Attorney Khanay Turner is the managing attorney and owner of the K.Y. Turner Law Firm, PLLC. She is a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and a proud graduate of two HBCUs, Prairie View A&M University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University Attorney Khanay has always been an activist and a social engineer since her time at Prairie View A&M University and throughout law school. Prior to launching the K.Y. Turner Law Firm, Attorney Khanay had an extensive career within government and public affairs. She has served as Chief of Staff for Texas State Representative Toni Rose, Executive Director for the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, and the Political Outreach Director for the Beto O’Rourke Senatorial Campaign. Attorney Khanay is still heavily involved with community grassroots outreach, as she serves as the Executive Director for the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute. During both undergraduate and law school, Attorney Khanay has interned for Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, Congressman Marc Veasey’s campaign, National Parks Service, Wendy Davis’ gubernatorial campaign, Earl Carl Institute for Legal and Social Justice, and the U.S. Attorney Office of the Southern District of Texas. Attorney Khanay aspires to be the voice for the voiceless of all disenfranchised people. Attorney Khanay is an active member of the following organizations:
-Fort Worth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
-L Clifford Davis Legal Association
-Leadership Fort Worth
-Every Body Texas, Board of Directors
-Black Women Lawyers Association-Tarrant County

khanay@kyturnerlawfirm.com

Senior Associate

Sheena Winkfield is a Senior Associate in Varghese Summersett’s Criminal Defense Division, where her primary focus is defending clients facing serious felony charges. Before transitioning to private practice, Sheena served as a felony prosecutor in Tarrant and Dallas Counties, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in criminal law, high-stakes trials, and case strategy.

During her legal career, Sheena has handled virtually every type of criminal case, ranging from DWI to capital murder, as well as federal offenses. She is a formidable trial attorney known for her strong presence, persuasive arguments, and ability to handle complex cases under pressure.

Outside the courtroom, Sheena is a dedicated advocate for her clients, offering clear guidance and support during what is often a difficult and uncertain time in their lives. She takes the time to understand each client’s unique situation, ensuring they are well informed and prepared at every stage of their criminal case.

Background

Sheena grew up in Arlington, where she graduated from Martin High School. She attended Texas A&M University, where she graduated in 2007 with a political science degree. After college, she worked as a substitute teacher for Fort Worth ISD before pursuing a law degree at Texas A&M University School of Law.

After excelling in law school, Sheena served as a prosecutor at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for nearly five years before joining the Dallas District Attorney’s Office. As a felony prosecutor, she handled every type of homicide and violent crime, including aggravated assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults.

Now applying that experience and insider knowledge to criminal defense, Sheena zealously represents her clients, working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome in each case.
In her free time, Sheena enjoys working out, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Nicholas J. Coward is a personal injury attorney at one of the premier personal injury firms in the DFW area. Before graduating from the Texas A&M University School of Law, he served as the president of the school’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

Nic also participated in a team that successfully petitioned for an executive grant of clemency, while working at Texas A&M’s Criminal Defense Clinic. Additionally, during law school he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Eric Moyè.

Prior to enrolling in law school, Nic worked in business development for Fortune 50 companies, AT&T and UPS. After 12 years of assisting small businesses with their growth, Nic decided to begin working toward achieving his lifelong goal of becoming a lawyer. He attended the University of Texas at Arlington, where he obtained a Bachelors of Arts in  Communications and an MBA.

Nic is a proud husband and father of two boys. He loves cooking, sports, and german shepherds.

n_coward@sbcglobal.net

Partner

Tiffany Burks is a highly-regarded, universally respected criminal lawyer with more than 24 years of trial experience. When she walks into the courtroom, she brings her A-game — and the other side knows it. High-profile clients, including current NFL players, have chosen Tiffany to represent them for good reason.

Prior to becoming a Partner at Varghese Summersett, Tiffany served as a prosecutor for 24 years, earning a reputation as a tough but fair lawyer. She is driven, dedicated, and passionate about the law and justice.

