The Team
Founding partners Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer brought experience from large international firms, as well as small trial boutique firms when they formed Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. The firm’s passion, expertise, and determination has earned them Super Lawyer designations and a prestigious AV rating, signifying the pinnacle of skill and integrity under the Martindale-Hubbell Rating System.
Attorneys
Staff
Our Mission
Our firm's mission is to treat every client's problem as if it were our own, and we focus on achieving the best bottom line results possible. To reach this goal, we have assembled a team of attorneys made up of accomplished business professionals, compassionate advocates, and experienced litigators. Our attorneys are committed to applying their skills and experience to resolving your problems through creative legal solutions. It is our goal that all of our clients will give us their highest personal recommendation.
Awards & Accreditations
Kelly J. Curnutt
Partner
Overview:
Throughout his career, Kelly Curnutt has successfully tried a wide array of cases in state and federal courts, both in Texas and other states, including complex business disputes, oil and gas cases, and injury and death claims. Additionally, Mr. Curnutt has taken and defended hundreds of depositions, briefed and argued over one hundred motions in state and federal courts, and has argued a number of cases in the appellate courts.
For seven consecutive years, Mr. Curnutt has been selected for inclusion in “Texas Super Lawyers,” a listing of top attorneys in Texas compiled through independent polling and research and is published by Texas Monthly. This distinction is held by no more than five percent of Texas lawyers each year. Mr. Curnutt is AV rated by Martindale Hubble, the highest skill and ethics and integrity ranking available. He is also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is a Past President of the Arlington Bar Association.
Areas of Practice:
Business Litigation
Oil & Gas Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Background
Kelly Curnutt obtained his law degree in 1993 from the Southern Methodist University School of Law where he was the Managing Staff Editor of the SMU Law Review Association, Oral Argument Champion and Best Brief Finalist in the all-school moot court competition, Outstanding Advocate in the mock trial competition, recipient of an American Indian Graduate Center Scholarship, member of the Order of the Barristers, and Province Winner in the International Graduate of the Year Award for the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Mr. Curnutt received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1989 from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he served as president of his fraternity Phi Delta Theta, was selected to the Honor Roll and National Dean's List from 1985 to 1989, and served as a Younglife School Director. Mr. Curnutt is a former Certified Public Accountant, having previously worked for the KPMG Peat Marwick public accounting firm prior to entering law school.
Personal
Mr. Curnutt resides in Arlington, Texas with his wife, their youngest son, and their Labrador Retriever. Their oldest son is a recent graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. Both Mr. Curnutt and his wife grew up in Arlington where they collectively enjoy an expansive network of business and personal acquaintances. Mr. Curnutt is an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, fishing, hunting and being outdoors with his family and friends whenever possible. He is also active in community affairs through the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Phi Delta Theta Alumni Club, and volunteering in our schools through KIDS HOPE.
Mr. Curnutt is an active member of Fielder Church, where he ushers during worship service, and teaches kindergarten on Sunday mornings. On Monday nights Mr. Curnutt leads a small group at the Arlington Men’s Class of Bible Study Fellowship. Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of his favorite Bible verses:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Honors and Awards
AV "Preeminent" (5.0 out of 5) Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, current
"Texas Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly, 2011-2018
"Top Lawyer," Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2011-2018
Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Life Member
Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, 2008
College of the State Bar of Texas, 1999
Fraternities
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Phi
Education
Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas
Juris Doctor, 1993
Honors: Champion, Oral Argument, Jackson & Walker Moot Court Competition
Honors: Finalist, Best Brief, Jackson & Walker Moot Court Competition
Honors: Outstanding Advocate, Vial Hamilton Mock Trial Barristers Association
Honors: Order of the Barristers
Honors: Province Winner, Phi Delta Phi International Graduate of the Year Award
Honors: Recipient, American Indian Graduate Center Scholarship
Law Review: Southern Methodist University Law Review Association, Managing Staff Editor, 1992-1993
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certifications/Specialties
Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1998
Bar Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 2009
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1997
Texas, 1993
Published Works
"Surface-Owner Conflicts: When and How to Obtain a TRO" (co-author with Daniel B. Mathis), American Association of Professional Landmen, Southwest Land Institute Publication, April 14, 2011
"Surface-Owner Conflicts: When and How to Obtain a TRO" (co-author with Daniel B. Mathis), Oklahoma City Association of Petroleum Landmen, March 1, 2010
Classes/Seminars Taught
"A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes and the Current State of the Accommodation Doctrine," Southwest Land Institute, hosted by the American Association of Professional Landmen, Dallas, Texas, April 14, 2011
"A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes," Energy Symposium, Texas Wesleyan School of Law, March 4, 2011
