DALLAS / AGILITYPR.NEWS / February 03, 2025 / DALLAS- John Gessner and Donna Yarborough recently joined Steptoe & Johnson PLLC’s Business Department as Members. Both will be in the firm’s Dallas office.

“We’re happy to welcome John and Donna to our firm,” said Christopher L. Slaughter, CEO of Steptoe & Johnson. “Both are seasoned attorneys in their respective practices and have impressive capabilities and experience that will contribute to the firm’s commercial and private client teams.” Slaughter continued, “We are deepening and broadening the bench in our growing Dallas and Texas-based offices. It is a major focus for the Firm.”

Gessner’s practice focuses on food, beverage, and hospitality law. He has been advising clients for over 30 years on strategic planning, financing, corporate formation and governance, real estate and leasing, employment and human resources, franchising, liquor laws and licensing, litigation, and restructuring. He has served as general counsel to both national franchisees and franchisors and is the former president and chair of the Texas Restaurant Association.

Yarborough brings nearly 25 years of experience guiding clients through complex legal issues in estate administration, as well as litigation involving will contests, trusts, and all aspects of estate guardianships. Her extensive estate and trust litigation work includes removing and defending executors and trustees, proving common law spousal relationships, and preventing the dissipation of estate assets by securing temporary administrations. She has been featured in several publications about estate administration issues.

Gessner earned his law degree from Tulane University School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas. Yarborough earned her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University. Both are licensed to practice in Texas.

About Steptoe & Johnson

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of know-how in the areas of business, labor and employment, and litigation. Steptoe & Johnson has over 400 lawyers and other professionals practicing in 18 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. Visit and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

For more information, contact Ryan Daniels, Chief Marketing Officer, at (614) 456-1647 or by email: press@steptoe-johnson.com.

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