J. Austin Franklin

BIOGRAPHY

Austin Franklin is a partner in the firm’s Litigation section. Mr. Franklin’s practice focuses on representing corporate and individual clients in a wide variety of litigation in state and federal courts involving commercial disputes, breach of contract actions, and employment matters.

Mr. Franklin recently served as law clerk to the Honorable Mark T. Pittman and the Honorable Terry R. Means at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Prior to joining Kelly Hart, Mr. Franklin served on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps representing the Army, military personnel, federal government employees, and federal agents. He has extensive litigation experience in federal courts and courts-martial. Mr. Franklin has advised clients in matters related to consumer protection, administrative law, family law, military law, and national security representation.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

Trial Defense Counsel

• Provided legal representation and support to the soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley
• Represented soldiers at courts-martial, separation proceedings, administrative hearings, and throughout criminal investigations

Special Assistant to the United States Attorney

• Secured multiple convictions as Special Assistant to the United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas

Operational Law

• Advised commanders in the area of operational law, fiscal law, and administrative law
• Provided legal advice to General Officers for hundreds of deliberate and dynamic strikes in an active combat zone, and authored fiscal reviews for equipment and services totaling over $8.5 million

Administrative Law and Legal Assistance

• Advised commanders and investigating officers at Fort Riley for hundreds of legal actions involving military justice, ethics, and administrative investigations
• Advised hundreds of clients in matters related to family law, consumer protection, and military administration, and drafted more than 75 complex estate plans

AFFILIATIONS AND HONORS

• Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
  • Board of Directors, 2019-2023
• Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Barrister Member
• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Tarrant County Bar Association

 HONORS

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Best Lawyers®, U.S. News & World Report, 2023-2025
  • Administrative | Regulatory Law
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2022, 2023
  • Business Litigation
• Top Attorney, 360 West magazine
  • Government and Administrative Law, 2021-2024
  • Civil Law | Transactional, 2019
• Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine
  • Civil Law | Litigation, 2021, 2023

EDUCATION

• Law Clerk to the Honorable Mark T. Pittman and the Honorable Terry R. Means, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2019-2020
• Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School
  • Defense Counsel 201, 2017
  • Advanced Trial Advocacy Course, 2016
  • Defense Counsel 101, 2016
  • Intermediate Trial Advocacy Course, 2016
  • 193rd Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, 2014
• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D., 2013
  • Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law, Vol. 4, Editor-in-Chief
  • Texas Bank Lawyer, Contributing Writer
  • Board of Barristers Advocacy Organization, Committee Director
  • Tech Law Military Association, President
  • Phi Alpha Delta Professional Law Fraternity, Member
• Texas Tech University, Jerry S. Rawls College of Business, M.B.A., 2013
• Texas Christian University, Bob Schieffer College of Communications, B.S., cum laude, 2009 
• Distinguished Military Graduate, Army Reserves Officer Training Corps                                          

ADMISSIONS

• State Bar of Texas, 2013
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS

• Speaker, “Leading through Intention,” HUB Leadership Summit, August 2023
• Guest Lecturer, “Legal Disputes: What to Expect,” TCU Neeley School of Business, Legal Environment of Business, April 2021
• Guest Lecturer, “Life Cycle of a Lawsuit,” TCU Neeley School of Business, Legal Environment of Business, April 2021.
• Guest Lecturer, “Fundamentals of Negotiation,” TCU Neeley School of Business, Essentials of Negotiation MANA 70610 081, March 2021
• Speaker, “Operation Inherent Resolve Deliberate and Dynamic Targeting:  Lessons Learned,” 198th Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course, 2016
• Author, “New Kansas Concealed-Carry Laws and the Impact on the Big Red One,” Fort Riley Post, 2015
• Author, “Are Super Security Measures Needed to Prevent Attacks on the Super Bowl (and other “Mass Gatherings”)?,” Journal of Biosecurity, Biosafety, and Biodefense Law, Vol.5 (2014)
• Speaker, “Professional Responsibility and Suicide Prevention,” Fort Riley Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 2014