Elliott and Lisa Burdette’s story is filled with rich experiences and a strong connection. Lisa’s roots in Cartersville and Newnan, Georgia, where her father owned 200 acres and nurtured longhorn cattle, pear trees, grapevines, and crops, gave her a close connection to the land and a love for nature. Her mother, Pat Burton, is 87 and still resides in Sharpsburg, Georgia where you can often find her making wonderful peach preserves. Previously married and widowed, Lisa has six children. With four of them already living in Texas, she made the decision to move to Texas as well. Elliott and Lisa have seven children in their blended family. Elliott’s daughter, Claire, attended Bradfield and graduated from HPHS in 2011. She is married to John Sager and both are attorneys and, along with Elliott are all SMU Law grads , with Claire graduating Magna Cum Laude. They have a son, Dutch, and are expecting another child soon. Lisa’s children are: Jim, an attorney and graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and his wife, Huamin, an accountant, their daughter Maria, with another baby on the way; Sam, an attorney and a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and his wife, Dr. Jenna Long, DVM, have two sons, Quince and William; Charles is a graduate of West Point Military Academy and is a resident in Oral and Maxilofacial surgery and his wife, Racheal, will soon begin studies to become an Orthodontist, and are expecting their first child; John, a graduate of West Point academy and his wife, Chloe, have two daughters, Alice and Margot; Lainie, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and studying law, is married to Luke Hoffer, a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy.

They have two children, Lila and Lincoln; Lindy is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and her husband, Tyler Jones, are both Captains in the U.S. Air Force and are stationed in Abilene. They have two sons, Jett and Dash. Elliott’s background, originating from western Pennsylvania and his family’s move to Texas, highlights his father’s determination to provide a better future for his children. “My father had a general store in Pennsylvania, but the economy there wasn’t strong at that time,” shared Elliott. “He realized that with six kids, he needed a location with a better future. He and a friend packed up and traveled by car for six months looking for a new place to call home. They visited California, Florida, and Texas, ultimately deciding on The Lone Star State due to the friendliness he experienced while visiting.” They moved just before Elliott’s 4th grade year, and he still remembers the heat. Elliott’s educational journey began at Kimball High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Texas at Austin. “I later talked my dad into attending the American University in Paris, an international liberal arts school,” explained Elliott. “I went for a year and met people from all over the world.” This opportunity furthered his global perspective and his belief in the value of a liberal arts education. He reconnected with an AUP alumni group 10 years ago and was later invited to join the Board of Trustees. “This is an important part of my life,” said Elliott. “I believe in a global liberal arts education and the dedication of AUP to consistently enrolling a diverse group of students from over 100 countries.” Meeting through a friend and sharing their first date at Al Biernat’s marked the beginning of a special journey for Elliott and Lisa. The instant connection they felt during their initial conversations and their recent two-year anniversary celebration speak volumes about the depth of their bond. Their shared love for travel has taken them to diverse places, including the romantic streets of Paris and the Périgord region of France for their honeymoon, a thrilling safari in Tanzania and Kenya, and explorations in Cape Cod, California, and plans for Israel this fall. It’s clear that Lisa and Elliott’s love for travel and new experiences is a testament to their adventurous spirits. The Burdettes stay busy in the community from work to recreational activities. Professionally, Elliott’s impressive 42-year career in law, particularly at Glast, Phillips, and Murray Law Firm, reflects his dedication to safeguarding people’s legacies and ensuring beneficiaries receive their rightful inheritance. Lisa, the founder of The Dallas School of Etiquette, graduated from Auburn University where she earned a degree in Education. She has a

passion for helping youth and young adults develop the social, leadership, and communication skills needed to succeed through all aspects of their lives. She was also recently hired as an Education Instructional Assistant at Bradfield Elementary. When they are not busy with their careers, you can find them at Royal Oaks playing pickleball or attending church at St. Michael’s

Episcopal Church where Lisa also serves at the St. Michael’s Woman’s Exchange and teaches Sunday School. Lisa’s underlying belief that a family thrives when centered around God exemplifies their strong values and their aspiration to inspire others to have the same relationship. Their appreciation for the blessings in their lives, from St. Michaels to the people they serve and the friendships they cherish, illustrates their gratitude and positivity. Overall, Lisa and Elliott’s story is one of shared values, mutual respect, and a zest for life. Their journey through various experiences, both challenging and exhilarating, has fortified their connection and provided them with a foundation upon which to build a remarkable life together. This is a couple who not only appreciates their own journey but also strives to uplift those around them through their actions and beliefs.

