Hartline Barger LLP

09/13/19 | Hartline Barger LLP Brings in Four Attorneys, Including Partner David Merkley, from Houston Law Firm

HOUSTON, TX – Hartline Barger LLP, a Southwest-based, nationally recognized law firm specializing in civil litigation and trials, continues to expand its Houston office with the addition of four attorneys from another Houston law firm, including partner David Merkley.

David Merkley is a board certified trial lawyer with a statewide practice involving the defense of catastrophic losses. He is routinely retained to oversee the containment of evidence and investigation immediately following an event, and then manage the litigation and try cases as lead counsel. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), and was one of the youngest members of the ABOTA Houston Chapter elected to receive this distinction. David’s concentrated areas of practice include oilfield and refinery incidents, trucking and transportation accidents, products and premises liability claims, general maritime matters, and construction-related claims. He also assists clients in drafting and revising corporate safety manuals, training materials, employee handbooks, and other tools designed to improve a company’s overall safety record and risk avoidance.

“We’re thrilled to have David join our team,” says managing partner Larry Grayson. “He’s an accomplished trial lawyer with an impressive record of success and a stellar reputation.”

In addition to David Merkley, three more Germer attorneys, Sarah Jones, Lisa Massey and Selina Contreras, join Hartline Barger’s Houston office as of counsel and associate attorneys.

Of Counsel Sarah Jones has significant experience trying cases from inception to trial throughout the state of Texas. Sarah routinely represents clients in a wide array of litigation matters, including labor & employment, trucking & transportation, products liability, personal injury, premises liability, oil & gas, construction, warranty & DTPA, and insurance defense. Based on her extensive representation of Fortune 500 Companies, Sarah is highly sought after to provide clients with general risk assessment. In conjunction with providing clients with risk assessments, she is often hired to draft and revise corporate policies and procedures, employee handbooks, and safety protocols.

Of Counsel Elizabeth “Lisa” Massey routinely handles complex litigation for clients across a broad spectrum of legal areas, including oil & gas, trucking & transportation, residential and commercial construction, premises liability, products liability, professional liability, and personal injury. Lisa has an established track record of successfully representing her clients in state, federal and appellate courts and administrative bodies across Texas. As a native of Naples, Italy, Lisa is fluent in Italian.

Associate Selina Contreras focuses her practice on commercial litigation, trucking & transportation, personal injury defense, and premises liability. Before shifting her practice to civil litigation defense, Selina represented injured plaintiffs. This was a valuable experience which she now uses to understand opposing counsel’s approach to case strategy and negotiation.

This move is another step forward for the firm’s growing Houston office, explains managing partner Larry Grayson. “The experience these four bring strengthens our Houston office and further enables us to provide value for our clients.”

Hartline Barger LLP is a Southwest-based law firm specializing in civil litigation and trials, with offices in Dallas, Houston, Corpus Christi, Waco, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on providing uncompromising excellence to their clients in a variety of areas, including products liability, commercial litigation, class action and multidistrict litigation, personal injury defense, premises liability, labor and employment, healthcare, construction, and dealer/franchise litigation. For more information about Hartline Barger, visit hartlinebarger.com

09/05/19 | Hartline Barger LLP Kicks Off DBA’s 2020 Equal Access to Justice Campaign

The attorneys of Hartline Barger LLP strongly believe in the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program and its mission of ensuring legal aid to those in the Dallas area who cannot otherwise afford it. Through the Dallas Bar Association‘s annual Equal Access to Justice Campaign, law firms across Dallas are given the opportunity to contribute to making this enormous mission a reality. Read the article on the front page of the September 2019 edition of Headnotes below to see why we, like many other area law firms, give.

Headnotes-Sept-2019-DBA
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08/27/19 | Tennessee Court of Appeals Reverses $31m Verdict Against Navistar

An appellate court in Jackson, Tennessee reversed a 2017 jury verdict against Navistar Inc. that held the commercial truck and engine manufacturer liable for $31 million in actual and punitive damages. The underlying trial involved a commercial dispute regarding the reliability of trucks purchased by the plaintiff, Milan Supply Chain Solutions and manufactured by Navistar. Milan argued at trial that Navistar had committed fraud and violated Tennessee’s consumer protection laws when selling 234 Class 8 trucks, claiming that the manufacturer knew the engines on the trucks were defective when they were sold. In the appellate decision filed August 14^th, the Tennessee Court of Appeals in Jackson ruled that the trial court erred at least twice, in that the economic loss doctrine barred fraud claims, and the consumer protection act does not cover commercial vehicles. Further, the panel affirmed the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees in favor of co-defendant and dealer Volunteer International, Inc., whom Milan sued without grounds.

