Donald E. Herrmann

Biography

Donald E. Herrmann attended The University of Texas at Austin, receiving his bachelor of business administration (Finance) in 1968 and doctor of jurisprudence, with honors, in 1974. Between undergraduate and law schools, he served in the United States Air Force. Mr. Herrmann has practiced law continuously in Fort Worth since 1974, joining Kelly, Hart & Hallman as a partner in 1985.

Mr. Herrmann has over thirty years trial and appellate experience in civil litigation, representing individual and commercial clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in matters as diverse as business torts, intellectual property claims, construction disputes, employment disputes, and various contract and property rights claims. He also writes and lectures frequently at state and local continuing legal education programs.

His professional peers have recognized Mr. Herrmann as a preeminent litigation attorney in numerous magazines and journals. He is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a Sustaining Charter Fellow of the Tarrant Bar foundation, and the Immediate Past President of the Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court. Recently, Mr. Herrmann was elected to membership in The American Law Institute and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Don is married to Pamela Kay Herrmann and has two sons, Clay and Kit. His favorite golf course is Spyglass Hill, Monterrey.

Education & Honors

• University of Texas, B.B.A., 1968
• University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1974
• Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Sustaining Charter Fellow, Tarrant County Bar Foundation
• Emeritus Member, Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Courts
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2003-2006
• Elected Member, The American Law Institute, 2003
• Selected, Attorneys of Excellence, Fort Worth Business Press, 2003-2006
• Selected, Greater Fort Worth’s Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas magazine, 2003
• Former Director, Texas Association of Defense Counsel
• Selected, Texas Super Lawyer, Law & Politics magazine, 2003-2009

Admission & Affiliations

• Texas, 1974
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1983
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1982
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1989
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1998
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit, 2000
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1974
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 1987
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1997
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2002

Significant Matters

• Lead appellate counsel in a recent dispute resulting in a significant Texas Supreme Court decision concerning aider and abettor liability under the Texas Securities Act
• Lead trial and appellate counsel in numerous recent complex business disputes, including for example:
  • Representation of a major railroad in litigation arising from asset sale agreements
  • Representation of a publicly traded pharmaceutical company in litigation arising from a contract to purchase specially manufactured equipment
  • Representation of owners of radio and television properties in litigation arising from a property management agreement
  • Representation of an independent oil company in litigation concerning the inverse condemnation of mineral properties
  • Representation of an internationally known electronics manufacturer in a suit for damages resulting from a complex business fraud
• Lead counsel in many other cases involving intellectual property rights, securities law claims, contract disputes, insurance coverage disputes and other business and commercial issues

Publications & Speeches

• Writer and lecturer for various CLE programs, most recently:
  • Tarrant County Brown Bag Seminar (2006)
  • State Bar of Texas Securities Litigation and Arbitration Institute (2004)
  • Tarrant County Bar Association jury Innovations Seminar (2002)
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel Summer Seminar (2001)
  • Tarrant County Bar Association Appellate Law Seminar (2000)