Moses, Palmer & Howell | Attorney Profiles

Our Attorneys

Skilled. Dedicated. Responsive. Knowledgeable.

These are but a few of the adjectives describing the attorneys at MPH, where we take pride in offering the capability and expertise of a larger firm coupled with the flexibility and personal attention afforded by a smaller firm environment. While MPH's history as a firm is relatively short, our attorneys are long on experience. The firm's three named partners—Shayne Moses, David Palmer and Tim Howell—worked together for a number of years at one of Fort Worth's oldest and largest firms before founding MPH in June 2006. All combined, MPH's partners have over 65 years of legal experience. These partners have surrounded themselves with an intelligent and diverse group of associates, who complement the firm's practice areas. Working together as a team, MPH's attorneys strive to provide first-class legal representation specifically tailored to the needs of our clients.

MPH is an AV-rated firm under the Martindale Hubbell rating system. Many of our attorneys have received personal recognition as leading attorneys in their fields.

Please click an attorney name below for a biography.

Shayne D. Moses view resume	David A. Palmer view resume	Timothy D. Howell view resume
Whitney L. Cardwell view resume	Brandon J. Edmundson view resume	Tawanna L. Cesare view resume
Alyson C. Halpern

Whitney L. Cardwell is a partner in the firm whose practice focuses on business transactions and commercial real estate. She has experience in commercial/real estate lending; drafting and negotiating real estate documents, including acquisitions, sales and leases of commercial real estate; mergers and acquisitions (stock and assets) of privately-held companies; and formation and maintenance of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships. Whitney graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance in 1996 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2000. She is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association. She has been recognized as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine.

Tawanna Lynn Cesare is an associate of the firm whose practice focuses primarily on family law and commercial litigation. Tawanna began her practice in 2003 after graduating from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. She is licensed to practice in Texas, as well as before the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas. She has experience in handling complex, large estate divorce matters and other domestic relations matters involving collaborative law, child support, custody, paternity, adoption and grandparent rights. She also has commercial litigation experience involving insurance, banking, personal injury defense and contract disputes. Tawanna received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree summa cum laude from Northwood University in 2000. Tawanna is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association, Chairperson of Family Pathfinders of Tarrant County, Inc., and member and past president of the Tarrant County Black Lawyers Association. She was recognized as a "Top Family Law Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine in 2007 and 2009.

Brandon Edmundson is an associate of the firm whose practice focuses on commercial and business litigation. Having practiced since 2006, he has experience representing both institutional and individual clients in a number of areas, including oil and gas, banking, insurance products, construction, contract and appellate matters. Brandon graduated from Texas A&M University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management. From there, he went on to receive a Juris Doctor from Drake University School of Law in 2006, where he was an Associate Editor of the Drake Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif. Brandon is licensed to practice law in Texas and Minnesota, as well as before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. He maintains memberships in the Texas and Tarrant County Bar Associations, the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Texas Aggie Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. He was also recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly magazine.

Alyson Halpern is an associate of the firm whose practice focuses on commercial and business litigation. Alyson is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Having practiced since 2008, she has experience representing both institutional and individual clients in a number of areas, including oil and gas, banking, contract, family law and appellate matters. Alyson graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with honors in 2005 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Psychology and Spanish. From there, she went on to receive a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University-Dedman School of Law in 2008, where she was an Articles Editor of the Southern Methodist University Law Review and graduated Cum Laude. She maintains memberships in the Texas and Tarrant County Bar Associations, the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association and the Defense Research Institute. In addition to her professional affiliations, Alyson is a member of the Junior Women's Club of Fort Worth and serves on the Women's Health Council at Baylor All Saints Medical Center.

Tim Howell is one of the firm's three founding partners. His practice focuses on commercial and general litigation, with experience before courts and arbitrators in a number of areas, including oil and gas, premises liability, products liability, contract, construction law, insurance, and appellate matters. In addition to his litigation practice, Tim is experienced in negotiating and advising on oil and gas leases, pipeline easements, surface use agreements and other energy-related matters. He also counsels individuals and companies in connection with transactions and various business issues. Tim grew up in the Fort Worth area and graduated with honors from Texas Christian University. He completed his legal studies at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio in 1997, graduating first in his class. After law school, he returned home to Fort Worth and began his legal career. Tim is licensed to practice in the State of Texas and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Texas. Previously, he has been recognized as a "Rising Star" and a "Texas Superlawyer" by Texas Monthlymagazine and as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine. In addition to a number of professional affiliations, Tim is actively involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth, serving as a long-time member, past president and scholarship committee member of its affiliated entity, the Panther Club. He is also a proud supporter of TCU athletics and local youth sports.

Shayne Moses is a founding partner of the firm. After graduating from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1986, Shayne passed the Texas Bar and began his litigation practice. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Shayne has been board certified in Civil Trial Law since 2000. In 2004 Shayne was admitted to practice by the Oklahoma Bar. Shayne is proud to be a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a founding member of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation, a member of Mahon Inn, has been selected as a Texas "Superlawyer" by Texas Monthly magazine since 2004, as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine, and is A.V. rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has extensive experience in representing companies and individuals in a wide array of matters, including but not limited to oil and gas, banking, insurance products, construction, contract and appellate matters. He is experienced in negotiating oil and gas leases, assisting companies with all types of acquisitions and sales, and working on creative means of addressing a variety of business issues. Shayne has also tried complex divorce cases. In addition to his professional interests, Shayne is actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, having served as president and nearly every other position on its board, the Fort Worth Jewish Federation and is a member of Fort Worth Sister Cities.

David Palmer is a founding partner of the firm whose practice focuses on commercial and business litigation. Having practiced since 1995, he has experience representing both institutional and individual clients in a number of areas, including oil and gas, banking, insurance products, construction, contract and appellate matters. He is also experienced in negotiating oil and gas leases. David is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Texas and in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting from Texas A&M University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He maintains memberships in the Texas and Tarrant County Bar Associations, the Texas Association of Defense Counsel, the Texas Aggie Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. He is also a member of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation. In addition to past service on committees for the Tarrant County Bar Association and the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, David has served on the North Texas Advisory Board for the "Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic" charitable organization and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Fort Worth/Tarrant County A&M Club. He has been recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Monthly magazine and as a "Top Attorney" by Fort Worth, Texas magazine.