Our Team

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 ten 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, Justice of the Peace Mary Tom Cravens Curnutt. They are blessed with three sons and a number of “bonus boys” loved over the years. 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. He is also active in community affairs through the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, Phi Delta Theta Alumni Club, and KIDS HOPE.

Mr. Curnutt is an active member of Fielder Church, and serves with his wife in an apartment church through Mission Arlington. On Monday nights Mr. Curnutt serves as Teaching Leader of 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, 2011-2021

"Top Lawyer," Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2011-2021

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

Certifications/Specialties

Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1998

Bar Admissions

State Bar of Texas, 1993
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

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:

Throughout his career, Douglas 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.

For nine years, Mr. Hafer 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 for the year. Mr. Hafer is AV rated by Martindale Hubble, the highest skill and ethics and integrity ranking available. Mr. Hafer is also Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Areas of Practice:

Business Litigation
Estate and Trust Litigation
Oil and Gas Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Personal Injury
Wrongful Death

Representative Cases

Texas Mutual Insurance Co. v. Hofer Builders, Inc., No. 03-17-00741-CV, 2019 WL 2847436 (Tex. Ct. App. Austin, July 3, 2019).

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

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

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

"Texas Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly, 2006, 2008-2014, 2020, 2021
"Top Lawyer," Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2011-2020

AV "Preeminent" (5.0 out of 5) Peer Review Rated for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, current

State Bar College, 2000-2001

Vicki Minter Hafer

Family Law Attorney

Overview:

Vicki Hafer concentrates her practice in family law, a very important and personal branch of practice requiring compassionate advocacy. Ms. Hafer and her team are well practiced at the nuances of these cases. They have the skillset to help people find the right paths for resolving divorce and custody disputes and begin the rebuilding process.

Ms. Hafer and her team handle divorce, custody disputes, modifications, paternity suits, grandparent access cases, child-support disputes, enforcement suits, protective order cases and adoptions.

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

Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Bachelor of Arts, 1991
Major: Journalism
Honors: Magna Cum Laude

Bar Admissions

Texas, 1994
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1994

Professional Associations and Community Involvement

State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
Arlington Bar Association
Tarrant County Bar Association
Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
Wise, Jack, Montague Women’s Bar Association
Levitt Pavilion, Arlington Board of Directors, Committee Chair – Board Governance & Development
Junior League of Arlington, Sustainer, numerous prior leadership positions
Arlington Chamber of Commerce – Women’s Alliance
Women Inspiring Philanthropy
St. Cecilia Singers, St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church

Honors and Awards

“Top Lawyer” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine
Texas Super Lawyers – Rising Star in Family Law
Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
Bold Woman Award 2021 - Girls, Inc.
Best Arlington Family Lawyers 2022

David G. Petter

Senior Counsel

Overview:

David Petter has practiced law in Texas since 1992, serving a broad scope of civil needs. He has a predominant focus in the areas of probate, estate planning, and business transactions. For many years, Mr. Petter worked with Arlington Attorney Jerry Hoodenpyle to serve the legal needs of innumerable commercial entities and private individuals, governmental units, non-profit organizations and churches. Following Mr. Hoodenpyle’s retirement in 2013, Mr. Petter extended the tradition of offering professional and highly ethical legal representation as a solo practitioner and then in joining the law firm of Curnutt & Hafer, L.L.P. in 2021.

“Seeking to Serve for Christ and His Kingdom” – Mr. Petter adopted this personal motto many years ago while a student at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. It is at the core of what motivates his service as a lawyer. Mr. Petter is a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law in Austin and holds a Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages from Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He is a deacon and active Children’s Bible Study teacher at Fielder Church. Additionally, Mr. Petter enjoys umpiring little league baseball and serving community needs.

Areas of Practice:

Business Transactions, Contracts & Corporate Law

o Stock purchase and asset purchase agreements
o Financing and security agreements
o Contracts of all types
o Leases
o Corporate documents for your full business life cycle

Estate Planning, Probate, Wills & Trusts

o Last Wills
o Medical and Financial Powers of Attorney
o Directives to Physicians
o Trusts
o Probate filings

Education

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX
Masters of Divinity Degree with Biblical Languages, Dec. 1998
Dean’s Academic Honor List, School of Theology

The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX
Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree, May 1992

Wheaton College, Wheaton, ILL
Degree: Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, May 1989

Steve Kotara

Senior Counsel

Overview:

Since 1987, Steve Kotara has successfully handled 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 in Dallas at one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in Texas, and he worked for several years in Fort Worth at one of the top malpractice firms in Texas. In addition to having tried cases in state and federal courts, Mr. Kotara has handled hundreds of depositions and motions in state and federal courts.

Mr. Kotara also has significant appellate experience. In addition to handling appeals in the state and federal appellate courts, Mr. Kotara was an appellate court staff attorney for over sixteen years in three Texas appellate courts.

Areas of Practice:

Business Litigation
Probate Litigation
Insurance Litigation
Intellectual Property 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.

Mr. Kotara obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1984 from the University of Dallas, where he graduated with honors with a major in Politics (Political Philosophy). During college, Mr. Kotara was active in student government and intramural athletics.

Personal

Mr. Kotara has resided in Fort Worth for over two decades with his wife, a Fort Worth native, and their son, who attends the University of Dallas. 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 parishioner at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Fort Worth, and he was a volunteer leader of his son’s church 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.

Mr. Kotara is active in the Fort Worth Chapters of the St. Thomas More Society and the Federalist Society.

