Small by Choice, Flexible by Design

Our attorneys have big law firm experience, but we choose to practice law in a boutique appellate firm because we believe it is the best way to serve our clients. We offer our clients the experience and skill they would expect from a big firm, with the level of personal service and flexibility only found in a boutique.

With over twenty-five years of experience, and Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Kurt has appeared as counsel in hundreds of appeals, including more than 100 cases in the Supreme Court of Texas.

Kurt Kuhn

Founder

Kurt Kuhn is known across Texas as a leading appellate attorney, building a reputation by successfully advocating for his clients in numerous important cases before the Supreme Court of Texas, the Texas courts of appeals, and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. With over twenty-five years of experience, and Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Kurt has appeared as counsel in hundreds of appeals, including more than 100 cases in the Supreme Court of Texas.

In 1999, Kurt was recruited to help establish the Office of the Solicitor General of Texas, a division of the Texas Attorney General’s office responsible for handling those appeals deemed most significant to the interests of Texas. As one of the first assistant solicitor generals brought onboard, Kurt represented the state in civil and criminal appeals in both Texas and federal appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States.

After returning to private practice, Kurt spent ten years at a major Texas law firm where he was a partner and Chair of the Appellate Practice Group. Aside from his pure appellate work, Kurt also assisted trial counsel by drafting and arguing complex motions, presenting legal issues, and preserving error during numerous federal and state trials. During that time, Kurt also served as an adjunct professor of appellate advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law. Around fifteen years ago, Kurt founded an appellate law boutique, dedicated to handling appeals and complex motions across Texas.

Kurt is an elected member of the American Law Institute and a Fellow in the Texas Bar College. He has been ranked by Chambers USA in Appellate Law. He has also repeatedly been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer in Appellate Law, which has named him to its list of the top 50 attorneys in the Central and West Texas Region. Kurt is a repeat winner of the Helen A. Cassidy Award, given by the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas to the highest rated speaker at its annual appellate CLE. And SCOTUSblog, a highly regarded blog focused on the Supreme Court, once named a petition drafted by Kurt as its “Petition of the Day.”

Kurt is a graduate of Yale Law School, where he served as an executive editor of the Yale Law & Policy Review. He is a Master in the Lloyd Lochridge American Inn of Court. Kurt serves as a council member for the Texas State Bar’s Appellate Section. Previously, he served as the Chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Civil Appellate Section.

425 Soledad, Ltd. v. CRVI Riverwalk Hospitality, LLC, 709 S.W.3d 551 (Tex. 2024).  Represented owner of downtown San Antonio office building in property dispute with neighbor over use of attached parking garage.  Won reversal protecting owner’s unrecorded property interest in a parking easement that made spaces available to owner’s tenants and employees.

Taylor Morrison of Tex., Inc. v. Kuhlmeyer, 672 S.W.3d 422 (Tex. 2023) Represented homebuilder and successfully obtain reversal of denial of arbitration by establishing that, under direct benefits estoppel, subsequent homebuyer’s claims fell within the arbitration agreement of the original homeowner’s purchase agreement.

Taylor Morrison of Tex., Inc. v. Skufca, 660 S.W.3d 525 (Tex. 2023) Represented homebuilder and successfully obtain reversal of denial of arbitration by establishing that if any one of the children’s claims is based on the parents’ purchase agreement, then the children must also arbitrate all claims that fall under the scope of the purchase agreement’s arbitration clause.

In re Atlassian US, Inc., No. 23-50364 (5th Cir. 2023)  Represented software company in defending against mandamus action seeking to transfer trademark action to defendant’s home venue.  Succeeding in defending against transfer by demonstrating venue was proper where defendant conducted business and a substantial part of the infringement occurred.

Jim S. Adler, P.C. v. McNeil Consultants, L.L.C., 10 F.4th 422 (5th Cir. 2021)  Represented trademark holder challenging the use of his marks by competitor as search engine keywords for online advertising.  In a matter of first impression, succeeded in establishing that trademark holder had stated a cause of action for infringement.