"A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes," Fort Worth Association of Professional Landmen (FWAPL), October 14, 2010
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas
Member
Arlington Bar Association
Past President
Tarrant County Bar Association
Member
Tarrant County Bar Association, Energy Law Section
Member
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Interim President and CEO, 2015-2016
Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club
Past President
Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas, 2000-2014
Board of Directors, and Member
Young Men for Arlington, 1995-2000
Past President
Phi Delta Theta Arlington Alumni Club
Past President
Douglas R. Hafer
partner
Overview:
Douglas Hafer is AV rated by Martindale Hubble, the highest skill and ethics and integrity ranking available. For seven years, he was selected for inclusion in “Texas Super Lawyers,” a listing of top attorneys in Texas compiled through independent polling and research and is published by Texas Monthly. This distinction is held by no more than five percent of Texas lawyers for the year. Mr. Hafer is also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Throughout his career, Mr. Hafer has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts ranging from personal injury to oil and gas to complex business and employment disputes. Additionally, Mr. Hafer has taken and defended hundreds of depositions, and briefed and argued over one hundred motions in state and federal courts. Mr. Hafer also has significant appellate court experience. He has successfully represented appellants and appellees in cases argued before the federal and state appellate courts.
Areas of Practice:
Business Litigation
Oil and Gas Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Franchise Litigation
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Representative Cases
Frymire Eng'g Co. v. Jomar Int'l, Ltd., 259 S.W.3d 140 (Tex. 2008)
Padilla v. Flying J, Inc. , 119 S.W. 3d 911 (Tex. App. - Dallas 2003)
Tex. Ass'n Govt. Risk Mgmt. Pool v. Matagorda County, 52 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. 2000)
Webb v. B.C. Rogers, 174 F.3d 697 (5th Cir. 1998)
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas
Member
American Bar Association
Member
Forum on Franchising, American Bar Association
Member
Tarrant County Bar Association
Member
Tarrant County Bar Association, Energy Law Section
Chair, 2012-2013; Vice Chair, 2011-2012; Secretary, 2010-2011
Arlington Bar Association
President, 2009; President-Elect, 2008; Secretary/Treasurer, 2007
Dallas Bar Association
Member
The College of Master Advocates and Barristers
Senior Counsel
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
Member
Certifications/Specialties
Board Certified In Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2004
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, Dallas, Texas
Juris Doctor, 1993
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Southern Methodist University Law Review, Leading Articles Editor, 1991-1993
Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
Bachelor of Science, Business, 1989
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1997
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1997
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1997
Texas, 1993
Published Works
"Lost Future Royalties: Lessons from Recent Decisions" (co-author with Logan W. Simmons), 31 Franchise L.J. 150, 2012
"Mineral Royalty Mispayments: The Payor's Rights, Obligations, and Risks in Royalty Mispayment Scenarios, Including the Pitfalls and Prerogative of Self-Help Recoupment" (co-author with Daniel B. Mathis), 18 TEX. WESLEYAN L. REV. 85, 2011
"Mineral Royalty Mispayments: The Payor's Right of Recoupment" (co-author with Daniel B. Mathis), Headnotes, Dallas Bar Association, August, 2011
"Surface-Owner Conflicts: When and How to Obtain a TRO" (co-author), American Association of Professional Landmen, Southwest Land Institute Publication, April 14, 2011
"A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes and The Current State of the Accommodation Doctrine," (co-author with Daniel B. Mathis and Logan W. Simmons), 17 TEX. WESLEYAN L. REV. 47, 2010
Seminars Taught
"Mineral Royalty Mispayments: A Discussion of Common Mispayment Scenarios and Applicable Law," Strafford Webinar, November 21, 2013
"Failure-To-Develop Litigation: An Overview of Failure-To-Develop Litigation, Including Protection of Geophysical Data, and Lessons Learned in Trial," Energy Symposium, Texas Wesleyan School of Law, March, 2012
"Mineral Royalty Mispayments: The Payor's Rights, Obligations, and Risks in Royalty Mispayment Scenarios, Including the Pitfalls and Prerogative of Self-Help Recoupment," Energy Symposium, Texas Wesleyan School of Law, March 3, 2011
"A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes and The Current State of the Accommodation Doctrin," Energy Symposium, Wesleyan School of Law, March 16, 2010
Honors and Awards
AV "Preeminent" (5.0 out of 5) Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, current
"Top Lawyer," Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2011-2016
"Texas Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly, 2006, 2008-2014
State Bar College, 2000-2001
Cash Barker
Associate
Overview:
Mr. Barker obtained his law degree in 2019 from Texas A&M University School of Law, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he graduated cum laude. At Texas A&M Law, Mr. Barker was a Ann S. & Henry B. Paup Scholar and a Dean’s List Scholar. Mr. Barker served on the executive board of the Texas A&M Law Review as its Symposia Editor. Mr. Barker also served as a research fellow for the National Agricultural Law Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he co-authored several articles regarding agricultural law and public policy. Mr. Barker also served as a student attorney for the Texas A&M Legal Clinic. During his time as a student attorney, Mr. Barker assisted and advised individuals and small businesses with entity selection and formation; contract drafting, and assistance with corporate transactions.
