Alongside a good trial lawyer…

… is Durham, Pittard & Spalding, LLP. A critical perspective that often evades a litigator’s analysis is that of the judge. In trying cases, it is important to not only focus on the jury, but also the trial judge and the appellate judges who are often asked to review the trial.

Kirk Pittard and Leighton Durham formed the firm in 2004 to help trial attorneys maintain this perspective. Thad Spalding joined the Dallas office in 2013, Justin Kaufman joined the firm in 2019 and manages the Santa Fe, New Mexico office, and in 2023, Lara Hollingsworth joined our team and leads our Houston office. Together, we have assembled a team of appellate attorneys that, for almost two decades, has successfully delivered trial and appellate support to trial lawyers in just about every type of civil case—including a case involving a stolen dinosaur—in Texas and around the nation.

Unmatched appellate experience

DP&S has represented clients in a diverse range of appeals before every intermediate appellate court in Texas and New Mexico, the Texas Supreme Court, New Mexico Supreme Court, federal circuit courts nationwide, and the United States Supreme Court.

DP&S is involved at every stage of litigation, helping prepare the original petition before the lawsuit is even filed, preparing and responding to key dispositive and evidentiary motions after the case is filed, and crucial pretrial motions. DP&S also frequently attends trial to help with jury selection, trial briefing, and the jury charge, laying the groundwork for successful post-verdict motion practice and appeal.

Our attorneys are frequently honored by prestigious local, regional, and national publications like The Best Lawyers in America, Thompson Reuters “Super Lawyers,” and Lawdragon.