“The Art Of Caring For Others Art Auction and Reception” Set to Unveil a Night of Generosity and Creativity

On February 29th, 2024, the Dallas Country Club will host an exquisite evening dedicated to philanthropy and creativity at “The Art Of Caring For Others Art Auction and Reception.” This event aims to raise vital funds for Christ’s Family Clinic, offering essential healthcare services to those in need.

The event will commence with a VIP Reception at 6:00 pm, followed by the main event from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, transforming the Dallas Country Club into a hub of artistic generosity.

Diane and Daryl Johnston, renowned for their commitment to charitable causes, will grace the occasion as our featured guests. Their insights into the significance of supporting organizations like Christ’s Family Clinic promise to inspire and motivate attendees.

“The Art Of Caring For Others” will spotlight a captivating art auction, showcasing the masterpieces of local artists. 

“We’re honored to have Diane and Daryl Johnston join us and share their passion for supporting vital healthcare services. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.” – Haley Dale, Executive Director 

Join us at “The Art Of Caring For Others Art Auction and Reception” to experience an evening of philanthropy, artistry, and compassion. Let’s come together to make healthcare accessible for all.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://givebutter.com/artofcaring2024.

For more information about Christ’s Family Clinic and to discover how you can support their mission, please visit https://christsfamilyclinic.org/.

Media Contact:

Haley Dale

Executive Director

haley@christsfamilyclinic.org

214.354.3653

About Christ’s Family Clinic:

Christ’s Family Clinic is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing quality primary care services to underserved populations in our community. Through the support of donors, volunteers, and community members, the Clinic continues to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. 

In the heart of Highland Park reside Jeffrey and Yasmin Simon, two individuals whose lives intertwined through litigation, love, and a shared commitment to their Park Cities haven. Yasmin is a fist generation American, and her family emigrated to the United States from England. With her brother being born in England, Yasmin is the only born American in the family. _ey initially lived in New York, but when she was

three years old, they moved to the small town of Quincy, Illinois, about 20 minutes away from Hannibal, Missouri. She later attended college in Nashville at Vanderbilt and law school at Boston College before ultimately ending up in Chicago. Yasmin’s former law partner used to try cases in Texas, several of which were against Jeffrey. The two first met during a conference and saw each other again year after year at

the same event. Yasmin shared, “Many moons later, we were both divorced and began dating long distance before I eventually moved to Texas. I like to say I got here as fast as I could.” Jeffrey, a Dallas resident for three decades, traces his roots to Fort Worth and the halls of the University of Texas School of Law. He moved to Dallas in 1993 to take his first attorney job at the firm of Baron and Budd. In 2006, Jeffrey opened his own law firm, Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC, which has thrived and worked to improve consumer safety and public health for the last 17 years. Yasmin and Jeffrey have three children. _e oldest is 22 and just graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. the middle is 19 and a sophomore at Georgetown, while the youngest is 14 and an eighth grader at Hockaday. “Our daughter

is a wise soul, a 14-year-old going on 30,” Jeffrey muses. The Simon family is complete with two rescue dogs. “When we met, Jeffrey had two rescued black labs, Guinness and Scout,” explained Yasmin. “they lived to be 12 and 14, passing away just weeks apart. We waited a couple weeks before going to Operation Kindness to see what they had. We went there just to pet some dogs, but there was this yellow lab named Jacob.” Jacob, affectionately known as Jake, came home with them that day. They were informed that Jake had been adopted out and returned, and they later found out why. “He ate almost the entire kitchen, the chairs, the floorboards, and he ate shoes,” said Jeffrey and Yasmin. “Thankfully he is now a very relaxed gentleman!” Jake became a part of the family during COVID, and when Yasmin and Jeffrey returned to office work, they knew that Jake needed a friend. They took Jake with them to an adoption event where they found a seemingly docile, friendly hound who looks like a Beagle. Jake was sold on her, and Gracie became the newest member of the Simon family. “She also became the boss of everyone,” said Yasmin. “She gleefully spends her days stalking squirrels and birds in the backyard. She’s a hunting dog who is just plying her trade in the middle of Highland Park!” The Simons’ professional lives reflect a dedication to justice and advocacy. “I represent small companies, Fortune 500 companies, energy companies (of various sizes), and other types of manufacturers in product liability and environmental actions,” stated Yasmin. “But it is my pro bono work that feeds my soul. I’ve worked on behalf of migrants in asylum cases, including people arriving at our southern

