Jeff Whitfield

BIOGRAPHY

Jeff Whitfield is a partner in Kelly Hart’s Litigation section, where he draws on a remarkably diverse background in public service, international diplomacy, and the military to guide clients through high-stakes legal and policy challenges. A formidable trial lawyer, Jeff protects corporate and individual interests across a wide spectrum of complex disputes, recently leading the trial team that secured a landmark $27 million trade secrets jury verdict.

Before entering private practice, Jeff compiled a distinguished record of public and military service. He attained the rank of Captain as an active-duty Air Force Officer and later worked his way through law school serving as a legislative aide to Texas State Senator John Whitmire. Upon graduating, Jeff joined the United Nations international prosecution team in The Hague, Netherlands, where he worked to bring military officers to justice for war crimes committed during the Srebrenica genocide. He then returned to Texas to serve as a federal judicial clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Committed to civic leadership, Jeff serves as Kelly Hart’s Pro Bono Coordinator and anchors the board of directors for numerous regional nonprofit and community organizations, including the United Way of Tarrant County.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Recovered millions of dollars for clients from title insurance companies in cases involving breach of contract and bad faith claims handling
• 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®, Best Lawyers®, 2022-2027
  • Commercial Litigation
• Top Attorney, 360 West magazine
  • Government and Administrative, 2024, 2025
  • International Law, 2022, 2023
  • Professional Malpractice Non-Medical Defense Law, 2019-2021
  • Family Law, 2018
  • Civil Law | Litigation, 2017, 2026
  • 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