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

State Bar of Texas 1987
U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Western District of Texas

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

Trench Tech Int’l, Inc. v. Tech Con Trenching, Inc., 2022 WL 1998466 (N.D. Tex. June 6, 2022)

George P. Bane, Inc. v. Ballard, 2021 WL 1084586 (Tex. App.—Dallas Mar. 22, 2021, no pet.)

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)

Pat Wadlington, Jr.

Of Counsel

Bar Admissions:

Admitted to practice before all Texas State Courts

Office Administration

Nora Casillas Iniguez

Paralegal

Areas of Expertise

Nora Casillas provides paralegal and administrative support to Greg Butts. She also has extensive experience supporting personal injury litigation.

Susan Provost

Paralegal

Areas of Expertise

Susan provides paralegal and administrative support to Patrick Wadlington in his general practice in Decatur and Wise County.

Education and Certifications

Paralegal Certification, 1988

Hunter Rogers

Associate Attorney

Overview:

Hunter is a graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in Economics and a 2023 graduate of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.

Areas of practice

Business litigation
Personal injury

Education

Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
Juris Doctor
Dallas, Texas
May 2023

Texas Christian University
Bachelor of Science-Economics
Fort Worth, Texas
May 2019

Bar Admissions

Texas (2023)

Greg Eyster

Senior Counsel

Overview:

For more than seventeen years, Greg Eyster has delivered exceptional service to his clients and supported complex litigation matters in a variety of venues. He has been recognized for a keen ability to craft persuasive arguments, negotiate critical agreements and manage diverse caseloads. Representing clients in both state and federal courts, Greg has worked closely with teams to close transactions with a high level of client satisfaction. With experience leading and mentoring multiple attorneys’ dockets he is a strong addition to the collaborative environment of Curnutt & Hafer, LLP.

Areas of practice

Commercial Litigation
Business Litigation
Intellectual Property
Personal Injury
Civil Appeals
Contracts

Education

St. Mary's University School of Law
Juris Doctor
San Antonio, Texas
2006

University of Texas
Bachelor of Arts
Austin, Texas
1999

Bar Admissions

Texas (2006) U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas

Ryan Eady

Senior Counsel

Overview:

Ryan is a proven litigator and trial attorney with 12 years of experience managing complex criminal and civil actions. He has been recognized for his analytical, investigative, organizational, and courtroom litigation skills in more than 75 trials. His proven skill in building relationships, understanding client needs and strong communication abilities will enhance the Curnutt & Hafer litigation team. A Central Texas native, Ryan, his wife and their three boys are active members of their North Texas community.

Areas of practice

Litigation

Education

Texas A&M University School of Law
Juris Doctor
Fort Worth, Texas
2011

Texas Tech University
Bachelor of Arts
Lubbock, Texas
2007

Bar Admissions

Texas (2011)

Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2018

Jack Garbo

Senior Counsel

Overview:

After graduating from Notre Dame Law School, Jack was a general practitioner in Ohio for eight years, before relocating to Texas in 1983 to start a business which he owned and operated for another ten years. Jack then chose to re-enter the legal field and acquired the established Wm. L. Bondurant Law Firm, which then became Garbo Law Offices, P.C. in 1993. There he served the probate and estate planning needs of his clients until he joined the Arlington location of Haiman Hogue in 2020, where he continued to help clients and families with Wills, trusts and probate matters. With nearly thirty years of experience creating and administering trusts and his skill in building long term relationships, Jack is a strong part of the firm's estate planning and probate team. Jack is an active member of the Downtown Arlington Rotary Club and he and his family are long term Arlington residents.

Areas of practice

Estate Planning, Trusts, and Probate

Education

University of Notre Dame Law School
Juris Doctor, 1975
Notre Dame, Indiana

The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Arts, History
Columbus, Ohio
1972

Bar Admissions

Ohio (1975)

Texas (1993)

Victoria Rodriguez

Paralegal

Overview

Victoria brings over a decade of experience in personal injury law to the firm, having worked on both the plaintiff and defense sides. She provides daily paralegal support to Ryan Eady. Victoria has handled a diverse array of cases from beginning to end, finding the dynamic nature of the legal field both thrilling and unpredictable. Outside of work, Victoria has been married to her husband for nearly 20 years. Together, they have a daughter, son, and a beloved family dog.

Education

Dallas College Formerly Known as El Centro Community College
Sociology Degree
Current

Arlington Career Institute
Paralegal Certification
2009-2010

Dani Little

Front Office Coordinator

Krystal Hiranhphom

Marketing and Executive Assistant

Overview

Krystal contributes to the firm's marketing committee by managing social media, developing and editing blogs and articles, and supporting various marketing initiatives. Additionally, Krystal provides executive support to COO Cindy Salter, partner Kelly Curnutt, and partner Doug Hafer.

Conner Smith

Paralegal

Overview

Conner brings more than eight years of paralegal support and service to the firm. He provides daily support for attorneys Steve Kotara and Ryan Eady.

Education and Certifications

University of Texas at Arlington
Bachelor of Science
Arlington, Texas
2023

Liberty University
Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies
Lynchburg, Virginia
2019

Western Texas College
Associate of Arts in Mathematics
Tulsa, Oklahoma
2013

Our Purpose

Partners

Attorneys

Staff

Our Philosophy

Our Vision

Awards & Accreditations

Our Mission:
To provide every client exceptional legal service.