border, as well as for people fleeing Africa and Afghanistan. When we pulled the troops out of Afghanistan, it le_ a lot of our interpreters and people who assisted the military in a bind. Many of them applied for asylum, and along with my colleagues, I’ve worked on their behalf. I also work in election protection, ensuring all people, regardless of political affiliation, have access to the polls.” Fueled by her

love for the Park Cities community, Yasmin has embarked on a new journey, as she is running to represent Texas House District 108. Meanwhile, Jeffrey, a career plaintiff ’s lawyer, represents people in communities that sue what they allege to be big polluters or big wrongdoers. “Sometimes those are Yasmin’s clients though not in the same litigation,” Jeffrey explained. “We’ve never been opposite each other, but our firms are sometimes opposite each other.” Jeffrey is also the chair of the Plaintiff ’s Steering Committee in opioid litigation in Texas, channeling billions to Texas for combating the opioid crisis. He is also a published author, and his recent book, “Last Rights, The Fight to Save the Seventh Amendment,” demonstrates his fierce commitment to protecting every American’s right to trial by jury.

When they aren’t busy working, the family loves to travel, with Key West and Snowmass Village in the Aspen Valley being among their favorite destinations. the whole family plays golf, tennis, and enjoys snow skiing. Though they love to travel, they equally love life in the Park Cities. “We love the parks, businesses, and the unique charm of Snider Plaza and Highland Park Village,” they shared. “The ability

to walk to our favorite locations like Abbott Park and Court Two by the creek summarizes the essence of what makes the Park Cities a truly special place to live.”

Nina Sachse is a realtor with the Rhodes Group (Compass). In 2000, she moved to Dallas to attend SMU, where she wore the Mustang’s red and blue colors, at first as a member of the school’s diving program and then its cheerleading squad. Crimson is a cooler shade of red and when paired with blue, you get the colors of the University of Kansas (KU), where her husband, Decker Sachse (a Tulsa native) received his bachelor’s degree before landing in Dallas for work (he is an attorney). The two met here at a clothing store in the West Village almost 13 years ago. Nina was working there as a buyer and Decker (who goes by “Deck”) was shopping for a KU t-shirt. He later proposed to her in that same t-shirt and the two were married in Chicago in 2009, almost 3 years after their first date which happened in the Windy City, at Lollapalooza where one of Deck’s music clients was performing. Nina’s path to real estate was a natural one. Growing up in a small town in central Illinois (Peoria), everyone knew her mother, Mary Ann Knell, who continually had a top producing team and was a leader in the real estate industry. Nina lost her mother to cancer in 2014, just about a month before their son Sam (now 8) was born. Her mother’s successful real estate career in Illinois left a lasting impression on Nina. “Real estate was her world, and so it became our world too”. Deck, who has his own law firm (Sachse Law) represents clients in the music industry and in commercial real estate. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like the fields of music and real estate would intersect, but if you’ve ever been to a music festival or attended a show at a historic music venue, you can begin to imagine how they might fit together. He also writes and records his own music, which like his practice, varies in feel, nodding to his two favorite musical styles – bossa nova (he

releases songs under the name “Mission to the Sea”) and 80’s new wave (released under the moniker “Paper Cups”). Rose (a 5th grader at McCulloch Intermediate School) was the couple’s first child, followed by Sam, now a 3rd grader at Lamplighter. In the summers, the Sachses head to northern Michigan, where Deck’s family has been going to escape the Texas heat since the 1930s, gathering in a cottage on Little Traverse Bay. “We’re so lucky to have a place where we know we can always go, see family, and make some amazing memories, and now, our kids are getting to an age where we can take them elsewhere, so we look forward to seeing more unfamiliar places,” says Deck. Maybe they’ll start with a trip to the Italian Peninsula to explore Nina’s Sicilian roots. Their house on Abbott Avenue, which they bought in 2011, sits right on the Katy Trail, so when Nina’s not working, she likes to run. She has also dedicated over a decade to volunteering for the Cattle Baron’s Ball, a long-running event (celebrating 50 years) that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. As the couple’s family grew, they decided it was time to expand the footprint of their house, so they began renovations in 2020. With the help of SmithDish architecture, Hocker Design, SR Hughes, Robert Hopson Construction Group, and Bonick Landscape, their home has been transformed (yet still looks from the street like the same little cottage) and is their favorite place to be together.