Quadvest v. San Jacinto River Auth.,  7 F.4th 337 (5th 2021)  Represented investor-owned water utility against water authority.  Succeeded in establishing that water authority was not entitled to state-action immunity to utilities’ antitrust claims under the Sherman Act.

Catholic Diocese of Ele Paso v. Porter, 622 S.W.3d 824 (Tex. 2021)  Represented Diocese in claim brought by family members when church festival volunteers were injured after third-parties vendor’s booth caught fire.  Won reversal for Diocese be establishing that volunteers were licensees and that Diocese did not violate any duty to volunteers.

Pressley v. Casar, 567 S.W.3d 327 (Tex. 2019).  Represented winner of city council election, and succeeded in obtaining dismissal of election contest as moot.

Godecke v. Kinetic Concepts, Inc., 973 F.3d 1201 (9th Cir. 2019).  Represented former employee of manufacturer of a durable medical equipment in an appeal of a dismissal of a False Claims Act suit involving allegations that manufacturer submitted false reimbursement claims to Medicare.  Won reversal by establishing that employee plausibly alleged manufacturer submitted material false claims.

United States ex rel. Vaughn v. United Biologics, L.L.C., 907 F.3d 187 (5th Cir. 2018).  Represented board-certified allergists in False Claims Act suit involving allegations that allergy center improperly billed government healthcare providers.  Won ruling on appeal that it was not appropriate to dismiss non-intervening government with or without prejudice.

Chacon v. Copeland, No. 13-50521 (5th Cir. 2014).  Represented arrestee who brought excessive force claim against police officers who allegedly violated his Fourth Amendment Rights.  Won affirmance of denial of Officers’ qualified immunity claim by showing there was genuine material questions as to whether officers used excessive force.

Burchfield v. Prosperity Bank, 408 S.W.3d 542 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 9, 2013, no pet.). Won affirmance of summary judgment in favor of lender against co-guarantor by establishing that prior settlement and default judgment involving other co-guarantors did not establish res judicata or violate the “one satisfaction” rule.

In re General Electric, 271 S.W.3d 681 (Tex. 2008). Won grant of writ of mandamus in toxic tort case when district court failed to dismiss on forum non conveniens grounds by demonstrating that all statutory factors weighed against the case being pursued in Texas.

Goetz v. Synthesys Techs., Inc., 415 F.3d 481 (5th Cir. 2005). Appealed denial of Rule 60(b)(4) motion to set aside default judgment as void. In a question for first impression for the Fifth Circuit, won reversal based on argument that plaintiff had failed to properly effect service under New York’s “nail and mail” provision.

Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598 (Tex. 2004). Appealed reversal of summary judgment in products liability lawsuit arising out of vehicle fire. Won reversal by establishing that there was no evidence to support any finding of a manufacturing defect under Texas law.

Neill v. Ford Motor Co., No. 00-41264 (5th Cir. Nov. 13, 2001). Defended manufacturer in appeal of order transferring or dismissing claims by former products-liability plaintiffs who alleged fraud in the inducement of prior settlement agreements. Won dismissal of appeal of transfer based on lack of appellate jurisdiction, and won affirmance of dismissal based on considerations of comity and the Anti-Injunction Act.

Texas Dep’t of Criminal Justice v. Miller, 51 S.W.3d 583 (Tex. 2001). Appealed denial of plea to the jurisdiction in wrongful death (medical malpractice) case. Won reversal by establishing that administering pain medication was not a “use of property” that waived governmental immunity under the Tort Claims Act when medication was not the cause of the patient’s death.

Brown v. Tull, No. 99-50442 (5th Cir. May 30, 2000). Appealed denial of motion to dismiss in suit against numerous government and private defendants alleging constitutional and state law claims arising from seizure of animals from alleged “puppy mill.” Won reversal and dismissal for government client by establishing that client’s actions were objectively reasonable under Texas law and entitled to qualified and official immunity.

Texas Dep’t of Transp. v. Jones, 8 S.W.3d 636 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam). In property damage case, appealed denial of jurisdictional plea based on procedural question regarding the nature of governmental immunity. Won reversal by establishing that, under Texas law, a governmental entity may raise immunity from suit in a jurisdictional plea.

