Jeff Whitfield
BIOGRAPHY
Jeff Whitfield represents businesses and individuals facing a wide variety of legal and policy challenges, including but not limited to contract disputes, election challenges, securities litigation, products and premises liability, international law issues, statutory construction, and questions of constitutionality.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Mr. Whitfield attained the rank of Captain while serving as an active duty Air Force Officer. Following his military service, he worked his way through law school as legislative aide to Texas State Senator John Whitmire. From law school, Mr. Whitfield served with the team prosecuting war criminals at the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia located in the Hague, Netherlands. He then served as law clerk to Judge Rhesa H. Barksdale on the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Mr. Whitfield serves on the board of directors for a number of nonprofit and civic organizations, and is the Pro Bono Coordinator for the firm.
EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS
- Defeated election challenge filed against Democratic state legislator-elect by the defeated incumbent
- Defeated term-limit and election lawsuit filed against governmental entity
- Successfully prosecuted bet-the-business litigation allowing veteran-owned business to recover debt from French aerospace company
- Recovered significant funds for the military-veteran employee-affinity group of one of the largest companies in the world
- Defeated product liability lawsuit against a company with one of the world’s most valuable brands
- Represented corporation and individual defendants against defamation claims
- Advise international clients on recognition of judgments in foreign courts
- Represented class members in class action against major online retailer which resulted in multi-million dollar settlement
- Successfully defended law firms and attorneys in professional malpractice cases
- Represented homeowner in dispute with homeowners’ association
- Defeated shareholder-derivative lawsuit which sought to obstruct a merger
- Successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of veterans killed by exposure to toxic substances during their military service or through their work in industry following military service
- Successfully advocated for clients with zoning issues before the city council and zoning commission
- Successfully prosecuted contested divorce and child custody modification for client facing unique challenges
AFFILIATIONS
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- United Way of Tarrant County, Board of Directors
- Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans, Founding Member and Chair
- United Way Veterans Fund Committee
- Rotary Club of Fort Worth
- Member of the Board of Governors, B.H. Carroll Theological Institute
- Leadership Fort Worth, Class of 2013
HONORS
- Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2025
- Commercial Litigation
- Top Attorney, 360 West magazine
- Government and Administrative, 2024
- International Law, 2022, 2023
- Professional Malpractice Non Medical Defense Law, 2019-2021
- Family Law, 2018
- Civil Law | Litigation, 2017
- Products Liability Law, 2017
- Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2014-2018, 2023, 2024
- Civil Law | Litigation
- Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2013-2017
- Community Champion Award Finalist, Presbyterian Night Shelter Fort Worth, 2017
- Featured as the Texas Rising Star cover story (“At Your Service: Lessons Learned in the Air Force Inspire Jeff Whitfield Both On and Off Duty”), 2014
- 40 Under 40 honoree, Fort Worth Business Press, 2013
- Kelly Hart Pro Bono Award Honoree
EDUCATION
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2007
- Texas International Law Journal, Staff
- Texas Law Fellowships, Director
- The University of Bradford, England, MA and MPhil, 2004
- Fulbright Scholar
- Rotary World Peace Fellow
- United States Air Force Academy, B.S., 1996
- Distinguished Graduate
- The Outstanding Graduate in Legal Studies
- The Outstanding Cadet in Military Arts and Sciences
ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of Louisiana,
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas