Practice Expertise
- Appellate
Areas of Practice
- Appellate
Profile
Kent Rutter is an accomplished appellate advocate with more than 20 years of experience. He serves as the elected chair of the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, an organization of more than 2,000 attorneys that promotes the role of appellate lawyers in Texas, enhances their skills, and improves appellate practice in Texas. As a civil appellate specialist who is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Kent additionally serves as an officer of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (TACTAS), an organization of board-certified attorneys. Kent is a former chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the Houston Bar Association and was the course director of the 2014 Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course presented by the State Bar of Texas. He was recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, in Texas for Litigation: Appellate, 2018-2019. Kent was selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2012-2018; recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., for Appellate Practice, 2019; and was recognized in 2015 as one of the top 100 lawyers in Houston by Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters.
Kent often advises Haynes and Boone's clients regarding the chances of reversal in a potential appeal. His analysis draws on his experience in the appellate courts and from co-authoring an award-winning empirical study of the factors that most frequently result in reversal in the Texas appellate courts. Kent is often asked to lecture on the topic of evaluating appeals, as well as other areas of appellate practice, and has given presentations to hundreds of trial lawyers, appellate lawyers, and in-house counsel.
Kent is also active in the community at large. As a long-time member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater Houston, Kent has mentored young professionals with an interest in bettering their communities and supported a wide array of organizations that serve families in need.
Kent often advises Haynes and Boone's clients regarding the chances of reversal in a potential appeal. His analysis draws on his experience in the appellate courts and from co-authoring an award-winning empirical study of the factors that most frequently result in reversal in the Texas appellate courts. Kent is often asked to lecture on the topic of evaluating appeals, as well as other areas of appellate practice, and has given presentations to hundreds of trial lawyers, appellate lawyers, and in-house counsel.
Kent is also active in the community at large. As a long-time member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater Houston, Kent has mentored young professionals with an interest in bettering their communities and supported a wide array of organizations that serve families in need.
Bar Admissions
Texas
Education
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1996, cum laude; Contributing Editor, University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform
B.A., Duke University, 1993
Areas of Practice
- Appellate
Professional Career
Significant Accomplishments
Mr. Rutter has been invited to give presentations on evaluating appeals to hundreds of trial lawyers, appellate lawyers, and in-house counsel in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin:
In September 2011, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course in Austin.
In June 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke to the Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
In July 2012, Mr. Rutter and Judge David Evans spoke to the Business Litigation Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association.
In July, August, and October 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Course in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.
In August 2012, Mr. Rutter and Scott Weiss spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced In-House Counsel Course in Dallas.
In August 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the Annual Harris County Civil Judges' CLE in Houston.
In September 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the Texas Judicial Education Conference in Houston.
In October 2012, Mr. Rutter and Justice Tracy Christopher spoke to the Appellate Practice Section of the Houston Bar Association.
Most recently, he has achieved success on behalf of appellate clients in the following areas:
Oil and Gas: Won reversals of adverse trial court judgments in cases involving disputed provisions of joint operating agreements, including a provision creating a preferential right to purchase oil and gas leasehold interests and an exculpatory provision that shielded an operator from liability. Transportation: On behalf of a railroad, prevailed in Federal Employers Liability Act appeals, including one brought by approximately 300 claimants, and an appeal concerning indemnity obligations under a trackage rights agreement. Expert witness challenges: Obtained favorable results in appeals involving challenges to expert testimony on a range of medical and scientific issues. Property rights: Won reversals of adverse trial court judgments in appeals involving eminent domain issues and utility reimbursement rights.
Mr. Rutter has been invited to give presentations on evaluating appeals to hundreds of trial lawyers, appellate lawyers, and in-house counsel in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin:
In September 2011, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course in Austin.
In June 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke to the Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
In July 2012, Mr. Rutter and Judge David Evans spoke to the Business Litigation Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association.
In July, August, and October 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Course in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston.
In August 2012, Mr. Rutter and Scott Weiss spoke at the State Bar of Texas Advanced In-House Counsel Course in Dallas.
In August 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the Annual Harris County Civil Judges' CLE in Houston.
In September 2012, Mr. Rutter and Lynne Liberato spoke at the Texas Judicial Education Conference in Houston.
In October 2012, Mr. Rutter and Justice Tracy Christopher spoke to the Appellate Practice Section of the Houston Bar Association.
Most recently, he has achieved success on behalf of appellate clients in the following areas:
Oil and Gas: Won reversals of adverse trial court judgments in cases involving disputed provisions of joint operating agreements, including a provision creating a preferential right to purchase oil and gas leasehold interests and an exculpatory provision that shielded an operator from liability. Transportation: On behalf of a railroad, prevailed in Federal Employers Liability Act appeals, including one brought by approximately 300 claimants, and an appeal concerning indemnity obligations under a trackage rights agreement. Expert witness challenges: Obtained favorable results in appeals involving challenges to expert testimony on a range of medical and scientific issues. Property rights: Won reversals of adverse trial court judgments in appeals involving eminent domain issues and utility reimbursement rights.
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