Texas Dep’t of Transp. v. Barrier, 40 S.W.3d 153 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, no pet.). Appealed class certification of residential property owners who claimed unspecified property damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars for flooding of their homes associated with alleged negligent construction of a highway. Won reversal by establishing that the trial court abused its discretion in certifying the class because the predominance test was not satisfied and there was no threat of inconsistent adjudications.

Books and Articles

10 William V. Dorsaneo III, E. Lee Parsley, Julie Caruthers Parsley & Kurt Kuhn, Internal Procedures of Supreme Court, Texas Litigation Guide §152.09 (2012)

How to Write Like an Appellate Lawyer, 102 The Advocate, Texas State Bar Litigation Section Report 30 (Spring 2023)

Challenging Experts in Texas State Courts, 72 The Advocate, Texas State Bar Litigation Section Report 38 (Fall 2015)

David Bissinger and Kurt Kuhn, Commentary: Jury Charge – An Essential Tool Throughout Litigation, Texas Lawyer, July 25, 2011

Judicial Remedies and the Constitutional Balancing Act, 32 The Advocate, Texas State Bar Litigation Section Report 55 (Fall 2005)

Unsupported experts beware: Coastal Transport allows parties to bring an initial challenge to unsupported expert opinions after trial, 29 The Advocate, Texas State Bar Litigation Section Report 75 (Winter 2004)

CLE Speeches and Articles

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 35th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2025)

Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas State Bar Litigation Section, 41st Annual Litigation Update Institute (Jan. 2024)

Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas State Bar, Advanced Civil Trial Course (July 2024)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 34th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2024)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 33th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2023)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 32th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2022)

Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas State Bar, 36th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2022)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 31th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2021)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 30th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2020)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 29th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2019)

The Evidence has Closed, Now What?: Motions for Directed Verdict, Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, 15th Annual Ultimate Trial Notebook Seminar (November 2019)

Understanding Evidence Appeals, 33rd Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2019)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 29th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2019)

Texas Supreme Court’s Top Cases for Litigators, Austin Bar Association Civil Litigation Section (February 2019) 

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 28th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2018)

Proving and Defending Attorneys’ Fees, State Bar of Texas, 10th Annual Course on Damages in Civil Litigation (February 2018)

The First 30 Years of the Appellate Section and Its Impact on Appellate Practice, Moderator, Texas State Bar, 30th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2017)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 26th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2016)

Error Preservation: Principles and Pitfalls, Austin Civil Litigation Section, 11th Annual Ultimate Trial Notebook (November 2015)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 39th Annual Page Keeton Civil Litigation Conference, (October 2015)

Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas State Bar, 29th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2015)

The Impact of Amicus Briefs, University of Texas School of Law, 25th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2015)

Hot Topics at the Supreme Court, Texas State Bar, 27th Annual Advanced Administrative Law Course (June 2015)

How to Use (and Love) the Law Nerd, University of Texas School of Law, 38th Annual Page Keeton Civil Litigation Conference (October 2014)

End Game: How to Win at the Supreme Court of Texas, Texas State Bar, 2014 Annual Meeting (June 2014)

7 Habits of Highly Effective Respondents in the Texas Supreme Court, Texas State Bar, 27th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2013)

Different Views on Waiver: How the Texas Supreme Court and Courts of Appeals Discuss Waiver, University of Texas School of Law, 23rd Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2012)

Understanding the 2011 Term of the Texas Supreme Court, Texas State Bar, 25th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2011)

Texas Supreme Court Update, University of Texas School of Law, 20th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2010)

Texas Supreme Court Justice Panel, Moderator, Texas State Bar, 23rd Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2009)

Judges and Lawyers Behaving Nicely: Working Together, University of Texas School of Law, 19th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2009)

Factual and Legal Sufficiency of the Evidence, Texas State Bar, 22nd Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course Boot Camp (September 2008)

“Mandamus” Is Not a Four-Letter Word, University of Texas School of Law, 18th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (May 2008)