Lead trial lawyer, Jeff Patterson, said, “We are relieved and grateful that the Court of Appeals corrected this irrational verdict. In at least seven venues around the country, trial courts and a jury have ruled for Navistar just as this appellate panel did. It’s a shame to have wasted so much in public and private resources on this case.”

In addition to the Hartline Barger team of Jeff Patterson, Clayton Callen and Tyler Stuart, Navistar was represented by Roman Martinez and Kevin Jakopchek of Latham & Watkins LLP, and Eugene N. Bulso Jr. and Paul J. Krog of Leader Bulso & Nolan PLC.

Law 360’s coverage of the decision can be found here (paywall)

08/19/19 | Nine Hartline Barger Lawyers Selected for Inclusion in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©; Jeff Patterson named “Lawyer of the Year”

The Best Lawyers in America©, the oldest lawyer-rating publication in the U.S., has selected nine Hartline Barger LLP attorneys for inclusion in their 2020 edition. Furthermore, Dallas partner Jeff Patterson was named Best Lawyers‘ 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation Defense in Dallas/Fort Worth. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant.

Hartline Barger congratulates its listed Best Lawyers in America:

Darrell L. Barger – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants; Litigation – Trusts and Estates.
Vernon Hartline, Jr. – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
Don DeCandia – Commercial Litigation
Jeffrey S. Patterson – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Ann Hennis – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Michael G. Terry – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
Richard W. Crews – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
Peter C. Blomquist – Commercial Litigation
Scott G. Edwards – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

07/01/19 | Hartline Barger LLP Opens New Offices in Santa Fe & Albuquerque, Adds New Partner, Don DeCandia

Hartline Barger LLP, a Texas-based civil litigation and trial firm, expanded its footprint in the southwestern United States today with the opening of offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

The two New Mexico offices join Hartline Barger’s four existing Texas offices (Dallas, Houston, Corpus Christi and Waco), bolstering the firm’s presence and depth of services in the growing Southwest market.

“We believe our expansion into New Mexico will provide substantial opportunities for our clients and for Hartline Barger,” said firm-wide managing partner, Larry Grayson.

With the addition of the two new offices, the firm is also pleased to announce the arrival of a new partner, Donald A. DeCandia. Don DeCandia comes to Hartline Barger from Modrall Sperling, bringing with him over 30 years of trial, litigation, and appellate experience in the areas of products liability, tort, personal injury, and ERISA litigation. He has litigated complex commercial cases and class actions and has a depth of experience in appellate work. Don has handled scores of products liability cases in the vehicle context, including the defense of several tire manufacturers in tire failure litigation. He has also represented building product and power tool manufacturers, and his practice includes insurance bad faith cases and premises liability matters. Many of his cases involve claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury. Don is a 1989 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

“We’re excited to have Don join the Hartline Barger family,” added managing partner Larry Grayson. “He has the experience and quality of work our clients expect from Hartline Barger.”

The Santa Fe office is located at 141 E. Palace Ave, Garden Level Suite #2, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501.

The Albuquerque office is located at 500 Marquette NW, Suite 770, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102.

About Hartline Barger
Hartline Barger LLP is a Texas-based law firm specializing in civil litigation and trials, with offices in Dallas, Houston, Corpus Christi, Waco, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on providing uncompromising excellence to their clients in a variety of areas, including products liability, commercial litigation, class action and multidistrict litigation, trucking & transportation, personal injury defense, premises liability, labor & employment, insurance defense, healthcare, construction, and dealer/franchise litigation. For more information about Hartline Barger, visit www.hartlinebarger.com.

