Our Team
Douglas R. Hafer
PartnerThroughout his career, Douglas Hafer has successfully tried cases in state and federal courts ranging from oil and gas to personal injury to complex business and employment disputes. He has taken and defended hundreds of depositions, briefed and argued over one hundred motions, and has significant appellate court experience.
Areas of Practice
- Business Litigation
- Oil & Gas Litigation
- Estate & Trust Litigation
- Insurance Litigation
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
Education
- SMU Dedman School of Law, JD 1993 — Cum Laude; Leading Articles Editor, Law Review 1991–93
- Trinity University, BS in Business 1989
Honors & Awards
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law (2004)
- Texas Super Lawyer: 2006, 2008–2014, 2020, 2021
- Top Lawyer, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine: 2011–2020
- Martindale-Hubbell AV “Preeminent” Rating: 5.0/5; State Bar College 2000–2001
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Arlington Bar Association (President, 2009)
- Arlington Chamber of Commerce (Chair, 2012–2013)
- Dallas Bar Association
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- The College of Master Advocates and Barristers (Senior Counsel)
Representative Cases
- Webb v. B.C. Rogers, 174 F.3d 697 (5th Cir. 1998)
- Tex. Ass’n Govt. Risk Mgmt. Pool v. Matagorda County, 52 S.W.3d 128 (Tex. 2000)
- Padilla v. Flying J, Inc., 119 S.W.3d 911 (Tex. App. – Dallas 2003)
- Frymire Eng’g Co. v. Jomar Int’l, Ltd., 259 S.W.3d 140 (Tex. 2008)
- Texas Mutual Insurance Co. v. Hofer Builders, Inc., 2019 WL 2847436
Published Works
- “Lost Future Royalties: Lessons from Recent Decisions” (2012)
- “Mineral Royalty Mispayments: The Payor’s Rights, Obligations, and Risks” (2011)
- “Surface-Owner Conflicts: When and How to Obtain a TRO” (2011)
- “A Practical Guide to Operator/Surface-Owner Disputes” (2010)