Talmage is a partner in the Dallas office of Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP. He has been recognized on three different occasions as one of the top litigators in the state of Texas. He handles commercial litigation in both trials and appeals, and has been board certified in Civil Trial Law since 1988 and Civil Appellate Law since 1990 by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. During his 40-year career, he has successfully represented clients in state and federal court lawsuits and arbitrations involving oil and gas, real estate, banking, intellectual property, and partnership disputes. He has successfully tried many jury trials throughout Texas and prevailed in appellate courts all over the state, including the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.