Atty. David E. Keltner
Formerly a Justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, David Keltner is a highly acclaimed and recognized lawyer in the field of appellate law in Texas. He has served as lead counsel in over 350 appellate decisions and his legal writings have been cited with approval by Texas courts.
'Bet The Company' Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Fort Worth, TX · 51+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About David E. Keltner at a Glance
David E. Keltner is a litigation, adr, and appellate attorney based in Fort Worth, Texas, practicing at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP. They have 51+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1975. Admitted to practice in Texas (1975). Educated at Southern Methodist University (J.D., 1975) and Trinity University (B.A., 1971). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026). Serves clients in Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About David E. Keltner
- Formerly a Justice on the Texas Court of Appeals, David Keltner is a highly acclaimed and recognized lawyer in the field of appellate law in Texas
- He has served as lead counsel in over 350 appellate decisions and his legal writings have been cited with approval by Texas courts
- He has been honored with various prestigious awards and accolades for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession
- From 2021 through 2025, he was recognized as a Star Individual by Chambers USA and has received Band 1 ranking every year since 2007
- He was also recognized as the Go-To Appellate Lawyer in Texas by Texas Lawyer and has been chosen as one of the Top 10 Lawyers in Texas by Thompson Reuters for the last eighteen years, ranking No. 1 in 2009-2011 and 2021-2025
- In addition, he was named Best Lawyers® Appellate Lawyer of the Year for Dallas/Fort Worth in 2016 and 2018 and has received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from ALM | Law.com
- Mr. Keltner has also received recognition for his professionalism and excellence in the practice of law
- He received the American Inns of Court James E. Coleman Jr. Award for Professionalism in the Fifth Circuit, the Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award from the Texas Bar Foundation and the Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award from the College of the State Bar of Texas
- He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a distinction held by only 320 lawyers in the country
Practice Areas Explained
David E. Keltner's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David E. Keltner handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Fort Worth.
Civil Litigation in Fort Worth
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
David E. Keltner is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →
Mediation & Arbitration in Fort Worth
Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.
David E. Keltner is one of 73,315 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Texas →
Appellate Practice in Fort Worth
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
David E. Keltner is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Fort Worth
Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Fort Worth are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Fort Worth Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Fort Worth-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Fort Worth or all attorneys in Texas.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Fort Worth Choose David E. Keltner
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David E. Keltner's practice in the field of litigation, adr, and appellate.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
David E. Keltner brings 51+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering litigation, adr, and appellate, David E. Keltner can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Fort Worth
A Fort Worth-based practice means David E. Keltner attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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