Whitney Beckworth

BIOGRAPHY

Ms. Beckworth represents corporate and individual clients in state and federal courts in a variety of matters, including complex commercial disputes, business torts, fraud, breach of contract actions, employment matters, oil and gas litigation, and indemnity and insurance disputes.  Ms. Beckworth has extensive experience with all stages of litigation, from pleading through discovery, motion practice, trial, and appeal, and has participated in civil trials in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and appeals.

Prior to joining Kelly Hart, Ms. Beckworth was an assistant attorney general for the State of Texas, where she gained valuable experience representing various state agencies and entities, including the Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Department of Public Safety, in election law matters and defended the State of Texas at a two-week-long trial in federal court.

Ms. Beckworth graduated from Stanford University in 2008 with a B.A. in Political Science.  While at Stanford, Ms. Beckworth was a four-year letter winner on the Stanford Women’s Tennis Team, winning the NCAA Women’s Tennis Team Championships in 2005 and 2006, serving as co-captain during the 2007-2008 season, and earning Pac-10 All-Academic Selection in 2007 and 2008.

Ms. Beckworth earned her J.D. in 2013 from The University of Texas School of Law.

EXPERIENCE AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Obtained high seven-figure settlement for large E&P company in litigation against OCTG manufacturer and suppliers following the failure of five Delaware basin oil wells due to defective production casing
• Obtained $2.9 million arbitration award in San Antonio along with significant additional recovery for the Seller Plaintiffs in a post-closing dispute following the sale of a vacation rental management company
• Won jury verdict in Dallas County District Court for Plaintiff midstream oil and gas company in case against manufacturers of defective pipe that resulted in a pipeline rupture
• Won First Amendment case before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a large municipality
• Won arbitration in Houston in a case involving claims between two E&P companies for indemnity in connection with legacy operator litigation in Louisiana
• Obtained summary judgment for Dallas-based midstream company in a dispute with a contractor over the construction of a pipeline in West Virginia
• Represented midstream company in contract litigation involving gas gathering, processing, and fractionation
• Represented municipality in a variety of employment matters
• Defended health care company in a defamation case wherein the plaintiff dismissed all claims without monetary compensation
• Successfully defended a municipality against claims challenging the constitutionality of short-term rental ordinance wherein plaintiffs dismissed all claims
• Successfully defended insurance policy holders in insurance coverage disputes

AFFILIATIONS

• Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
• American Bar Association
• Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
• Tarrant County Bar Association
• Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
• Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court
• Trinity River Authority Board of Directors, Former Board Member
• TCBA Women in the Law Luncheon Planning Committee, 2016-2022

HONORS

• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2022-2024
  • Business Litigation
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Best Lawyers®, U.S. News & World Report
  • Appellate Practice, 2021-2025
  • Commercial Litigation, 2023-2025
• 40 Under 40 Recipient, Fort Worth Business Press, 2023
• Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch, Women in the Law, Business Edition, 2021
• Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2021-2024
  • Civil Law | Litigation
  • Appellate
• TVAS Pro Bono Attorney Volunteer Award Recipient, Tarrant County Bar Foundation, 2020
• Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2018-2020, 2022-2023
  • Civil Law | Litigation
• Top Attorney less than five years in practice, Fort Worth Magazine, 2016-2017
  • Civil Law | Litigation
• Top Attorney less than five years in practice, 360 West magazine, 2017
  • Civil Law | Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation

EDUCATION

• The University of Texas Law School, J.D., 2013
  • Texas International Law Journal, Staff Member
• Stanford University, B.A. Political Science, 2008
  • Varsity Women’s Tennis, 2004-2008

ADMISSIONS

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 2019
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2018
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2024
• State Bar of Texas, 2013