Steven K. Hayes

Steven Hayes Bio

Email: shayes@stevehayeslaw.com

777 Main Street
Suite 600
Fort Worth, Texas   76102

817-371-8759 (Direct Dial)
817-394-4436 (Fax)

Meetings with Mr. Hayes will be by appointment only.

VCARD
PDF

Practice Area

  • Appellate

Previous Practice Areas

  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance Coverage & Litigation
  • Mass Torts
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Probate & Estate Administration
  • Wills & Trusts

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School (1980)
  • B.A., Austin College, summa cum laude (1977)

Martindale-Hubble ® Rating: AV

Best Lawyers in America ® (2019 - Present)

Texas Super Lawyer, Texas
Monthly (2009 - present; Top 100, 2020 - present)

Tarrant County Top Appellate
Lawyers, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine
(2008 - present)

360 West Magazine Top Attorney
(2017-present)

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals,
    Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court,
    (all Districts in Texas)

Other Experience and Service

  • American Law Institute (Member 2005 - present)
  • Assistant County Attorney, Bell County, Texas (1984 - 1985)
  • Briefing Attorney, Supreme Court of Texas (1980-1981)
  • Successfully petitioned the Supreme Court of Texas to reverse a court of appeals decision concerning whether a premises occupier owed a duty to warn an independent contractor of a property condition known to the contractor, in an activity under the contractor’s control. Gen. Elec. Co., et al., v. Moritz, 257 S.W.3d 211 (Tex. 2008)
  • Obtained a reversal of a trial court’s summary judgment concerning which party bore the risk of loss on monies delivered to an attorney pending the outcome of litigation pursuant to a settlement agreement read into the record. Fischer v. Boozer, No. 02-19-00320-CV, 2021 WL 593446, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 9980 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 16, 2021, no pet. hist.) (mem. op. on rehearing)
  • Won affirmance of trial court order denying plaintiff’s TCPA motion to dismiss breach of contract counterclaim. Jackson v. Kell Auto Sales, Inc., No. 02-21-00106-CV, 2021 WL 5367846, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 9376 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 18, 2021, no pet. hist.) (mem. op.)
  • Conducted oral argument leading to reversal of trial court’s order which dismissed claims under TCPA and awarded $90,000+ in attorney’s fees to opposing party. SSCP Mgmt. v. Sutherland/Palumbo, LLC, No. 02-19-00254-CV, 2020 WL 7640150, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 10209 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 23, 2020, pet. denied) (mem. op. on rehearing)
  • Served as local counsel for party which obtained reversal of trial court’s denial of plea to the jurisdiction regarding a Rule 202 petition. City of San Francisco, et al v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. 02-18-00106-CV, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 5226, 2020 WL 3969558 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 18, 2020, pet. filed) (mem. op.)
  • Obtained a reversal of a trial court summary judgment on a question of first impression in Texas involving the interpretation of joint use agreements between electrical cooperatives and telephone companies. Tri-County Elec. Coop., Inc. v. GTE Southwest Inc., 490 S.W.3d 530 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, 2016, no pet.).
  • Obtained a court of appeals ruling that a breach of contract claim against a utility fell within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Public Utility Commission, which required the plaintiff to first file its claim with that agency before suing in court. Oncor Elec. Delivery Co. LLC v. Giovanni Homes Corp., 438 S.W.3d 644, 645 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2014, pet. denied)
  • Assisted trial counsel by drafting motion and briefing which convinced trial court to reverse its announced decision to award attorney’s fees of nearly $1 million on Defendant’s counterclaim (which alleged breach of a release).
  • Successfully responded to Petitions for Review in the Supreme Court of Texas in Case No. 10-0119, styled Ragira v. VIP Lodging Group, et al., and in Case No. 11-0984, styled Pamela Kay Carpenter and Jeffrey Scott Carpenter v. Robert Joseph Carpenter, et al., pet. denied.
  • Won affirmance of summary judgment for client in a case in which court of appeals held that the statute preserving governmental claims from the operation of certain statutes of limitations (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 16.061) did not obviate the statute of limitations found in Section 2.275 of the Uniform Commercial Code, and that the economic loss rule supported the summary judgment. Tarrant County Hospital District v. GE Automation Services, Inc., et al., 156 S.W.3d 885 (Tex. App. — Fort Worth 2005, no pet.).
