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, 2011-2024
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, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and 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, Board of Directors, and Member, 2000-2014
Young Men for Arlington, Past President, 1995-2000
Phi Delta Theta Arlington Alumni Club, Past President