Before law school, Mr. Barker graduated cum laude from Texas Tech University with a B.A. in Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
Areas of practice:
Commercial Litigation
Construction Litigation
Oil and Gas Litigation
Eminent Domain
Probate Litigation
Agricultural Law
Education
Texas A&M School of Law, Fort Worth, Texas
Juris Doctor, 2019
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Ann S. & Henry B. Paup Scholarship Recipient
Law Journal: Symposia Editor, Texas A&M Law Review, 2017-2019
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Major: Agricultural & Applied Economics
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Gamma Sigma Delta National Honor Society
Personal
Mr. Barker resides in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife Emma, who is a corporate recruiter for Goosehead Insurance. In his spare time, Mr. Barker enjoys golfing, hunting, and being in the outdoors whenever possible. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys following both college and professional football and baseball.
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Texas, 2019
Professional Associations and Memberships
Tarrant County Bar Association
Tarrant County Bar Association, Construction Law Section
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Arlington Bar Association
Vicki Minter Hafer
Family Law Attorney
Background:
Vicki Minter Hafer concentrates her practice in family law. A member of the State Bar of Texas, she is also a member of the Arlington, Tarrant County Bar and Tarrant County Family Law Bar Associations. Prior to establishing her practice with Curnutt & Hafer in 2005, Ms. Hafer worked for two years as an associate attorney for Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, L.L.C. In 2009, she was selected for inclusion in Texas Monthly’s “Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Stars in Family Law” edition. In 2011, Ms. Hafer was selected as a “Tarrant County Top Attorney” by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine.
Ms. Hafer’s expertise in family law includes cases of adoption, divorce, grandparent access, child support, enforcement, protective orders, and custody, including custody suits affecting the parent-child relationship, modification suits and paternity suits.
For more information, visit http://www.vickihafer.com
Area of practice:
Family Law
Education
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law, Dallas, Texas
Juris Doctor, 1994
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Hatton W. Summers Scholar
Honors: Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award in Torts
Honors: Barristers
SMU Law Tutor
Southern Methodist University Law Review, 1992-1994
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Bachelor of Arts, 1991
Major: Journalism
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1994
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2004
Professional Associations and Memberships
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
Member
Tarrant County Bar Association
Member
Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
Member
Arlington Bar Association
Member
Honors and Awards
"Top Lawyer," Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2011
"Texas Super Lawyers - Rising Stars in Family Law,” Texas Monthly, 2009
Pat Wadlington, Jr.
Of Counsel
Bar Admissions:
Admitted to practice before all Texas State Courts
Admitted to practice before all Northern and Southeastern Federal District Courts of Texas
Areas of practice:
Business Torts
Negligence, Product Liability
Wrongful Death
Commercial Sales
Deceptive Trade/Unfair Competition
Probate and Trust Litigation
Intentional Torts
Invasion of Privacy
Public Information (State and Federal)
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Corporate and Business Organization Disputes
Education
South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas
Juris Doctor, 1994
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Named Outstanding Male Graduate of 1994
Honors: Order of the Lytae
Honors: Editorial Board member, South Texas Law Review, 1993-94
Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas
Bachelor of Science, 1988
Professional Associations and Memberships
Texas Bar Association
Member
Dallas Bar Association
Member
Steve Kotara
Of Counsel
OVERVIEW:
Throughout his thirty-plus years’ career, Steve Kotara has successfully handled and tried a wide variety of cases in both federal and state courts, including complex business disputes, professional malpractice claims, and injury and death claims. Mr. Kotara began his legal career at one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Dallas, and he worked for several years in Fort Worth at one of the top malpractice firms in Texas. Mr. Kotara has taken and defended hundreds of depositions and has briefed and argued over one hundred motions in state and federal court. Mr. Kotara also has significant appellate experience. In addition to handling appeals in state and federal appellate courts, Mr. Kotara was an appellate court staff attorney for over fifteen years in three Texas appellate courts.
