Anthony R. LaScalea

About Anthony

EXPERIENCE

Anthony R. LaScalea is a partner at Fee Smith & Sharp. Since joining FSS in 2018, Mr. LaScalea has represented companies and individuals in complex litigation in state and federal courts across Texas. His practice includes product liability claims, employment contract disputes, commercial and transportation matters, and premises liability cases. He has tried cases for both plaintiffs and defendants before juries in County Court, District Court, and the United States District Court, achieving favorable verdicts at each level.

On the plaintiff side, Mr. LaScalea has recovered more than eight figures in settlements and verdicts for his clients. He has both defended and prosecuted cases under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act through verdict and final judgment.

Mr. LaScalea has conducted and defended over 250 depositions and participated in more than 100 mediations, and has secured favorable settlements following extensive litigation. He has obtained summary judgments in multiple counties across Texas and has litigated cases in all four federal districts in Texas. Beyond his litigation practice, he is frequently retained to advise on non-union talent contracts, employment agreements, and contracts involving major and minor league sports franchises and arena owners.

While in law school, Mr. LaScalea was one of only two students selected to serve on the Office of Professional and Career Development Advisory Board. He clerked in the University of Oklahoma Office of the General Counsel and worked as a research assistant for the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He also gained experience as a summer litigation associate at the City of Atlanta Department of Law in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. LaScalea graduated with University Honors from Auburn University, where he finished in the top 15% of his class. At Auburn, he was elected to the Harbert College of Business Executive Society and served as a manager for the Auburn University baseball team.

A first-generation college graduate and advocate for education, Mr. LaScalea serves on numerous boards and has volunteered in schools in Tijuana, San Diego, Chicago, New York City, and Boston. He remains active with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas and is a graduate of the Collin County Leadership and Prosecutor Academy. He also previously served as a staff assistant in the United States House of Representatives.

TRIAL VICTORIES

• Presented opening and closing arguments in a personal injury case during a 4-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Plaintiff alleged gross negligence in hiring and retaining a company driver. Defense conceded negligence, acknowledging the driver caused the accident. Plaintiff requested over $3 million in compensatory damages and $24 million in punitive damages. The jury awarded just $3,700 for past pain and mental anguish and $45,000 for future damages, for a total award of $48,700.
• Second-Chaired four-day automotive accident in the United States Eastern District of Texas. At close of trial, the Plaintiff asked the jury for nearly $3 MM for past and future damages. After nearly ninety minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a defense verdict finding Plaintiff 51% negligent and, therefore, not entitled to a monetary award for damages.
• First-Chaired three-day automotive accident case in the 23rd Judicial District Court of Brazoria County, Texas. Lead counsel for Plaintiff/Third-Party Defendant. Obtained a jury verdict in favor of client awarding his client more than 70% of alleged damages.
• Second-Chaired four-day automotive accident in the 96th Judicial District of Tarrant County. Jury awarded Plaintiff a verdict with the Fort Worth Court of Appeals reversed and rendered a Take Nothing Judgment in favor of client.
• Obtained a summary judgment in the 134th Judicial District Court of Dallas County in a hotly contested case as to liability. After hearing the evidence from both sides, including testimony from four depositions, the Court dismissed the case in its entirety.
• Obtained summary judgment in the 394th Judicial District Court of Brewster County on behalf of a resort, arguing that Plaintiff’s lawsuit was barred by a release and by the Texas Equine Act. Plaintiff appealed to the Texas Court of Appeals, Eighth District (El Paso), which the COA affirmed, granting summary judgment in its entirety and awarding Plaintiff zero damages.
• Obtained a Summary Judgment in a high-stakes commercial vehicle accident in Bowie County, Texas during pre-trial arguments. The Plaintiffs, seeking over $1 million in damages, claimed negligence in hiring, training, retention, supervision, and maintenance. After 22 months of discovery, depositions, and expert testimony, the Court found that Plaintiffs evidence was insufficient to survive Summary Judgment, dismissing the case in its entirety, prior to jury selection. Prior to pre-trial arguments, Plaintiffs made a $2 million settlement demand, which was rejected by Defendants.
• Obtained a summary judgment in the 59th Judicial District Court of Grayson County, dismissing the case in its entirety.
• First-Chaired automobile accident case in Harris County. Obtained a jury verdict finding the opposing party more than 51% negligent.