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