David L. Pratt II
Associate
Burnett Plaza, Suite 2000
801 Cherry St., Unit 46
Fort Worth, TX 76102-6836
Assistant: Gaitrie Gosai
817.336.2400
Practice Areas & Experience
Franchise Law and Intellectual Property:
David focuses the majority of his practice on providing counsel on the various aspects of franchise and distribution law, and prides himself on taking a full-perspective approach and considering each client’s unique business system in developing the legal strategies needed to realize compliant and effective results. David routinely assists business owners with the processes necessary to comply with federal and state disclosure, registration, and business opportunity laws, identification and protection of intellectual property rights, negotiation of multi-unit franchise transactions, preparation of franchise and licensing agreements, business entity selection and formation, and general business law advice.
Appellate Law:
David is also a member of the firm’s appellate practice group, where he represents clients in all levels of appeals from Texas trial courts, as well as appeals from state and federal administrative agencies. David’s appellate practice also focuses on providing trial support for matters likely to be appealed, such as drafting and arguing dispositive motions, preserving error, addressing evidentiary issues, and constructing jury charges
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Reported Opinions. David has presented oral argument and/or authored briefing submitted in the following cases:
Santana v. Arpin America Moving Sys., LLC, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 6295 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, no pet. h.)
Scoresby v. Santillan, 287 S.W.3d 319 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2009, pet. granted)
Civil and Commercial Litigation:
David’s civil and commercial litigation practice encompasses a broad range of cases, including business and contractual disputes, construction defect claims, real estate disputes, and intellectual property litigation. He has represented clients as both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of causes of action, including breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, interference with business relationships, breach of fiduciary duty, and debt collection. David’s litigation practice also focuses on defending clients in a variety of personal injury claims. He has defended numerous doctors and other healthcare professionals against medical malpractice claims in various state and federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and he has represented employers, contractors, trucking companies, and transportation businesses in a variety of personal injury claims.
Other Legal Experience:
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Texas Wesleyan School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Appellate Advocacy (2007-present)
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, Law Clerk (2006)
Education
- The University of Texas at Austin, (B.B.A., Finance, with honors, 2004)
- Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, (J.D., cum laude, 2007)
Court Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
Awards & Recognition
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"Rising Star" by Texas Super Lawyers (2011)
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"Top Attorney" by Fort Worth Texas Magazine (2009, 2010)
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"Scribes Brief-Writing Award" by The American Society of Legal Writers (2007)
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The Order of Barristers National Member (2007)
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National Champion, Ninth Annual Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition (2006)
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Best Brief, Ninth Annual Entertainment Law Moot Court Competition (2006)
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Texas Wesleyan Law Review; Managing Editor (2006 - 2007)
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Texas Wesleyan Law Review; Associate Editor (2005 - 2006)
Published Works
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Franchise Development: Creating Turn-Key Business Systems, Fort Worth Business Press (2010)
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Pursuing Natural Gas Opportunities in Louisiana, Fort Worth Business Press (2009).
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Severance vs. Servitude: Understanding the Differences in Texas and Louisiana Mineral Law, Texas Wesleyan Law Review, Volume 16.1 (2009)
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Fantasy Sports and the Right of Publicity: A Case for Viewing Dissemination of Player Statistics as Fair Use of the News, Texas Wesleyan Law Review, Volume 13.1 (2006)
Speaking Engagements
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Severance vs. Servitude, Urban Gas Drilling Symposium, Fort Worth (2009)
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Trucking Litigation: In it for the Long Haul, Fort Worth Paralegal Association (2008)
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Appellate Brief Writing Workshop, Texas Wesleyan School of Law (2008)
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Appellate Brief Writing Workshop, Texas Wesleyan School of Law (2007)
Memberships
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Fort Worth Tarrant County Young Lawyers
- Tarrant County Bar Appellate Section
- Chair (2011-2012)
- Vice Chair (2010-2011)
- Secretary (2009-2010)
- Planning Committee (2008-present)
- State Bar of Texas Appellate Section
- Website Committee, Co-Chair (2008-present)
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Associate Member (2008-2010)
- The College of the State Bar of Texas (2009-present)
- Junior Achievement of the Chisholm Trail
- The Panther Club (Boys & Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth)
- Vision Fort Worth
- Texas Young Professionals - Fort Worth