Debi Means, one of the founding shareholders of Addison Law Firm, has represented club management personnel and hotel/restaurant operators for over sixteen years regarding legal issues related to the operation and management of numerous clubs, hotels, restaurants and resorts.  Ms. Means’ experience includes drafting and negotiating operational and employment contracts, creation of private membership plans, preparation of membership documentation, including bylaws and applications, interpretation of lease agreements, and mediation of member-related disputes.

 Ms. Means has also served the unique regulatory needs of the hospitality industry, including liquor licensing, taxation, and operations.  In addition to obtaining all operational and liquor permits required to open and operate private clubs, resorts, hotels and restaurants, she has worked closely with management personnel to address the requirements of maintaining such permits and resolving any violations which occur while such permits are in place.  Representative clients include 7-Eleven, ClubCorp USA, Inc., Arnold Palmer Golf Management Company, Evergreen Alliance Golf Group, Pizza Hut, California Pizza Kitchen, Tony Roma’s, Texas Wings, Pappas Restaurants, Inc., Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Doubletree Hotels, Westin Stonebriar Resort, Metromedia Restaurant Group and Gaylord Hotels.

 Numerous educational seminars and continuing education programs for professionals in the hospitality industry have included Ms. Means as a featured speaker.  She has developed and presented educational seminars for the Club Managers Association of America, National Association of Catering Executives, International Association of Hospitality Accountants, Professional Club Marketing Association, Lorman Educational Systems and several regional hospitality industry associations.  In addition to her responsibilities with Addison Law Firm, Ms. Means currently serves on the advisory council for the National Club Association.

 A licensed CPA, Ms. Means earned her undergraduate accounting degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and practiced public accounting as a senior auditor with a national accounting firm in Dallas for several years before obtaining her law degree.  She completed her legal education at the University of Texas School of Law.  Ms. Means maintains her professional accounting license as well as her license to practice law.  She has served as an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern Paralegal Institute in Dallas.  Ms. Means is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Dallas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.