Rebecca Bell is a Partner and represents companies and individuals in high-exposure and high-profile disputes in federal and state courts all over Texas. In recent years, Ms. Bell has been appellate and trial litigation counsel for clients in a broad range of catastrophic tort cases involving trucking, construction, insurance bad faith, deceptive trade practices, and premises liability matters. She also litigates complex professional responsibility actions, and is further retained as coordinated counsel for national clients, appearing in multiple states to protect the corporate interests of such clients in catastrophic litigation. Ms. Bell's talent in both complex trial and appellate matters makes her a valuable resource to the firm and her clients.

Ms. Bell operates in both leading and supporting roles in the firm - she dedicates herself to both an understanding and application of the law from discovery through mediation, trial, and future appeal. Her experience provides a foundation for handling the exigent circumstances that often accompany high exposure cases, resulting in Ms. Bell being called to assist in complex pre-trial matters, summary dispositions, mandamus petitions, and trial support throughout the firm in addition to handling her own extensive docket. Despite her demanding schedule, Ms. Bell finds time to contribute to the education and advocacy of students through her work with local high school mock trial teams and Southern Methodist University law students.

Practice Areas:
Appellate
Civil Trial Law
Personal Injury/Catastrophic Liability
Professional Responsibility
Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith

Recent Representative Trials:
Murphree v. Betty Monroe, Site Concrete, Austin Bridge & Road, Decatur, Wise County, Texas. Defense verdict on behalf of client, Austin Bridge & Road in a case involving a collision between two vehicles in a road construction zone, which resulted in significant injuries. Judgment awarded against co-defendants in excess of $23 million dollars.

Butler v. Chad Rehrig, Ben. E. Keith Co. Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Defense verdict on fatality case arising from an auto-pedestrian accident in Denton, Texas.

Nichols, et al. v. Young Contractors, et al., Franklin, Robertson County, Texas. Defense verdict on quadruple fatality case allegedly arising due to negligent truck routing with respect to the Highway Widening Project.

McBride v. Aggregate Haulers, Juan Torres, et al., Decatur, Wise County, Texas. Defense verdict on behalf of client, Dowdy Ferry Sand and Gravel in a case involving a collision between three rock haulers which resulted in one death and significant injuries to two other drivers. Judgment awarded against co-defendants in excess of $6 million dollars. Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment regarding "Statutory Employee" issue upheld on appeal. Defense verdict on behalf of Dowdy Ferry on remaining issues. See Omega Contr., Inc. v. Torres, 191 S.W.3d 828, 2006 Tex. App. LEXIS 2781 (Tex. App.-- Fort Worth 2006, no pet.).

Rios v. Akins and QCD of America, Austin, Travis County, Texas. Obtained complete defense verdict in a multi-Plaintiff wrongful death/catastrophic injury case arising out of a major transportation accident on IH35.

Representative Appeals:
Baskin Family Camps, Inc. v. Steeg, 2005 Tex. LEXIS 54 (Tex. 2004, pet. granted): court requested briefing on the merits and heard oral argument on the scope and application of the Texas Equine Activity Act.

Omega Contr., Inc. v. Torres, 191 S.W.3d 828 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 2005, pet. denied): court upheld summary judgment in favor of motor carrier and clarified Texas jurisprudence on "logo liability" for motor carriers.

Sears v. Abell, 157 S.W.3d 886 (Tex.App.-El Paso 2005, pet. denied): multi-party complex appeal of appellate issues on submitted jury charge, evidentiary rulings, and jury verdict.

Howell v. T S Communs., Inc., 130 S.W.3d 515 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2004, no pet.): court reversed summary judgment giving the plaintiff third party beneficiary status as to a general contractor's insurance policy in light of independent contractor defense.

Philadelphia Am. Life Ins. v. Turner, 131 S.W.3d 576 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2004, no pet.): appeal of class action certification.

Armendariz v. Barragan, 143 S.W.3d 853 (Tex.App.-El Paso 2004, no pet.): restricted appeal in which the court reversed default judgment.

Hyerstay v. Pace's Point Apts., 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 2942 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 2003): court affirmed summary judgment in favor of apartment complex on a premises liability claim.

Professional Affiliations and Honors:
Named as one of the Top Young Lawyers in Texas - "Rising Star" in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines (2008, 2009, 2010)

State Bar of Texas
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Dallas Bar Association
Dallas Women's Association
Federal Bar Association


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