Lubbock TEXAS

ABOUT Tray Payne



Tray Payne

is an experienced, aggressive and dependable 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. Upon graduation from Post High School, Tray attended Texas Tech where he later graduated with his Bachelor’s of Business Administration in accounting.

In 1996, Tray accepted his first job out of College as an auditor for the local accounting firm Bollinger, Segars, Gilbert and Moss. As an auditor, Tray learned the values of diligence and detail, as well as how to (and how not to) manage business entities and estates. After serving as an independent auditor from 1996-1997, Tray was accepted into Law school at Oklahoma City University. While in Law school, Tray was nominated and served as class President, articles editor of the law review and won several competitions in mock trial and mediation. All the while, Tray continued working as an intern at several law firms and was even chosen to sit second chair on numerous civil trials, including personal injury cases and complex civil litigation.

Tray began his distinguished and dedicated legal career as a clerk for Sam Hammons, J.D., the former first administrative assistant for energy and natural resources to Governor David Boren (later Oklahoma’s U.S. Senator and currently the President of the University of Oklahoma.) After returning back to the Lubbock area and his native roots, Tray took a job with the firm Boatwright and Hamilton working as a general practice attorney primarily focusing on civil litigation and family law matters. In 2001, Tray accepted a position and was appointed as an assistant District Attorney under the Honorable Judge Bill Sowder.

As a State Prosecuting attorney, Tray began prosecuting misdemeanor offenses and eventually worked his way up to become the Chief Felony Prosecutor in the 364th District Court. In 2003, Tray was appointed as Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) working on the President Bush initiated Project Safe Neighborhood. As a SAUSA, Tray prosecuted violent felons who illegally possessed firearms and were involved in organized crime and narcotics distribution.

In 2005, at the age of 31, Tray was appointed as the Chief of Homicide for the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s office and continued his appointment as a SAUSA for the Department of Justice. As Homicide Chief, Tray was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of all homicide cases in Lubbock County, including capital punishment cases involving the death penalty. Needless to say, this trial experience took someone with the character and toughness.

For 8 ½ years, Tray was a prosecutor, both Federal and State and dedicated himself to being an aggressive, dependable and hard working trial attorney. Tray has tried well over 100 jury trials, criminal and civil, prosecuting and defending. This experience does not include the thousands of small claims cases, hearings and bench trials he has been involved in. This trial experience also does not include the thousands of hours Tray has spent as a counselor of law when dealing with victims, families and clients interests.

In 2009, Tray left his years of public service and began his own law firm. Since beginning his own practice, 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 continues to put his aggressiveness and experience 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.

If you are looking for a hard working, no-nonsense attorney who can handle your case, please call Tray Payne & Associates, PLLC. We are here to "SERVE"!

Professional Associations and Memberships

• State Bar of Texas

• Lubbock County Bar Association

• Lubbock Criminal Defense Bar

Past Employment Positions

• Assistant District Attorney, Lubbock County

• Special Assistant United State’s Attorney, Department of Justice


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Areas of LAW

  • Accident
  • Bus Accident
  • Car Accident
  • Drunk Driving Accident
  • Litigation
  • Motorcycle Accident
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Estate
  • Truck Accident

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