We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Emma Hackney on November 30, 2025. Emma was a bright young attorney, a dedicated community servant, and a person of kindness and integrity. She was vivacious, kind, driven, and unfailingly funny—a hard worker with a positive nature and a kindhearted disposition who lifted everyone around her. We honor her life, her work, and the profound impact she leaves on our firm and the wider legal and civic communities.

“Emma’s passing has devastated our team to its core and left a hole in our collective hearts,” said Debbie Robinowitz, partner and chair of the Finance & Banking practice group. “While Emma was a bright and talented attorney who displayed great potential, what we will miss most is the fabulous person that she was. Emma was warm, thoughtful, and a friend to all. Emma, and the sparkle in her eyes, her humor, and her infectious giggle, will be missed forever.”

“While Emma was a bright and talented attorney who displayed great potential, what we will miss most is the fabulous person that she was.”

Service to Community

Emma devoted her time and talents in service to organizations making a meaningful difference, including the Alzheimer’s Association and Dallas Scottish Rite for Children. Before attending law school, Emma worked at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas for several months, an experience that deepened her commitment to helping children and families and informed her lifelong dedication to service. Whether volunteering, advocating, or lending a steady hand behind the scenes, Emma approached community service with the same dedication she brought to her practice.

Partner Michelle Vincent Parker reflected, “Emma was a beautiful soul who touched everyone she met. Not only was she a phenomenal lawyer, but she was also a bright light to all around her.  We miss her immensely.”

“Not only was she a phenomenal lawyer, but she was also a bright light to all around her.

Mentorship and Character

While still at the outset of her career, Emma was already mentoring younger attorneys—both as a professional guide and as a friend. She had a unique ability to make everyone feel seen and valued, offering thoughtful advice and encouragement while also focusing intently on her own development into a top-performing attorney. Her colleagues remember her generosity with her time, her patience in explaining complex issues, and her instinct to elevate others.

Partner Courtney Bristow shared, “Emma’s personality shined as bright as her talent. She always managed to put people and positivity first, which can be difficult in our demanding profession. She was kind, hardworking, uplifting, and a great friend. We will miss her dearly.”

“She was kind, hardworking, uplifting, and a great friend. We will miss her dearly.”

Partner Andrew Ingrum said, “Being a ‘good person’ is the highest compliment that I know to give. But it falls short in describing Emma. Emma was an amazing person. Her quick smile and charismatic warmth made life a little brighter and brought out the best in people. I am a better person for having known her.”

“Her quick smile and charismatic warmth made life a little brighter and brought out the best in people.”

Professional Achievements

Emma devoted her career to the practice of banking and finance law, earning the trust and respect of clients, colleagues, and counterparts across the table. She represented banks, private equity funds, insurance companies, and other financial institutions, as well as corporate entities, in roles as both lenders and borrowers. Her counsel was sought on a full range of real estate, commercial, and corporate lending transactions.

Partner David S. Stolle said, “Emma was a smart, intuitive young lawyer with a bright future ahead of her. More importantly, she was a good person and a joy to be around. Her enthusiasm and positive nature were infectious. Her passing has left a void that will take a long time to fill.”

“Her enthusiasm and positive nature were infectious. Her passing has left a void that will take a long time to fill.”

In her commercial lending practice, Emma guided clients through a variety of complex financing structures, navigating intricate deal dynamics. In her real estate finance practice, Emma represented lenders in construction, interim, and permanent financing transactions secured by a wide range of real property assets, including multifamily properties, industrial parks, office complexes, senior housing facilities, hotels, shopping centers, and medical office buildings. Even early in her career, Emma was known as a diligent, top-performing attorney in the making—someone who balanced excellence in execution with genuine care for the people involved in every matter.

Emma is survived by her mother, Dr. Gail Hackney; her sister, Maggie Pinholster; and her longtime boyfriend, Franklin Fotopoulos. We will carry forward the example she set—of excellence in practice, service to others, and kindness in all things.