslie served as a briefing attorney to Justice Paul W. Green of the Supreme Court of Texas and interned for Hon. Phil Johnson of the Texas Supreme Court and Chief Justice Linda B. Thomas of Dallas’s Fifth Court of Appeals. She earned a B.S. with Highest Honors and a J.D. with High Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
A Fort Worth native, Leslie returned home in 2017 to practice with Kelly, Hart & Hallman before helping establish the Fort Worth office of the Philadelphia-based national law firm, Duane Morris. She also taught insurance law to J.D., LL.M., and MBA candidates as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University School of Law.
Today, in addition to her thriving litigation practice, Leslie brings her Austin experience and North Texas perspective to clients all over the country seeking to navigate the intersection of Texas law, local government and politics.
AttorneyPenny L. Raney
Penny Raney is an attorney and certified mediator with 39 years in practice, including 35 years in Dallas. She brings deep expertise in corporate law, commercial litigation, estate planning and debt collection/defense. She began her career as an associate at leading firms, where she advised Fortune 500 companies on complex disputes involving product liability, medical malpractice, business law, and regulatory compliance.
As co-founder of Raney & Schmidt, P.C., Penny managed a successful law firm while representing clients in diverse cases ranging from securities fraud to insurance claims. She later served as General Counsel for several oil and gas exploration companies, guiding them through litigation, corporate compliance, risk management, and major transactions.
Since 2016, Penny has owned and operated her private law practice, providing individuals and businesses with tailored legal solutions. Her work includes business formation (LLCs, LLPs, corporations), contract drafting, civil litigation, debt collection and estate planning. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail, extensive legal research skills (honed as a former professor of legal writing at SMU Law School) and her ability to build lasting trust with clients.
Penny earned her J.D. from Southern Methodist University School of Law, where she served as Associate Editor of the Law Review and graduated in the top 15% of her class. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Clients value Penny’s approachable style, thoughtful legal guidance, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes—qualities that have defined her 39 years in practice.
AttorneyKate Mueller
Kate Mueller brings the Firm a wealth of criminal and family law experience, having interned with the felony Family Violence division in the San Antonio District Attorney’s Office. She recently graduated from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she was frequently recognized on the Dean’s List for her academic achievements. She served as a staff writer for St. Mary’s Law Review, The Journal.
After law school, Kate moved her growing family back home to Stephenville, Texas, where she was born. In her spare time, she helps maintain her family ranch and cattle operations that span Erath and Comanche counties.
