Brian S. Stagner

BIOGRAPHY

Brian S. Stagner has handled complex business litigation for over 20 years. He has represented clients on both sides of the docket at both the trial and appellate level, including arguments before the Texas Supreme Court, intermediate state and federal appellate courts, and trial courts in more than 20 states, including New York, California, North and South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Colorado. These disputes have involved consumer class actions, corporate governance, unfair business practices, e-commerce, insurance coverage, taxation, trademark and intellectual property, and other issues.

Mr. Stagner joined the firm’s litigation practice group in 1997 after graduating summa cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law.  Among his many legal accolades, U.S News and World Reports have included Mr. Stagner on The Best Lawyers in America® ranking, every year since 2010.  Mr. Stagner was named to the Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Rising Stars lists which are published by Thomson Reuters. Mr. Stagner was also voted by his peers as among the city’s best attorneys in polls conducted by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West.

Mr. Stagner serves on the Board of Directors for CASA of Parker County.  His other 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.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

• 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
• Represented online travel company in tax disputes with Cities of Anaheim and San Diego, CA. Obtained reversals of administrative awards totaling $7 million
• Served as appellate counsel for a Texas manufacturing company, successfully upholding $11 million verdict in its favor
• 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 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

AFFILIATIONS

• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow

HONORS

• Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2010-2024
  • Commercial Litigation
• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2012-2013, 2020-2022
  • Business Litigation
• Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017, 2021
  • Civil Law | Litigation, 2017, 2021
  • Commercial Litigation, 2018-2020
• Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2003-2007, 2009, 2012-2016, 2018-2020
  • Civil Law | Litigation
• Power Attorney, Fort Worth Business Press, 2014
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2004-2011
  • Business Litigation
• 40 Under 40 honoree, Fort Worth Business Press, 2007

EDUCATION

• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 1997
  • Order of the Coif
  • Texas Tech Law Review, Comments Editor
  • Board of Barristers’ Competition Champion
• Angelo State University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1994

ADMISSIONS

• State Bar of 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
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

• “TROs and Injunctions Under Texas Law,” CLE Seminar for In-House Client Counsel, September, 2010
• “Contract Essentials: Ways to Avoid a Runaway Jury,” CLE Seminar for In-House Client Counsel, December, 2008
• “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
• “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