Oct 4, 2017
Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. is pleased to welcome back Logan W. Simmons as our associate. Simmons was previously a member of our team from 2007-2015. His areas of focus include business litigation, oil and gas disputes, franchise disputes and personal injury cases.
From 2015-2017, Simmons served as staff attorney to Justice Sue Walker in the Second District Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, Texas. His efforts in representative matters have resulted in favorable judgments for his clients, including a mid-six figure judgment for an estate in a breach of fiduciary duty action and assisting franchisors in litigation against current and former franchisees.
Two-time winner of the Texas Bar Journal annual short story contest, Simmons’ articles include Good News, Sunshine (2016, first place) and Johnny Flash (2017, second place).
Simmons received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law. He served as the Associate Editor for the Texas Review of Law and Politics and was one of only seven recipients of the Townes-Rice Scholarship. Named the Robert Miller Scholar, Simmons also holds a B.S. in Political Science from Baylor University.
About Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P.
The team at Curnutt & Hafer provides high-quality representation focused on bottom line results. A recognized business trial practice and listed as a “Go To” litigation firm in the Fortune 500 list of attorneys, they have the know-how and experience to solve every legal problem, whether in the boardroom, the field or the courtroom. Areas of practice include commercial litigation, will disputes and probate litigation, oil and gas litigation, franchising, insurance coverage and bad faith, and injury and death cases. Visit CurnuttHafer.com to learn more.
Jul 26, 2017
Curnutt & Hafer is proud to announce that Douglas Hafer, business trial attorney and co-founder of Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P., has been selected to membership in the 2017 list of the “Nation’s Top One Percent” by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC).
According to the NADC announcement, members are thoroughly vetted by a research team, selected by a blue-ribbon panel of 
attorneys with podium status from independently neutral organizations, and approved by a judicial review board as exhibiting virtue in the practice of law. Due to the selectivity of the appointment process, only the top one percent of attorneys in the United States are awarded membership in NADC. This elite class of advocates consists of the finest leaders of the legal profession from across the nation.
About the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
NADC is an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence. Its mission is to objectively recognize individual attorneys who elevate the standards of the Bar and provide a benchmark for other lawyers to emulate. Visit distinguishedcounsel.org for more information. Follow this link to view Douglas Hafer’s NADC profile.
About Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P.
The team at Curnutt & Hafer provides high-quality representation focused on bottom line results. A recognized business trial practice and listed as a “Go To” litigation firm in the Fortune 500 list of attorneys, they have the know-how and experience to solve every legal problem, whether in the boardroom, the field or the courtroom. Areas of practice include commercial litigation, will disputes and probate litigation, oil and gas litigation, franchising, insurance coverage and bad faith, and injury and death cases. Visit CurnuttHafer.com to learn more.
May 30, 2017
Kelly Curnutt, business trial lawyer and founding partner of Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P., recently obtained a unanimous jury verdict for the firm’s client in a will dispute over a probate estate worth well over $1 million.
With Judge Brooke Allen presiding over a week-long trial in Tarrant County Probate Court No. 2, Curnutt and his trial team of Jamie Lacy and Deanne Schmidt successfully fought off a challenge to the will of a successful businessman, ensuring his wishes were honored to benefit the love of his life.
“We felt all along that justice would prevail once we finally got to trial,” said Curnutt. “Our opponent fought us getting to trial, and then fought us at trial, but our team never wavered in our commitment and perseverance for our client.”
“As often happens, the details mattered,” continued Curnutt, “and our team’s tenacity paid off in a big win for our client. We are grateful for the jury’s service and vindicating decision to honor a dying man’s wishes.”
About Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P.
The team at Curnutt & Hafer provides high-quality representation focused on bottom line results. A recognized business trial practice and listed as a “Go To” litigation firm in the Fortune 500 list of attorneys, they have the know-how and experience to solve every legal problem, whether in the boardroom, the field or the courtroom. Areas of practice include commercial litigation, oil and gas litigation, franchising, insurance coverage and bad faith, will disputes and probate litigation, and injury and death cases. Visit CurnuttHafer.com to learn more.
May 17, 2017
In a significant victory for construction client Hofer Builders, Inc. (HBI), Curnutt & Hafer obtained a judgment finding insurance coverage for an injured HBI worker. Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled that HBI’s insurance company owed HBI reimbursement coverage for claims made as a result of fall that left an HBI worker paralyzed.
The accident happened at a construction site in Louisiana. The underlying construction contract required HBI to obtain insurance for its workers, so the company obtained the insurance required. When the HBI employee was injured, however, the insurance company refused to provide coverage. As a result, HBI was sued by the employee and the owner of the project, as well as the owner’s insurer, all claiming HBI owed millions as a result of the fall and failure to obtain insurance.
Together with Curnutt & Hafer, HBI fought the multiple lawsuits that resulted from the insurance company’s broken promise. In the end, HBI was vindicated.
“When we buy insurance, we buy a promise that the insurer will be there to protect,” said trial attorney and Curnutt & Hafer founding partner Doug Hafer. “Too often that promise is broken. We felt all along that the insurance company would have to pay.
“I’m just happy for Tom and the rest of the folks at HBI,” said Hafer. “I am happy we could help.”
Jan 11, 2017
Recently, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a trial court’s jury verdict and judgment obtained for clients of Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. in a nursing home death case.
Lead counsel and firm partner Kelly Curnutt commented on the victory: “The jury recognized a track record of elder patient neglect by the nursing home’s management, and we applaud the appellate court for vindicating the jury’s verdict.”
Business trial lawyers Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer are both Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
“Although our firm continues its long track record of protecting its corporate clients’ interests, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies,” said Doug Hafer, partner, “we also take pride in helping victims of serious injury and death due to negligence.”
Nov 17, 2016
Team to deliver expertise, success to Wise County
Business trial law firm Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. has opened an office in the old Domino Hall on the historic square in Decatur, TX. The office is Curnutt & Hafer’s second location, with its first in Arlington, TX.
Partner Kelly Curnutt said the firm “saw an opportunity to create long-lasting partnerships in Decatur and Wise County through service as advocates, champions and active members of the community.”
“Over the years, we have developed connections and relationships throughout the state of Texas,” said Doug Hafer, partner. “This network allows us to accelerate our work and bring our clients resolution quickly, efficiently and successfully.”
Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. was founded by Kelly Curnutt and Doug Hafer in 2000. With their years of experience and success in handling complex commercial litigation as well as personal injury and death cases, the partners have an established practice that provides clients both big firm expertise and an individualized approach.
Curnutt & Hafer will combine its state-wide reach with local expertise by welcoming Pat Wadlington, attorney, and Robin Stout, community relations coordinator and case manager, to the Decatur practice.
“Pat and Robin are extremely knowledgeable and capable,” said Curnutt. “We’re thrilled to begin our Decatur practice with such a talented team.”
An official opening event for the Wise County office of Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.C. is planned for early 2017.
About Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P.
The team at Curnutt & Hafer provides high-quality representation focused on bottom line results. A recognized business trial practice and listed as a “Go To” litigation firm in the Fortune 500 list of attorneys, they have the know-how and experience to solve every legal problem, whether in the boardroom, the field or the courtroom. Areas of practice include commercial litigation, oil and gas litigation, franchising, insurance coverage and bad faith, will disputes and probate litigation, and injury and death cases. Visit CurnuttHafer.com to learn more.
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