Jeffrey R. Grable

Biography

Jeffrey R. Grable began his legal career in 1996, established a varied and successful trial and appellate practice, and joined Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP in 2002. He is a partner in the firm’s Energy practice group and represents both producers and operators, and individual mineral owners/lessors in complex trials, appeals and arbitrations in all types of energy-related disputes.

Mr. Grable presently serves on the board of Imagination Celebration Fort Worth, which works with the FWISD to enrich the arts curriculum of its students through cultural events and special programs.

Outside the office, Mr. Grable enjoys spending time with his wife and also golf and travel.

Education & Honors

• Vanderbilt University, B.A., 1993
• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 1996
  • Texas Tech Law Review 1994-1996
  • Student writing editor, 1995-1996
• AV Rated, Martindale Hubble
• Selected as a "Top Attorney" in Fort Worth, Texas magazine, 2007
• Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Super Lawyers, 2009, 2010

Admission & Affiliations

• Texas, 1996
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 1997
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, 1997
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1998
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 1999
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2008 
• Tarrant County Bar Association
• State Bar of Texas, Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section
• State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
• Fort Worth/ Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association

representative Matters

    Energy Litigation

• Represented heirs of lessor in their defense of a mineral receivership application brought by lessee-producer involving significant Barnett Shale gas unit.  Obtained judgment after bench-trial in favor of clients awarding mineral ownership and clearing title.
• Represented large energy company-lessor in defense of a trespass-to-try-title action involving "strip-and-gore doctrine.  Obtained final judgment in client's favor following hearing on cross-motions for summary judgment disposing of all of the plaintiff's claims.
• Represented oil and gas exploration company in AAA arbitration involving claims arising from Joint Operating Agreement expenses.  Obtained early dispositive rulings in client's favor instrumental in yielding settlement of dispute.

    Commercial Litigation

• Represented Class I railroad as plaintiff in a multi million dollar breach of contract action against an intermodal logistics company stemming from a catastrophic derailment. Obtained summary judgment in client’s favor, eventually resulting in a significant settlement and recovery.
• Defended out-of-state manufacturer of vinyl film products and its employee against misappropriation of trade secrets claims and breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by a Dallas-based company in Dallas County District Court. Served as trial co-counsel, obtaining a defense verdict and take-nothing judgment on all of the plaintiff’s claims. Prior to trial, the plaintiff had demanded $3 million.
• Represented local electric utility as co-counsel in commercial arbitration proceeding to enforce provisions of project development agreement and related loan documents with inventor/patent holder. Inventor counter-claimed seeking damages and future lost profits in excess of $100 million. After a multi-day arbitration hearing, panel awarded no damages to counterclaimant and enforced the provisions of project development agreement and loan documents according to client’s requested relief.
• Represented attorney as defendant in defamation suit filed in federal court in Sherman, Texas. Libel claim and related tort theories arose from client’s representation of a member of contemplated but aborted partnership to hold renowned performance stallion for breeding. Obtained complete summary judgment on all of the plaintiff’s claims, resulting in dismissal of client from complex and expensive partnership litigation.
• Served as co-counsel in successful turnover proceeding brought on behalf of prominent transportation company client resulting in recovery of substantial mistaken distribution of pension benefits to former spouse of plan member. Successfully defended turnover order and recovery at the Fort Worth Court of Appeals in the face of challenge that overpayment constituted exempt property under Texas Property Code and Internal Revenue Code.

Publications & Speeches

• "Texas Steps in Harms Way: Reversible Error Established When Suit is Transferred From Plaintiff’s Original County of Proper Venue to Another County of Proper Venue: Wilson v. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department," 37 Tex. Sup. Ct. J. 1147 (June 22, 1994), 26 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 139 (1995).
• Author," Update: Forum Non Conveniens "– National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel Special Litigation Conference, February 1-3, 2001, Park City, Utah.