06/05/19 | In Memoriam: Noé Reyna

It is with great sadness that we announce that Noé Reyna, our colleague and beloved friend, passed away on May 21^st. Noé joined our Corpus Christi office as an Of Counsel attorney in 2016, and quickly distinguished himself with his exceptional research and writing skills. His quiet manner, his sense of humor, his altruistic nature, his dedication to excellent work and his friendship will be dearly missed.

For more on Noé’s unique journey through life, we encourage you to read his full obituary here.

Noe-Reyna

05/22/19 | Attorneys Jeff Patterson and Luke Spencer Published in Litigation Section of SBoT

Hartline Barger LLP attorneys Jeff Patterson and Luke Spencer were published in the Spring 2019 issue of the Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas’ News For The Bar. Their paper, “Lessons Learned in Jury Research: Mock Jurors, Shadow Jurors, Post-Truth Jurors, and Jury Consultants,” covers the strategic use of jury consultants and mock trials for trial preparation. You can access the paper via this link.

04/12/19 | Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP Is Now Hartline Barger LLP

HDBD Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a New Name and a New Look

As it begins its second quarter century in practice, Texas-based civil litigation and trial firm Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP is excited to announce its new name, Hartline Barger LLP. Along with the name change, the firm has adopted a modern visual identity, including a distinct new logo and refreshed website.

The new brand identity is a direct reflection of the firm’s promise made on its founding 25 years ago: to reject outdated approaches and attitudes, and embrace smarter, simpler, and more efficient solutions. “A long, convoluted name didn’t fit our style,” said firm Managing Partner Larry Grayson. “So we simplified it. It is a natural evolution that mirrors how we practice law.”

As a result of this change:

The firm’s website and external communications will reflect our new name and logo. The firm website address is now hartlinebarger.com.
Firm email addresses are now FirstinitialLastname@hartlinebarger.com. Messages sent to previous email addresses will redirect to the current addresses.

Despite the new name and new look, Hartline Barger will continue its tradition of practicing law with a unique Texas sensibility. The firm’s approach – emphasizing efficiency, collaboration, and results – remains the same.

Hartline Barger: Looking forward to another 25 years.

04/02/19 | Jeff Patterson to Present at 2019 ABA Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference

Hartline Barger LLP partner Jeff Patterson will present at the 2019 ABA/TIPS Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Conference in San Diego, CA on April 4th. Considered the premiere national CLE on motor vehicle litigation, this American Bar Association-hosted program features leading figures from the industry, in-house counsel, and trial lawyers covering the issues that are on the cutting edge of what is happening in both the industry and the courtroom. Jeff, who has once again been selected to speak at this annual event, will present this year on the topic of jury research.

With over 60 mock trials under his belt, Jeff has considerable experience with all aspects of jury research & consulting. His presentation, “Lessons Learned in Jury Research,” will offer insight into the evolution of selecting and talking to juries. This talk will also consider the challenges faced by “post-truth” jurors, a trial lawyer’s view on using jury consultants and shadow juries, and missteps to avoid in mock trials. He is set to speak on the main stage on April 4th at 2:30 PM.

03/06/19 | Ten Hartline Barger Attorneys Selected for the 2019 Texas Rising Stars® List

Once again, a substantial number of attorneys from Hartline Barger LLP have earned recognition from their peers by being selected for inclusion in the 2019 Texas Rising Stars® list. Awarded to fewer than 2.5% of lawyers statewide, the Rising Stars designation recognizes attorneys who are under the age of 40, or who have been in practice for no more than 10 years. These annual selections are based on a rigorous, multiphase process, including peer nominations and review, and independent research. Ten of the firm’s attorneys received this recognition, including partners J. Reid Simpson and Stephanie Roark.

Hartline Barger congratulates its attorneys listed in Texas Rising Stars 2019:

About Hartline Barger

Hartline Barger LLP is a Texas-based law firm specializing in civil litigation and trials, with offices in Dallas, Corpus Christi, Houston, and Waco. The firm’s attorneys pride themselves on providing uncompromising excellence to their clients in a variety of areas, including products liability, commercial litigation, class action and multidistrict litigation, intellectual property, personal-injury defense, premises liability, labor and employment, insurance coverage, healthcare, construction, and dealer/franchise litigation. For more information about Hartline Barger, visitwww.hdbdlaw.com.

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