Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer & Kern, L.L.P. started out as a firm of trial lawyers known for defending products liability suits. Our clients included an array of product manufacturers ranging from automobiles, tires, automotive components, agricultural products, industrial equipment, cranes, forklifts, heavy equipment, electrical equipment, appliances, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and solvents. In addition, the firm handled a number of large accident cases, including refinery explosions and structure fires, as well as toxic exposure cases.

Over the years, the firm has diversified its practice to include class actions, intellectual property litigation and general commercial matters. Though the firm is not divided into distinct practice groups, the firm’s practice areas fall into three basic categories:

Products Liability:

The firm’s products liability practice continues to be one of the largest in the Southwest, defending manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and retailers against claims ranging from relatively straightforward non-injury matters to complex multi-party cases. Our lawyers have defended cases from coast to coast, acting as local, regional and national counsel. Our lawyers have experience in handling defects relating to air bags, tires, vehicle fires, rollovers, seat belts, seat backs, motorcycles, watercraft, electrical equipment and appliances, to name a few. Our services in the area of products liability include early case evaluation, case development and preparation, management of large and specialty products litigation regionally and nationally and, of course, taking cases to trial when necessary.

Complex Litigation:

The firm also handles a large number of complex matters, including toxic or mass torts, intellectual property matters, antitrust claims and class actions. The firm’s toxic tort practice ranges from single incident exposures to claims of mass exposure by thousands of individuals against dozens of defendants. Our toxic/mass torts attorneys have experience in asbestos, benzene, silica and pharmaceutical cases, to name a few. Members of the firm also have significant experience defending national and statewide class action lawsuits, including consumer class actions, antitrust class actions and “no injury” class actions often seen in the products arena. In recent years, the firm also significantly expanded its intellectual property practice. Our attorneys regularly handle patent and trademark cases, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas where a large percentage of the intellectual property cases are filed today.

General Civil Litigation:

In addition to its products liability and complex litigation practice, the firm handles a variety of general litigation matters for its clients. Examples include general negligence claims, DTPA/consumer litigation, premises liability, dram shop claims, false imprisonment, insurance coverage, warranty claims, contract disputes and other types of general business litigation.

Regardless of whether the client’s needs involve complex, multi-party litigation or small business disputes, the firm is dedicated to providing the same excellence in all aspects of legal representation.