Darren Tray Payne
Experienced - Integrity - Committed
Tray Payne, a West Texas native from Post, is a seasoned attorney known for his integrity and community commitment. After earning a BBA in Accounting from Texas Tech University in 1996, Tray began his career as an auditor at Bollinger, Segars, Gilbert and Moss. He then attended Oklahoma City University School of Law, excelling in leadership roles and trial competitions.
Tray returned to Lubbock in 2000 to practice law, first as a general practitioner and later as an Assistant District Attorney. He quickly rose to Chief of Homicide by age 31 and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Project Safe Neighborhood initiative. In 2009, Tray founded Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler, where he built a reputation for his dedication to clients and a no-nonsense approach.
Beyond law, Tray taught continuing education courses and served as an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University. He also earned his Texas Real Estate Broker’s license, brokering agents since 2005. Tray is deeply involved in his community, serving on the Board of Parkridge Medical Clinic, the University Medical Center Board of Managers, and coaching Lubbock Challenger Little League.
In 2022, Tray was elected Mayor of Lubbock, focusing on public safety, infrastructure improvements, and supporting first responders. His leadership secured a $200 million bond for road projects, improving Lubbock’s streets and economy. Tray chose not to seek re-election in 2024 but left a lasting impact during his two-year term.
Tray now practices law full-time at Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler, representing businesses, organizations, and the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas. He remains active in community service, volunteering for Lubbock Meals on Wheels and supporting local causes. Tray and his wife, Heidi, are dedicated to their family and Lubbock.
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
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Credit Cards Accepted
We take all major credit cards, excluding AMEX. -
Contingent Fees
We accept contingent fees on personal injury cases only.
- Texas
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- Managing Attorney
- Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler Attorneys at Law
- - Current
- Mayor
- City of Lubbock
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- Adjunct Professor - Rawls College of Business
- Texas Tech University - Texas Tech University
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- Special Assistant US Attorney
- US Attorney's Office
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- Chief of Homicide - Felony Court Chief - Misdemeanor Chief
- Lubbock County District Attorney
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- Student/Clerk/Intern
- Oklahoma City University School of Law
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- Staff Auditor
- Bollinger, Segars, Gilbert and Moss
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- Oklahoma City University School of Law
- J.D. (2000) | Law
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- Texas Tech University - Texas Tech University
- B.B.A. (1996) | Accounting
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- Honors: Business Ambassador Founding Member
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- Post High School
- other (1992)
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- Top 20 under 40
- Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
- Prosecutor of the year
- MADD
- University Medical Center Lubbock
- Board of Managers
- - Current
- Activities: Board Member
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- Lubbock Challenger Little League
- Coach
- - Current
- Activities: Coach, manager and sponsor
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- Texas State Bar # 24028529
- Member
- - Current
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- Lubbock County Bar Association # 24028529
- Committee Chair
- - Current
- Activities: Chair of Law Day Committee
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- Texas Tech Alumni Association
- - Current
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- Texas Business Law
- PPTC
- State of the City Address, Lubbock, Texas
- Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
- Voir Dire Presentation
- Texas District and County Attorney's Association
- Christianity and Politics, Lubbock, Texas
- Texas Tech CRU
- Integrity and the Law, Lubbock, Texas
- Lubbock Police Department
- Evidence in the Courtroom, Plano, Texas
- Plano Capital Institute
- Licensed by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas
- Texas State Bar Association