Tiffany started her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Fort Bend County shortly after graduating from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in 1997. Faith and family later drew her back to North Texas, where she served as a prosecutor in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for 22 years. She rose through the ranks, retiring in 2021 as a Deputy Chief prosecutor over the criminal division.

Over the past two decades, Tiffany has handled thousands of cases, ranging from misdemeanors to murders – and everything in between, including juvenile, gang, and gun crimes. She is at home in the courtroom but also enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with associate attorneys, a supervisory role she fills at Varghese Summersett.

Tiffany has also served on numerous boards, including the Board of Regents of Midwestern State University and as former president of the L. Clifford Davis Legal Association. She has also won numerous awards, including the L.Clifford Davis Legal Excellence Award, the Trailblazer Award, and Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law from Texas Lawyer Magazine.

When she is not in the courtroom, Tiffany enjoys teaching, giving back to her community, and spending time with her family.

Mrs.  Burns is a Fort Worth native and received a B.S. degree from Texas Christian University in 1982 and a J.D. degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1986 where she was a member of Law Review and Moot Court.  She was a briefing attorney for Justice David Keltner at the 2nd  Court of Appeals from 1986- 1987.  She joined the Denton County District Attorney’s office as the Chief of the Appellate Division in 1987 where she remained until 1991.   Mrs. Burns opened the Law Offices of GWINDA L. BURNS in 1991.  During her 20 plus years of appellate and trial experience, she has engaged in countless appeals and represented clients at the 2nd  Court of Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals in
Austin, 5th  Circuit of Appeals and the United Supreme Court.  Her trial experience ranges from State misdemeanor and felony courts to Federal courts.  Mrs. Burns formerly served as a Public Defender for the Tarrant County DIRECT Court for over 10 years.  She has also handled business and personal tax warrants for the Tarrant County Tax Assessor.

Mrs. Burns opened the Law Offices of GWINDA L. BURNS in 1991.

Her clients include corporations, small businesses and individuals in a variety of contexts, focusing principally in criminal, civil, commercial litigation and business related torts.

Mrs. Burns was the 2014 Tarrant County Democratic Nominee for Judge of the 297th Criminal District Court.

In November 2017 Mrs. Burns opened the BURNS MEDIATIONS FIRM.

Mrs.  Burns is married to Attorney Jesse Gaines and they have two sons, Lee and Lyn.

Mrs.  Burns is licensed by the State Bar of Texas and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts, Northern District of Texas, Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.  Mrs. Burns has served as a distinguished board member of the DRS North Texas, Inc., The Greater FW Area Civic Leaders Association, The Greater FW Community Charities, Back 2 School Round-Up, TCC Paralegal Advisory Board, Harris Health Exchange, Fort Worth Parks & Recreation, INSEAM, Inc. and the Young Women’s Leadership Academy in Fort Worth.  She enjoys mentoring youth and has personally awarded over 30 scholarships to graduating seniors from Fort Worth ISD and Arlington ISD.

She has received various Awards and recognitions including but are not limited to:
1. National College of District Attorneys
2. Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
3. Volunteer Attorney of the Year – Legal Aid of Northwest Texas
4. Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association
5. Life Fellow of Tarrant County Bar Foundation
6. Former President of L. Clifford Davis Bar Association

Published Articles
Burns, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW-FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION, Vol. 10, Thurgood Marshal Law Review 615 (Spring 1985).  *Also published on Westlaw.

Keltner, PROTECTING THE RECORD FOR APPEAL, Advanced Civil Trial Course (State Bar of Texas 1987).  *Gwinda Burns research assistant.

Narsutis & Burns, ALIBI IN TEXAS 54 Texas Bar Journal 948 (1991).  *Also cited in the 23rd Annual Advanced Criminal Law Course, Defense Section page 13.

glblawoffice@yahoo.com

firm@johnson-vaughn-heiskell.com