  • Obtained dismissal of lawsuit seeking $70,000,000 following service of discovery which put Plaintiff in position of admitting no damages or that statutes of limitations barred claims.
  • First chair trial counsel in cases in Federal and State courts in half a dozen counties and three Judicial Administrative Districts, including both civil and criminal cases.
  • Served as lead and coordinating counsel for Advance Stores, Inc., and Western Auto Supply Company on litigation in the South and Southwest involving leases of commercial properties.
  • Extensive experience in mass tort litigation involving products liability and agriculture, including TMJ litigation and litigation involving Benlate®.
  • Drafted legislation to enhance the ability of Texas courts to efficiently handle mass litigation (V.T.C.A., Gov't. Code, §74.094(e) and (f)).
  • In addition to the work described above, Steve has handled cases involving commercial issues, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, collections, criminal prosecution, Miller Act and construction contract claims and claims involving fraud and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
  • Author of various articles and speeches on appellate law and procedure, including empirical studies of trends and tendencies of The Supreme Court of Texas, and empirical studies of oral arguments and mandamus proceedings before the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • Publishes a compilation of the issues raised in civil appeals pending before that the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, Texas, as well as a compilation of error preservation decisions in Texas courts of appeals.
  • American Law Institute (Member 2005 - present)
  • Bell Lampasas Mills Counties Bar Association (former Director)
  • Bell Lampasas Mills Counties Young Lawyers Association (former President)
  • Dallas Bar Association
    • Admissions and Membership Committee, 2015 - present (Co-Vice Chair, 2020)
  • Mahon Inn of Court (President, 2009-2010; Counselor, 2008-2009; Treasurer, 2007-2008; Program Chair, 2006-2007; Master, 2005 - 2010; Executive Committee, 2010-2013)
    • Sergeants' Inn of North Texas (Elected 2012)
  • State Bar of Texas
    • Appellate Law Section (Chair, 2016-2017; Executive Council, 2008-2019; Website Committee Co-Chair, 2006-2011; Website Committee, 2004-2011)
    • Litigation Section (Council, 2011-2017; Committees: Online CLE (Co-Chair 2013-2014); News for the Bar (Co-Chair 2011-2013); Law School Ethics (2010-2011))
    • Member, State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee-Business, Consumer, Insurance & Employment (2017-present)
    • Advanced Civil Appellate Law Seminar, Planning Committee (Chair, 2012; Member, 2006; 2008; 2010; 2011; 2013-2022)
    • State Bar of Texas College (Member 2003 - present)
  • Tarrant County Bar Association
    • Director (2005-2008, 2013-2016)
    • 2010 Mentor of the Year, Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers’ Association
    • Appellate Law Section (Chair, 2007-2008)
    • Membership Committee, 2012-2016 (Co-Chair-2013-2016)
    • Bylaws Committee, 2007-2012 (Chair, 2011-2012)
    • Silver Gavel Committee, 2008-2011 (Chair, 2010-2011)
    • CLE Committee (2005-2011)
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel (Former Member, Amicus Curiae Committee)
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow (Co-Chair, District 7 Membership Committee, 2013-2014, 2017-2018)
  • Texas Supreme Court Historical Society (Website Committee, 2011-2013)
  • Tedder v. Gardner Aldrich, LLP, 421 S.W.3d 651 (Tex. 2013)
  • Gen. Elec. Co., et al., v. Moritz, 257 S.W.3d 211 (Tex. 2008)
  • AEP Tex. Cent. Co. v. Arredondo, 612 S.W.3d 289, 291 (Tex. 2020) (amicus)
  • Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. v. Enter. Prods. Partners, L.P., 593 S.W.3d 732 (Tex. 2020) (amicus)
  • Fischer v. Boozer, No. 02-19-00320-CV, 2021 WL 593446, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 9980 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 16, 2021, no pet. hist.) (mem. op. on rehearing)
  • Jackson v. Kell Auto Sales, Inc., No. 02-21-00106-CV, 2021 WL 5367846, 2021 Tex. App. LEXIS 9376 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 18, 2021, no pet. hist.) (mem. op.)
  • SSCP Mgmt. v. Sutherland/Palumbo, LLC, No. 02-19-00254-CV, 2020 WL 7640150, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 10209 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Dec. 23, 2020, pet. denied) (mem. op. on rehearing)
