Donald E. Godwin
Chairman and CEO

Biography

Donald E. Godwin is considered one of the most respected and tenacious trial lawyers in Texas. For approximately 35 years Don has tried significant jury cases in courts throughout Texas and across the United States. He has the ability to translate complex matters of law and fact into easily understandable language for courts and juries. Don's practice covers a broad range of areas with an emphasis on complex litigation, including oil and gas, environmental, fiduciary duties, will contests, major family law disputes and business torts.

Don was the lead counsel for Halliburton in its asbestos and silica litigation. He negotiated the global settlement of Halliburton's approximately 382,000 asbestos claims throughout the United States that took him approximately one year to accomplish. In addition to being recognized as a leading trial lawyer in the United States, Don has also earned the reputation among corporate executives, their legal departments, and other highly visible individuals as a master negotiator where the risks are substantial and the future and successes of such clients are on the line.

Don is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He received a J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1973, an M.S. in Accounting from Memphis State University in 1970 and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in 1969.

Education

  • Board Certified, Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1979
  • AV rated Martindale-Hubbell
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (J.D., 1973)
  • Memphis State University (M.S., Accounting, 1970)
  • University of North Carolina, Wilmington (B.S., 1969)

Representative Experience

      Commercial Litigation
    • Federal and state securities fraud
    • Officers and Directors liability
    • Contract disputes
    • Breach of confidentiality agreements
    • Breach of trade secret agreements
    • Breach of supply agreements
    • Sherman, Clayton, and Robinson-Patman actions
      Environmental Litigation
    • Defend companies against claims involving hazardous waste dumping allegations
    • Defend companies against personal injury and property damage claims resulting from plant emissions
      Mass Tort Litigation
    • Defended Halliburton, Dresser and Brown & Root in their asbestos- and silica-related litigation throughout Texas
    • Defend major apparel company in its asbestos litigation in South Texas
    • Defend major manufacturing company in its asbestos litigation in Montana
      Energy Litigation
    • Disputes involving take-or-pay gas contracts
    • Gas processing and gas balancing agreements
    • Disputes involving cross-licensing agreements
    • Royalty disputes between producers and interest owners
    • Gas well blowout disputes in Louisiana and Texas
    • Actions for theft of oil from tank farms
    • Refinery explosions involving multiple deaths and serious bodily injuries
    • Pipeline explosions in neighborhoods resulting in deaths, bodily injuries and property damages
      Professional Services Litigation
    • Defend attorneys against claims involving negligence, fraud, unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties
    • Defend accountants against claims of negligence, fraud and failures to prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles

Honors and Awards

  • Designated as one of the “Top Five DFW Defenders,“ Dallas Business Journal, 2006
  • Received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Private Practice from SMU Dedman School of Law for 2003
  • Selected as a Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines, 2003 - 2009 (listed in top 100 Texas Super Lawyers & top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Region Super Lawyers)
  • Selected as one of the Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine, 2003, 2005 and 2009
  • Selected in the Dallas Business Journal's list of the Top 10 Litigators/Trial Lawyers in the D/FW Metroplex, 2003

Representative Clients

  • Andrews Distributing Company-Distributor of domestic and import beers including Miller and Coors
  • City of Celina
  • Edward Bailey- North Texas McDonald's Partner/Operator
  • ELB Enterprises of Dallas, L.P.
  • Episcopal School of Dallas
  • First Southwest Company
  • FMC Technologies, Inc.
  • Haggar Clothing Co.
  • Halliburton Co.
  • Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
  • Hunt Realty, Inc.
  • Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.
  • Patrizio's Restaurants
  • Phillip Romano-Restaurateur/Entrepreneur
  • Ray Hunt
  • ShawCor
  • Texas Capital Bank

Admitted to Practice

  • State Courts of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Presentations and Publications

  • Frequent lecturer on a variety of topics related to litigation, jury selection, cross-examination techniques and closing arguments at CLE seminars, institutes and trade-association groups throughout the United States
  • Frequent lecturer at Mealey's Institutes on a variety of topics involving defending companies against asbestos claims and how to successfully negotiate global settlements of asbestos and silica claims

Member

  • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
  • Dallas Bar Association, Chairman, Antitrust & Trade Regulation Section, 1980
  • State Bar of Texas
  • William 'Mac' Taylor, Jr. American Inn of Court (Master Member)

Community

  • Board of Directors, Haggar Clothing Co., 2003 to 2005
  • Chair, Dallas Symphony, AT&T Gala, 2004
  • Corporate Underwriting Chair, Prevent Blindness and UT Southwestern Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Ball event, 2004 and 2005
  • Executive Board Member, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2002 to present
  • Outside Counsel and Trustee, Episcopal School of Dallas, 2002 to present
  • Outside Counsel, Dallas Symphony Association, 2002 to 2006
Direct Line: 214.939.4412
Toll Free: 800.662.8393
Fax: 214.939.4803
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dgodwin@GodwinRonquillo.com