For more than 30 years, Parks Huffman McVay Shepard & Wells, P.C. has operated in Arlington, Texas, built around a model of providing legal services that are timely, efficient, and economical. The firm’s name reflects its shareholder structure: David M. Parks, B. Scott Huffman, J. Richard McVay, and Robert P. Shepard each hold shareholder status. In 2025, the firm received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-reviewed rating for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards. The firm is located at 503 E. Border Street, Arlington, Texas 76010, and can be reached at (817) 861-1000.
Practice Areas
Business Law
The firm advises entrepreneurs, established businesses, and organizations on the full range of business legal matters. This includes entity formation and governance, business transactions, acquisitions, contract review and drafting, and general business counsel. The firm emphasizes relationships with business clients who need practical, economically delivered legal advice rather than high-volume commodity transactions.
Construction Law
Construction matters present a distinct set of legal issues: contractor agreements, subcontractor relationships, mechanics’ liens, payment disputes, defect claims, and project completion disputes all require specific knowledge of Texas construction law. The firm represents both contractors and owners in construction-related matters, including contract negotiation before a project begins and dispute resolution when problems arise during or after completion.
Real Estate Law
Real estate work at the firm covers purchase and sale transactions, commercial and residential leasing, title matters, and real estate financing. Texas real property law has specific requirements around contracts, disclosures, and closing procedures. The firm handles these transactions for individuals, businesses, developers, and lenders.
Institutional Lending
The firm represents lenders and financial institutions in lending transactions. This includes loan documentation, security agreements, and enforcement of lender rights when borrowers default. The intersection of institutional lending with real estate and business law makes this a natural complement to the firm’s other practice areas.
Litigation
When disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation, the firm handles civil litigation in Texas state and federal courts. Litigation spans the firm’s practice areas: business disputes, construction contract claims, real estate conflicts, and lender enforcement actions. The firm’s Arlington location provides convenient access to Tarrant County courts and the Northern District of Texas federal court.
Wills, Trusts, Probate & Estate
The firm handles estate planning documents including wills and trusts, as well as trust administration and probate proceedings. For business owner clients, estate planning and business succession planning often overlap; the firm addresses both in a coordinated way.
The Attorneys
David M. Parks holds shareholder status and is licensed with the State Bar of Texas.
B. Scott Huffman holds shareholder status and is licensed with the State Bar of Texas.
J. Richard McVay holds shareholder status and is licensed with the State Bar of Texas.
Robert P. Shepard holds shareholder status and is licensed with the State Bar of Texas.
The firm maintains five attorneys across its practice areas. Individual attorney credentials and bar admission details are available through the State Bar of Texas directory.
Recognition
The firm received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell in 2025. This designation reflects peer assessment of a large number of the attorney’s colleagues ranking them at the highest level of professional excellence. It encompasses legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards. AV Preeminent is the top tier available in the Martindale-Hubbell rating system.
The firm is also a member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.
Location and Service Area
Parks Huffman McVay Shepard & Wells, P.C. serves clients in Arlington and throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The firm’s location at 503 E. Border Street in Arlington is convenient to both Tarrant County and the broader DFW area. The firm can be reached by phone at (817) 861-1000 or through the contact page at https://www.phmsw.com/contact. The firm’s website is https://www.phmsw.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes the firm’s construction law practice from its general business practice?
Construction law involves specific Texas statutes governing contractor licensing, mechanics’ liens, retainage, prompt payment requirements, and construction defect claims. These are distinct from general business contract law. The firm handles both the transactional side (contract drafting before a project begins) and the dispute side (claims and litigation when projects go wrong), and maintains specific knowledge of Texas construction statutes.
Does the firm represent individuals as well as businesses?
Yes. While a significant portion of the firm’s practice is business-oriented, the firm also handles real estate transactions, estate planning, and probate for individuals. Business owner clients often engage the firm for both their business transactions and personal estate planning.
How does institutional lending work intersect with the firm’s real estate practice?
Many real estate transactions involve lender financing. The firm represents financial institutions in originating, documenting, and enforcing loan obligations secured by Texas real property. For clients on the borrower side, the real estate practice covers the same transactions from a different perspective. The firm’s experience on both sides provides context for how these transactions are structured.
What does the AV Preeminent rating reflect?
The AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell reflects evaluation by attorneys and judges who know the rated firm’s work. It is the highest available designation in the Martindale-Hubbell system and covers legal knowledge, communication, and ethics. The 2025 rating reflects current peer assessment.
Is the firm’s estate planning practice available to clients who are not also business clients?
Yes. The firm handles wills, trusts, and probate for individuals without a business law component. Business owner clients often need coordinated business succession and personal estate planning, which the firm addresses together. But individual estate planning clients are served separately as well.