  • City of San Francisco, et al v. Exxon Mobil Corp., No. 02-18-00106-CV, 2020 Tex. App. LEXIS 5226, 2020 WL 3969558 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 18, 2020, pet. filed) (mem. op.)
  • Womack v. Oncor Elec. Delivery Co. LLC, 2019 Tex. App. LEXIS 5887, 2019 WL 3023516 (Tex. App.—Eastland, July 11, 2019, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
  • Tarrant Appraisal Dist. v. Tarrant Reg'l Water Dist., No. 02-17-00042-CV, 2018 WL 547777, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 747 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Jan. 25, 2018), opinion withdrawn by, reconsideration denied by, rehearing denied by, substituted opinion at Tarrant Appraisal Dist. v. Tarrant Reg'l Water Dist., 547 S.W.3d 917 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2018, no pet.)
  • Tri-County Elec. Coop., Inc. v. GTE Southwest Inc., 490 S.W.3d 530 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2016, no pet.).
  • Ard v. Hudson, No. 02-13-00198-CV, 2015 WL 4967045, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 8727 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Aug. 20, 2015, pet. granted) (mem. op.) unopposed motion to vacate and remand pursuant to settlement granted, Case No. 15-0705, June 23, 2017.
  • In re Fisher, 433 S.W.3d 574, 575 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2012) (orig. pro.), mandamus granted In re Fisher, 2014 Tex. LEXIS 164 (Tex. 2014)
  • Mote Res., Inc. v. Gardner, No. 02-12-00175-CV, 2013 WL 6046530, 2013 Tex. App. LEXIS 14071 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 14, 2013), Motion granted by, Opinion withdrawn by, Remanded by, Settled by Mote Res., Inc. v. Gardner, 2014 WL 3696030, 2014 Tex. App. LEXIS 8026 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, July 24, 2014)
  • Oncor Elec. Delivery Co. LLC v. Giovanni Homes Corp., 438 S.W.3d 644 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2014, pet. denied).
  • Theodis Dodson v. Robert Ford, No. 02-12-00168-CV, 2013 WL 5433915, 2013 Tex. App. Lexis 12159 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Sept. 26, 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.).
  • Pamela Kay Carpenter and Jeffrey Scott Carpenter v. Robert Joseph Carpenter, et al, No. 02-10-00243-CV, 2011 WL 5118802, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 8587 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Oct. 27, 2011, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
  • In re Pemmaraju, No. 02-11-00085-CV, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 3233, at *1 (App.—Fort Worth Apr. 27, 2011) (orig. pro.) (mem. op.)
  • Texas Ethics Commission v. Toby Goodman, No. 02-09-00094-CV, 2010 WL 323544, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 607 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth, Jan. 28, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.).
  • Adobe Land Corporation, et al, v. Griffin, L.L.C., 236 S.W.3d 351 (Tex. App. — Fort Worth 2007, pet. denied).
  • Transport International Pool, Inc. d/b/a GE Capital Modular Space v. The Continental Insurance Company and Continental Casualty Company, 166 S.W.3d 781 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.).
  • Tarrant County Hospital District v. GE Automation Services, Inc., et al, 156 S.W.3d 885 (Tex. App. — Fort Worth 2005, no pet.).
  • Cook Pizzi, et al, v. Van Waters & Rogers, Inc., et al., 94 S.W.3d 636 (Tex.App.— Amarillo 2002, pet. denied).
  • Thweatt v. Jackson, No. 3-91-364-CV, 1992 WL 117102, 1992 Tex. App. LEXIS 1415 (Tex. App.—Austin June 3, 1992) opinion withdrawn and superseded on reh’g, 838 S.W.2d 725 (Tex. App.—Austin 1992), and affirmed, 883 S.W.2d 171 (Tex. 1994), cert. denied, Weatherly v. Federal Debt Management, Inc., 513 U.S. 872 (1994).
  • Little v. Ciba-Geigy Corp., CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:98-CV-0002-G, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13062 (N.D. Tex. 1998).
  • Gui Zhi v. Bell Helicopter Textron, CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:97-CV-404-Y (Consolidated with 4:97-CV-403-Y and 4:97-CV-405-Y), 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20374 (N.D. Tex. 1997)
  • Gui Zhi v. Bell Helicopter Textron, CIVIL ACTION NO. 4:97-CV-404-Y (Consolidated with 4:97-CV-403-Y and 4:97-CV-405-Y), 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19883 (N.D. Tex. 1997)

Law Office of Steven K. Hayes

777 Main Street, Suite 600
Fort Worth, Texas   76102
Phone: 817/371-8759
Fax:     817/394-4436
Email: shayes@stevehayeslaw.com

Meetings with Mr. Hayes will be by appointment only.

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