An Evening with the Texas Supreme Court, Moderator, State Bar of Texas and Austin Bar Association (March 2008)

Voting Patterns on the Texas Supreme Court, State Bar of Texas, 21st Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (September 2007)

Preserving the Balance: An Attorney’s Ethical Duty to Defend the Courts, University of Texas School of Law, 17th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (May 2007)

Texas Supreme Court Justices Panel, Moderator, State Bar of Texas, 20th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (Sept. 2006)

What Issues are Important to the Jurisprudence of the State?, University of Texas School of Law, 16th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (June 2006)

Why They Grant: A Study of Motions for Rehearing in the Texas Supreme Court, State Bar of Texas, 19th Annual Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (Sept. 2005)

An Overview of Summary Judgment Practice in Texas State Court, Texas State Bar Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course Boot Camp (Sept. 2004)

Recent Developments in Sovereign Immunity, State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Trial Course (Summer – Fall 2004)

An Overview of Challenging Experts in Federal Court, Brown McCarroll CLE (2001)

Oral Argument:  The Fun Part, Texas Attorney General’s Appellate Advocacy Seminar (2000)

American Law Institute, Elected Member (2008 – present)

Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (2003-present)

Top 50 Central/West Texas Super Lawyers (2014)

Top 50 Central/West Texas Super Lawyers (2013)

Texas Super Lawyers: Civil Appellate Law (2010 – present)

Texas Super Lawyers: Rising Star in Civil Appellate Law (2006 – 2010)

Texas Bar Foundation Life Fellow

Austin Bar Foundation Fellow

Petition of the Day, SCOTUSblog (April 24, 2014)

Appellate Lawyer of the Week, Texas Lawyer (Sept. 10, 2018)

Appellate Lawyer of the Week, Texas Lawyer (June 20, 2011)

Travis County Democratic Party, Freedom to Marry Champion (2015)

Helen A. Cassidy Award, State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section (2009)

Helen A. Cassidy Award, State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section (2006)

College of the State Bar of Texas (2005 – present)

West Austin Youth Association, Golden Whistle Award (2008)

Court Date of Admission
United States Supreme Court June 1, 2004
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals May 18, 1999
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals May 8, 2018
Western District of Texas August 10, 2000
Eastern District of Texas June 22, 2000
Southern District of Texas December 1, 1998
Northern District of Texas April 15, 1998
Supreme Court of Texas November 7, 1997

American Law Institute, Elected Member (2008 – present)

Texas State Bar

Appellate Section

  • Chair, Planning Committee for 30th Anniversary of Section (2016 – 2017)
  • Co-Chair, CLE Committee (2007 – 2010)
  • Co-Chair, Membership Administration (2006 – 2007)

Litigation Section

Austin Bar Association

Civil Appellate Section

  • Immediate Past-Chair (2009 – 2010)
  • Chair (2008 – 2009)
  • Chair-Elect (2007 – 2008)
  • Secretary-Treasurer (2006 – 2007)
  • Council Member (2002 – 2003)

Civil Litigation Section

The Lloyd Lochridge American Inn of Court

  • Master (2019 – present)
  • Barrister (2009 – 2012)

The Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court

  • Master (2012 – 2019)
  • Barrister (2006 – 2012)
  • Associate (2005 – 2006)

Texas Association of Defense Counsel

  • District #10 Director (2007 – 2008)
  • Director at Large (2009 – 2011)

Texas Supreme Court Historical Society (2006 – present)

Northwest Little League

  • Board of Directors (2014 – 2015)
  • Baseball Coach (2011 – 2015)
  • Assistant Coach 9-10 All-Stars, Texas Dist. 11 Champions (2013)
  • Softball Coach (2012)

American Red Cross of Central Texas

  • Board of Directors (2006 – 2010)
  • Chair, Governance Committee (2008 – 2010)
  • Co-Chair, Financial Development Committee (2007– 2008)

Northwest Austin Youth Basketball Association

  • Youth Basketball Coach (2011 – 2014)

West Austin Youth Association

  • Youth Soccer Coach (2008)

I9 Sports

  • Youth Flag Football Coach (2012 – 2015)