David E. Keltner
Recognized since 2008
Fort Worth, Texas
Appellate Practice
Arbitration
Bet-the-Company Litigation
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 300 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 2024, 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 seventeen years, ranking No. 1 in 2009-2011 and 2021-2023. In addition, he was named Best Lawyers® Appellate Lawyer of the Year for Dallas/Fort Worth in 2016 and 2018.
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.
- E-mail: david.keltner@kellyhart.com
- Direct Phone Number: 817-878-3560
- Lawyer Page: https://www.kellyhart.com/attorney/David-Keltner
- 201 Main Street, Suite 2500
Fort Worth, TX 76102
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., graduated 1975
- Texas, 1975
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers - Fellow
- American Bar Foundation - Sustaining Life Fellow
- American Inns of Court—Eldon Mahon Inn - Master
- Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification
- Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization Certification
- Fellows of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society - Founding Fellow
- SMU Dedman School of Law - Executive Board
- State Bar of Texas - Board of Directors
- Tarrant County Bar Association - Member
- Texas Bar Foundation - Sustaining Life Fellow
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
53 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
28 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
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- Arbitration, Dallas/Fort Worth (2020)
- Appellate Practice, Dallas/Fort Worth (2018)
- Appellate Practice, Dallas/Fort Worth (2016)
- Appellate Practice, Dallas (2011)
- Appellate Practice
- Arbitration
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Debtors' Rights
- Federal
- Supreme Court
- Texas Supreme Court
American Inns of Court James E. Coleman Jr. Award Recipient for Professionalism in the Fifth Circuit, 2023
Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2006-2025
- Appellate Practice
- Arbitration
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
Chambers USA: Texas,
- Litigation: Appellate, 2005-2024
- Star Individual, 2021-2024
- Band 1, 2005-2024
Top 10 Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2023
- Ranked No. 1, 2009-2011, 2021-2023
- Ranked No. 1, 2009-2011, 2021-2023
- The 400 Most Influential People, Fort Worth, Inc. magazine, 2018-2024
Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2024
Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-2024
Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2006-2023
Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017-2024
- Appellate
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Best Lawyers®, Arbitration Lawyer of the Year, Dallas/Fort Worth,2020
- Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award, Texas Center for Legal Ethics, 2018
- Best Lawyers®, Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year, Dallas/Fort Worth, 2016, 2018
- Tarrant County Bar Association's Blackstone Award, 2018
- Helen A. Cassidy Award for highest rated CLE presentation at the State Bar of Texas 20th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course, 2007, 2015
- Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer of Texas (Inaugural Recipient), Texas Bar Foundation, 2012
- Best Lawyers®, Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year, Dallas, 2011
- Jim D. Bowmer Professionalism Award, College of the State Bar of Texas, 2007
- Dan Rugely Price Memorial Award (Excellence in Legal Writing), Texas Bar Foundation, 2002
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