Law Office of Steven K. Hayes - Fort Worth, TX

Masterful Civil Appellate Practice and Error Preservation in Fort Worth

Prevailing in complex civil litigation requires strategic foresight extending beyond the trial courtroom. Based at 777 Main Street in Fort Worth, the Law Office of Steven K. Hayes provides elite civil appellate advocacy, error preservation counseling, and extraordinary writ representation throughout Texas. Led by Steven Knowles Hayes, a Harvard Law School graduate with more than four decades of experience, the firm focuses on civil appeals. A former chair of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section, Steven Hayes has received the Chief Justice Jack Pope Professionalism Award and Texas Super Lawyers Top 100 honors, while authoring the Second Court Update. When high-stakes verdicts hang in the balance, clients choose to hire an attorney who commands the respect of appellate courts across Texas.

Strategic Error Preservation at Trial

An appeal is often won or lost before the verdict. Steven Hayes works alongside trial litigators as appellate co-counsel, embedding appellate strategy directly into the trial process. He assists with summary judgment practice, motions in limine, complex evidentiary objections, and jury charges. When unexpected trial rulings threaten case posture and lead trial attorneys need an attorney urgently to draft emergency trial briefs or preserve error, Steven Hayes provides immediate courtroom guidance.

State and Federal Civil Appellate Litigation

The firm handles high-exposure civil appeals before intermediate appellate courts across Texas, the Supreme Court of Texas, and federal circuits. Steven Hayes crafts compelling briefs distilling complex trial records into clear arguments. His practice encompasses business litigation lawyers appeals, contract lawyers disputes, probate lawyers conflicts, and catastrophic personal injury judgments, defending favorable outcomes or reversing erroneous verdicts.

Extraordinary Writs and Mandamus Proceedings

When trial court errors cause immediate and irreparable harm that cannot be cured by ordinary appeal, mandamus relief becomes essential. Steven Hayes has prosecuted and defended numerous petitions for writ of mandamus before appellate courts, successfully correcting discovery abuses, jurisdictional overreach, and venue errors, including precedent-setting enforcement of forum selection clauses in multi-million dollar corporate transactions.

Post-Verdict Motions and Appellate Risk Assessment

Following trial, the firm prepares post-verdict motions, including motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, motions for new trial, remittiturs, and supersedeas bond arrangements. For corporate decision-makers seeking to find a lawyer who offers candid appellate evaluations and objective risk audits, the firm delivers insightful and trusted analysis.

• Over four decades of dedicated civil appellate advocacy across Texas and federal courts
• Proven expertise in error preservation, jury charge preparation, and summary judgment
• Successful prosecution and defense of emergency petitions for writ of mandamus
• Authoritative knowledge of Second Court of Appeals jurisprudence and Texas procedure
• Recognized with the Chief Justice Jack Pope Award and Texas Super Lawyers Top 100

Whether you need seasoned appellate counsel during a trial, representation on an interlocutory appeal, or seek to consult with a lawyer to defend a judgment before the Supreme Court of Texas, the Law Office of Steven K. Hayes delivers the strategic precision and credibility necessary to succeed.