Walt Taylor was raised in Austin and Plainview, Texas and has practiced law throughout Texas since 1989. Walt initially gained experience defending doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals accused of malpractice, but he soon found greater purpose obtaining recovery for individuals or groups who suffered harm at the hands of large corporations and government agencies, including hospitals and other healthcare providers. These corporations, agencies, and healthcare providers have either intentionally violated the law, or they have failed to adopt and monitor effective safeguards to prevent unlawful or dangerous conduct by their managers or employees, healthcare providers, truckers or other drivers who violate the rules of the road.
While many of the violations Walt pursues are in the workplace, he also seeks justice in other cases where a jury’s verdict compensating severe injuries will render our community safer.
Walt’s decades of experience extend to both trial and appellate work in Texas state and federal courts. He has a longstanding reputation of fearlessly seeking justice with integrity, and he enjoys an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell, which recognizes not only his knowledge, superior skills and experience, but also his very high ethical standards.
Walt also helps improve our community through giving and service at his church in North Richland Hills, Texas, and other organizations in his local community.
His vocational calling is making our community safer by holding accountable those who violate our employment laws, as well as workplace, healthcare, and other important safety rules. Enforcing these laws, so critical to our democracy, makes our community safer by exposing and righting the wrong publicly, making whole those harmed, and serving as a warning not only to the culprits in that case but for other future potential wrongdoers as well.
EDUCATION
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Texas School of Law, 1989
- Order of Barristers
- Phi Delta Phi
- Student Team Member, University of Texas School of Law, Texas Young Lawyers Association, National Mock Trial Team (1989 National Semi-Finalists, Regional Champions and Regional Best Advocate)
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Plan II Honors Program, 1986
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
CURRENT:
- Board Certified: Labor and Employment Law and Civil Appellate Law
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA)
- Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association (TCTLA)
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (DTLA)
- Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association (CATLA)
- Tarrant County Bar Association (TCBA)
- Dallas Bar Association (DBA)
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA) – Former Board Member
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA-DFW Chapter)
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation (since 1998)
- State Bar of Texas
- Faculty: Keenan Trial Institute
PREVIOUS:
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Austin Young Lawyers Association (Immediate Past President, 1997-98; President, 1996-97; Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, 1995-96; President-Elect, 1995-96; Secretary, 1994-95; 1993-94; Board of Directors, 1992-93)
- Austin Bar Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association (Member, Ethics & Sanctions Committee)
- Tarrant County Probate Bar Association (TCPBA)
- National Academy for the Recordings Arts and Sciences (NARAS)
- Country Music Association (CMA)
COURT ADMISSIONS
- Admitted to the State Bar of Texas since 1989 and authorized to practice in all Texas trial and appellate courts, including Texas Supreme Court
- Admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas
- Admitted to practice before United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit since 1991
- Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court
CERTIFICATION & RECOGNITION
- Board Certified: Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Labor & Employment Law
- Board Certified: Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Civil Appellate Law
- Faculty: Keenan Trial Institute