Areas of practice:
Business Litigation
Probate Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death
Product Liability
Medical Malpractice
Legal Malpractice
Civil Appeals
Background
Mr. Kotara obtained his law degree in 1987 from Texas Tech University School of Law, where he graduated with honors. During law school, Mr. Kotara was a member of the Texas Tech Law Review and served as its Managing Editor in 1986-87. Mr. Kotara also participated in moot court and mock trial and received American Jurisprudence awards in Evidence and Property.
Before law school, Mr. Kotara graduated with honors from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in Politics (Political Philosophy). During college, Mr. Kotara was active in student government and intramural athletics.
Personal
Mr. Kotara has resided in Fort Worth, Texas for over two decades with his wife, a Fort Worth native, and their son, who attends Texas A & M University. A native of Pampa, Texas, Mr. Kotara has resided in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex since 1987. Now an avid golfer, Mr. Kotara previously coached youth baseball, basketball, and flag football with the Fort Worth YMCA, and he was a volunteer leader in Pack 97 of the Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Fort Worth.
Mr. Kotara is an active member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Fort Worth, and he was a volunteer leader of his son’s youth group. Throughout the 1990’s, Mr. Kotara was active in the University of Dallas Alumni Association Board of Directors, including serving as its president for two years.
Education
Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
Juris Doctor, 1987
Honors: Cum Laude
Honors: Texas Tech Law Review, Managing Editor, 1986-87
Honors: American Jurisprudence awards in Evidence and Property
University of Dallas, Irving, Texas
Bachelor of Arts, 1984
Honors: Cum Laude
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1987
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1987
Published Works
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY (7th ed. 1999) (Assistant Editor)
A HANDBOOK OF BASIC LAW TERMS (West 1999) (Assistant Editor)
“Recent Changes in Texas Venue Law and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Proposed Changes to the Texas Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure,” University of Dallas Alumni CLE (Oct. 1995)
Note, Prejudgment Interest Available on Accrued Damages in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and Survival Actions: Cavnar v. Quality Control Parking, Inc., 696 S.W.2d 549 (Tex. 1985), 17 TEX. TECH L. REV. 293 (1986)
Mr. Kotara has also prepared and presented numerous local CLE articles on appellate matters and the Bill of Rights.
Representative Cases
Albo v. Bahn, 2018 WL 2204295 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] May 15, 2018, no pet.)
Wakefield v. Pinnacle Anesthesia Consultants, P.A., 2018 WL 1734984 (Tex. App.—Texarkana Apr. 2, 2018, pet. denied)
Sees v. Fagen, 2002 WL 460233 (N.D. Tex. Mar. 22, 2002)
Sanijet Corp. v. Jacuzzi Inc., 2002 WL 1398546 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 14, 2002)
Seibu Corp. v. KPMG, LLP, 2001 WL 1167317 (N.D. Tex. Oct. 2, 2001)
Fagan v. Gnade, 61 S.W.3d 76 (Tex. App.—Waco 2001, no pet.)
Cunningham v. American Airlines, Inc., 1993 WL 307391 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 5, 1993, writ denied)
Reed v. Yarbrough, 917 F.2d 562 (5th Cir. 1990 Table), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1123 (1991)
Yvette M. Harper
Paralegal
Areas of Expertise
Yvette Harper provides paralegal and administrative support to partner Doug Hafer. She also manages and oversees numerous budgetary, information technology and other administrative functions for the firm.
Education and Certifications
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Bachelor of Science, 1995
Major: Political Science
Southeastern Paralegal Institute (Brightwood College)
Paralegal Certificate, 1996
With Honors
Deanne Schmidt
Case Manager
Areas of Expertise
Deanne Schmidt provides paralegal and administrative support to partner Kelly Curnutt. She also provides oversight and service to those clients of Curnutt & Hafer who are involved in personal injury cases.
Professional Associations and Education
State Bar of Texas, Paralegal Division
Arlington Bar Association
Executive Secretary, 2006-2012
McMurry University, Angelo State University and
The University of Texas at Arlington
Various coursework
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