Tag: Hartline

Tennessee Court of Appeals Reverses $31m Verdict Against Navistar

Posted on August 27, 2019 by - News, Verdicts

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 14th, 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)

Hartline Barger LLP Opens New Offices in Santa Fe & Albuquerque, Adds New Partner, Don DeCandia

Posted on July 1, 2019 by - News

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.

Hartline Dacus Barger Dreyer LLP Is Now Hartline Barger LLP

Posted on April 12, 2019 by - News

Hartline Barger LLP Logo

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.

Hartline Barger LLP Elects Tyler Stuart and Clayton Callen to Partnership, Larry Grayson Elected to Managing Partner

Posted on January 23, 2019 by - News

Hartline Barger LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Dallas attorneys Clayton Callen and Tyler Stuart to partners in the firm, effective immediately.

“Tyler and Clayton have both exhibited the kind of judgment, work ethic and trial skills we want in our partners,” said managing partner Larry Grayson. “Their promotion to partnership is well-deserved and strengthens our firm.”

Tyler Stuart’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, automotive and equipment product liability, personal injury defense, contracts, warranty, fraud and deceptive trade practices. Before joining the firm in 2015, Tyler gained significant litigation experience at a notable firm in Dallas assisting in all areas of the firm’s commercial and personal injury litigation practice. During that time, Tyler served as lead associate on a case involving a dispute over natural gas rights and received a jury verdict of $38 million for the client.

Tyler earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 2006 and his B.A. from Baylor University in 2003.

Clayton Callen focuses his practice in the areas of civil litigation and political law. He has litigated a wide range of cases in state and federal courts across the country. This includes extensive litigation experience in cases involving complex commercial matters, products liability, constitutional law, election law, and “whistle-blower” claims under the False Claims Act, at both the trial court and appellate court levels. Additionally, Clayton serves as part of the national trial team for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company, implementing strategies for and managing litigation pending nationwide. Clayton has been recognized among Super Lawyers® “Texas Rising Stars” by Thompson Reuters five times since 2012.

Clayton earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and his B.S., magna cum laude, from Southwest Baptist University.

Additionally, the partnership has elected Larry Grayson to serve as Managing Partner of the firm’s four offices.  In addition to being one of the seven founding partners of the firm, Larry served as the firm’s first Managing Partner from 1994 to 2011.

Larry Grayson has represented clients throughout the State of Texas in a variety of cases, including wrongful death suits, insurance coverage and commercial disputes, product liability suits, dram shop litigation, wrongful termination and employment claims, as well as general negligence actions. Along with representing automotive, truck and heavy-duty equipment manufacturers, Larry has obtained successful outcomes for various retailers and suppliers in a wide range of industries. He has also served on defense steering committees in mass tort litigation. In addition to maintaining an active trial practice, Larry serves as the firm managing partner, a position he previously held for almost a decade after founding the firm.