Donna Phillips Wood, Founder

Originally from East Texas, I came to Dallas to attend SMU, where I met my husband who lived across the hall from me freshman year. After receiving undergraduate degrees in French, Philosophy, and Foreign Languages (Spanish & German), I continued on at SMU Dedman School of Law for my J.D. During law school, I interned at the Dallas County Probate Court as well as an estate planning firm in DFW.

The summer after I graduated law school, family circumstances led me to the other side of the probate process when I lost three close family members within just a few weeks. Going through this personally several times- trying to balance “getting things done” with the emotions that accompany deep loss- has shaped how I approach estate planning and probate. My goal is to get my clients through the probate court system as painlessly as possible, and to explore all options when addressing estate planning, so that probate court is avoided, if possible.

Over the years, I have expanded my practice to include probate and estate litigation in order to be able to serve my clients throughout the duration of their matter, so that you will not need to find new counsel if your case becomes contested at any point. My estate planning work has evolved to encompass the niche area of digital asset and crypto planning. I developed an exclusive Crypto Trust, which specifically addresses the complexities of planning for digital assets and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, particularly when the assets are held on a cold wallet.
Outside of work, I can usually be found playing Nintendo with my kids, a chihuahua or two in my lap or at my heels at (almost) all times. Our newest addition Pearl accompanies me to work regularly and likes to peek into the conference room to check out new clients. I am the team manager for my daughter’s softball team, and my son and I enjoy taking special “just us” trips to art museums.  With what little remaining free time I can find, I am typically engaged in reading, taking classes, or participating in discussion groups related to my interests in socionics and personality typology, with particular emphasis on the Enneagram.

Professional Affiliation

• State Bar of Texas: Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law (REPTL) Section Member
• Texas Bar College
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Board Member: VP Awards Ceremony, 2024-2026
• Collin County Bar Association: Attorney Moms: Events Chair, 2023-2024; President-Elect, 2024-2025; President, 2025-2026; Estate Planning & Probate Section Board Member 2026-
• Dallas Bar Association: Probate, Trusts, & Estates Section
• Volunteer, Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program; Recipient of the 2024 “Outstanding Solo Practitioner” Award