Attorneys at Law Serving West Texas

Tray Payne, Founder & Partner

Tray is an experienced trial attorney that knows how to protect his client’s interests. Tray grew up in the small town of Post, Texas where he learned the values of hard work and good, old fashioned common sense. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1996 with a BBA in accounting and then received his JD in 2000 from Oklahoma City University. Tray worked as a state and federal prosecutor from 2000-2009 until he started his own firm, now known as PPTC.

Tray has achieved numerous successful outcomes in a wide range of legal cases. His goal is to help each client obtain the most favorable outcome possible under the law. Tray is admitted to practice in all Texas state courts and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Tray continues to put his experience and common sense to work for his clients each and every day, all the while understanding that dependability, loyalty and customer service must be an integral part of the lawyer/client relationship.

Legal Career Highlights:

• Extensive experience as a state and federal prosecutor, handling numerous high-profile cases.
• Serving clients across multiple legal disciplines since 2009 with the PPT&C team of lawyers in Lubbock, Texas.
• Mentored young attorneys and taught legal courses to foster growth within the legal community.
• Active member of the Texas Bar Association, advancing professional standards.
• Admitted to practice in all Texas state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Community Involvement:

• Elected as Mayor of Lubbock, demonstrating leadership and commitment to public service.
• Served as a board member at Trinity Christian School, contributing to education initiatives.
• Supported a nonprofit women’s health organization, advocating for improved health services.
• Active participant in the local Chamber of Commerce.
• Collaborated with advocacy groups to promote economic development and community well-being.

Tray’s career reflects not only his dedication to achieving results for his clients but also his deep commitment to his community and profession. His diverse experience and leadership roles highlight a lifetime of service both inside and outside the courtroom, making him no doubt among the best lawyers in Lubbock, Texas.

Matt Powell, Partner

Matt brings over 25 years of experience to the firm in both criminal and civil law. Prior to joining the firm, Matt served as the Elected Criminal District Attorney for Lubbock County, Texas as well as the Chief Attorney for the Midland, Texas Independent School District.

Matt grew up in Amarillo and has lived in Lubbock for the last 24 years. He has achieved tremendous results in the cases he has handled and enjoys being the voice for people who need his help.

Matt has spent his entire legal career as an advocate for those in need and clearly understands that loyalty, communication and results are the key factors in an attorney / client relationship.

Lori Truitt, Partner

Lori is a Lubbock native who graduated from Texas Tech University undergraduate and Texas Tech University School of Law. She began her career working in civil litigation and creditor representation that took her frequently to the courtroom, mostly in the San Antonio and Austin areas of Texas.

Lori happily returned to practicing mostly in Lubbock and the surrounding areas in 2010 when she joined Tray Payne and began a more varied practice area, which now includes the following areas of law: family law; probate/estate administration; guardianship; debtor/creditor representation; general civil litigation; and personal injury.

She loves helping people, which makes working as an attorney a true joy for her. She works aggressively and sincerely for her clients. She also loves spending time with her husband, two sons, and their fun-loving dog.

Matt Chandler, Partner

Matt Chandler has a unique legal experience that can assist clients in and out of the courtroom.  Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Matt and his siblings were raised with a strong faith and incredible work ethic. Matt’s father was a Magistrate Judge and New Mexico State Senator, which provided Matt with a glimpse of the legal world at a very young age. That experience gave Matt the desire to graduate law school and return to his hometown to practice law with the PPT&C group of lawyers in Lubbock, Texas.

Role as a Former New Mexico District Attorney:

• 15 years of experience as a prosecuting attorney
• Served as the elected Ninth Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico for over a decade
• Awarded the “District Attorneys’ New Mexico Prosecutor of the Year Award” and “New Mexico Law Enforcement Prosecutor of the Year” for his unmatched achievements in the courtroom and within the community
• One of the most experienced criminal law trial attorneys in New Mexico, with a record of over 35 murder cases which includes one of New Mexico’s last death penalty jury trials
• Appeared on major media outlets to profile cases and investigations to include:
  • America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh
  • How to Catch a Predator with Chris Hansen
  • On the Case with Paula Zahn
  • Good Morning America
  • FOX News
  • CNN
  • Today Show

Role as a Former New Mexico District Court Judge

• Appointed by the New Mexico Supreme Court to Chair the Committee on New Mexico Criminal Rules of Procedure (the committee that makes court rules for criminal proceedings that all New Mexico judges and attorneys must follow in criminal cases)
• Presided over thousands of cases ranging from capital murder, divorce and custody hearings, to civil lawsuits
• Served as the 9th Judicial District Drug Court Judge in Roosevelt County
• Chairman of the Ninth Judicial District Judicial Council

Brandon Barnett, Partner

Brandon is an experienced trial attorney with a history of handling high stakes cases. Brandon’s practice includes criminal defense, family law, Title IX student representation, and estate planning with an emphasis on special needs. Brandon is a graduate of Texas Tech for both undergraduate and law school. He also received a Masters of Law (LLM) in Litigation from George Washington University Law School. 

Brandon is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, where he serves as a judge advocate. As a Marine, Brandon has served as a military judge, prosecuting attorney, defense counsel, and law of war attorney in combat in Iraq. 

Brandon has distinguished himself as a top attorney in both military and civilian contexts achieving many favorable results for his clients. He has consistently been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine and a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine. Brandon regularly speaks of CLE training events across the country.

Brandon was born and raised in Arlington, TX. He loves all things Texas and is a lifelong fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the 2024 World Champion Texas Rangers and the Dallas Cowboys. He has written two childrens books about the Marine Corps. His hobbies include pretending to be a monster while chasing his high-spirited children around the house, going to Texas Tech sporting events, running, golf, pickleball, fly fishing, and reading. Brandon and his wife have four children and they are active in their church and community.

Legal Career Highlights:

• High Scorer on the 2006 Texas Bar Exam.
• Member of the Order of Barristers – Texas Tech University School of Law.
• Founder of Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC in Fort Worth, Texas (2012-2025).
• Served as the defense counsel for the Tarrant County Veterans Treatment Court (2018-2025).
• Owned and operated an Autism Therapy Center in Grapevine, Texas. Represent special needs children and their families across Texas.
• Served as an adjunct professor of law at Texas A&M Law School teaching military justice.
• Active member of the Texas Bar Association and National Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
• Admitted to practice in all Texas state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the 5th District Court of Appeals, The United States Supreme Court, and all military trial and appellate courts. 

Melissa Sciumbato, Associate Attorney

Melissa grew up on a farm outside of Farwell, Texas, where she learned the value of hard work and determination. She also learned the true meaning of words like integrity, honesty and dependability.

After graduating magna cum laude from Texas Tech University, Melissa earned her law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Melissa spent time clerking for the Lubbock City Attorney’s office before joining the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s office as a prosecuting attorney.

Melissa now lives in Hereford, Texas, with her husband, Shawn, and their two children where she enjoys supporting her family’s various endeavors and is active in her church and community.

Melissa practices in Hereford and the surrounding counties. Her practice involves family law, probate, estate planning, criminal justice and real estate. Melissa is caring and detail-oriented, and she looks forward to assisting her neighbors with their legal needs.