Brian s. Stagner

Biography

Brian S. Stagner joined the firm’s litigation practice group in 1997 after graduating summa cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law. Since then, he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex business litigation at both the trial and appellate level, including in arguments before the Texas Supreme Court, intermediate state and federal appellate courts, and trial courts across the nation. His practice areas include class actions, complex commercial litigation, and administrative litigation.

For the years 2004 through 2010, Mr. Stagner was recognized among the "Texas Rising Stars" in the legal profession, as published in Texas Monthly magazine. Mr. Stagner also was voted by his peers as among the city’s best attorneys five times in three different categories in polls conducted by Fort Worth, Texas magazine.

Mr. Stagner’s community service includes Habitat for Humanity, service on the Charity Golf Committee of the Young Professionals Association for the Lena Pope Home, and assisting in the construction of Bearcat Park in Aledo, Texas. He and his wife, Amy, are raising two young daughters, Claire and Katie.

Education & Honors

• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1997
  • Order of the Coif
  • Comment Editor, Texas Tech Law Review
  • Board of Barristers’ Competition Champion
• Angelo State University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1994
• Voted one of Fort Worth’s best attorneys in the areas of Appellate Law, Technology Law, and Class Action Litigation, in polls conducted by Fort Worth, Texas magazine for the years 2003 through 2007 and 2009 
• Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Texas Super Lawyers, 2004-2010
• Honored as one of Fort Worth's Top "40 Under 40", regardless of profession, by Fort Worth Business Press, 2007
• Best Lawyers in America, 2010 Edition, Commercial Litigation 

Admission & Affiliations

• Texas, 1997
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit 
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation 
• Member, Tarrant County Bar Foundation

Significant Matters

• Trial co-counsel, and lead appellate counsel, in the largest trademark verdict in Texas history – approximately $56 million
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice for leading on-line travel company in nationwide class action lawsuit alleging deceptive trade practices in the collection of hotel taxes and fees
• Represented one of the world’s largest airlines in a series of national class actions alleging privacy violations in the aftermath of 9/11. Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all suits
• Served as appellate counsel for a Texas manufacturing company, successfully upholding $11 million verdict in its favor 
• Represents national oil producer in multiple class action lawsuits brought by commercial fisherman and Louisiana property owners alleging damages from the oil spilled during Hurricane Katrina
• Served as appellate counsel for a Texas technology company, successfully upholding a $17 million verdict in its favor
• Defended a national book distributor against claims of fraud, breach of contract, and tortious interference. The arbitration panel awarded no damages to claimants
• Represented a professional sports franchise in a class action lawsuit brought under federal law. The class representatives sought in excess of $100 million, but settled for a nominal amount after the filing of summary judgment motions
• Represented a scientific research and development company in a duty to defend dispute with its insurance carrier. Obtained and collected a summary judgment in excess of $1.3 million
• Served as lead appellate counsel for Texas oil and gas producer, successfully upholding $2.5 million verdict in its favor
• Defended a national pharmaceutical company in a series of product liability claims alleging arachnoiditis and death. Prevailed on summary judgment in the first lawsuit, leading to a favorable settlement of all remaining cases
• Represented the City of Fort Worth in its dispute with the City of Dallas concerning expanded service at Love Field. The matter involved three separate lawsuits, an administrative proceeding before the United States Department of Transportation, and three separate appeals, including one to the United States Supreme Court

Publications & Speeches

• "Federalism and Its Implications, or What to Do When Your State Court Action is Being Collaterally Attacked in Federal Court,” Tarrant County Bar Bulletin, April, 1999
• "Avoiding Abstention: The Younger Exceptions," Texas Tech Law Review, Fall 1997
• "Interlocutory Appeals in State Court: All the Things You Never Wanted to Know (But Need to Learn Anyway)," Tarrant County Bar Seminar Series, January, 2007