Best Lawyers logo
  • Lawyers
  • Methodology
  • NEW! Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In
  • Lawyers
    • Advanced Search
    • COVID-19 Assistance
    • Featured Ones to Watch
    • Lawyer of the Year
    • Highlighted Lawyers
    • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Methodology
    • Overview
    • Ones to Watch
    • Editorial Timelines
    • Practice Areas
    • Publicizing Guidelines
    • FAQ
  • Publications
    • Family Law
    • New York Area
    • Canada
    • South Florida
    • Southern California
    • Northern California
    • Tampa
    • Midwest
  • Legal Insights
    • Featured Articles
    • In the News
    • Advisory Board
    • Meet the Board
    • Press & Events
  • About
    • Global Presence
    • Company History
    • Leadership
  • Ones to Watch
  • Partnerships
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In Log In
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Log In

Lawyer Profile

Image of David L. Sargent

David L. Sargent

Sargent Law, P.C.
  • Recognized Since:
    2012
  • Recognized in:
    Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Law School:
    Texas Tech University
  • Lawyer Page:
    http://sargentlawtx.com/attorn...
  • Website:
    http://www.sargentlawtx.com
  • E-mail:
    david.sargent@sargentlawtx.com
  • Languages:
    English, Spanish
  • Location:
    1717 Main Street, Suite 4750
    Dallas, TX 75201
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

I am a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience. My practice is primarily tort defense in the areas of transportation, premises liability, employer liability, product liability and general liability. I have tried well over 50 jury trials to verdict. Although located in Dallas, I have a state wide practice with numerous lawsuits in adjoining states.

I graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law, Cum Laude, in 1981.  Since then I have been a partner of several Dallas defense firms including Cowles & Thompson for 10 years followed by Hermes Sargent Bates for 15 years.   Since June 2016, I am a partner at Sargent Law located in downtown Dallas, Texas.

At Sargent Law, I carry a mixed case load of transportation, premises, auto, general liability and non-subscriber cases.   I continue to try cases to verdict in the North Texas area.

 

 


Continue Reading
  • Lawyer Bio
  • Client Comments
  • Lawyer Practice Areas
  • Firm Details
  • Case History

Lawyer Bio

I am a trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience. My practice is primarily tort defense in the areas of transportation, premises liability, employer liability, product liability and general liability. I have tried well over 50 jury trials to verdict. Although located in Dallas, I have a state wide practice with numerous lawsuits in adjoining states.

I graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law, Cum Laude, in 1981.  Since then I have been a partner of several Dallas defense firms including Cowles & Thompson for 10 years followed by Hermes Sargent Bates for 15 years.   Since June 2016, I am a partner at Sargent Law located in downtown Dallas, Texas.

At Sargent Law, I carry a mixed case load of transportation, premises, auto, general liability and non-subscriber cases.   I continue to try cases to verdict in the North Texas area.

 

 


Read more on firm website
  • Education
  • Bar Admissions
  • Affiliations
  • Award List
  • Additional Information

Education:

  • Texas Tech University , J.D., graduated 1981

Bar Admissions:

  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • Texas, Dallas Bar Association
  • Texas, Admitted to the Northern, Eastern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas Federal Courts

Affiliations:

  • American Board of Trial Advocates - Member - Advocate
  • Dallas Bar Association - Member
  • International Association of Defense Counsel - Member
  • Litigation Counsel of America - Member
  • State Bar of Texas - Member
  • Texas Association of Defense Counsel - Member
  • Trucking Insurance Defense Association - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

Special Focus:

  • Consumer Finance
  • Premises Liability
 

Additional Information:

Practice Areas

Transportation Law

Premises Liability

General Liability

Employer Liability (Non-Subscriber & Worker Compensation)

 

Lawyer Client Comments

Lawyer Practice Areas

Key: Awarded in Best Lawyers Not Currently Awarded for this Area in Best Lawyers

Firm Details

Image for Sargent Law, P.C. View Firm Profile
Sargent Law, P.C.
http://www.sargentlawtx.com
 
Headquarters
1717 Main Street, Suite 4750
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 749.6000

Lawyer Case History

Mandatory Venue Previsions of the Texas Tort Claims Act

In re Leo Hubbard and Crete Carrier Corp.:

This case arose from a multi-vehicle accident in Denton County involving an employee of Celina Independent School District, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, and Leo Hubbard (employee of Crete Carrier Corp.) and Crete Carrier Corp.  Suit was filed in Dallas County, a county available under the general venue statute.  But, because Celina ISD is a governmental unit under the Texas Tort Claims Act, the mandatory venue provision under the Texas Tort Claims Act was available. 

The mandatory venue provision states that suits brought under the Texas Tort Claims Act shall be brought in the county in which the cause of action or part of the cause of action arises—which, in this case, was Denton County.  Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 101.102(a) (West 2011). 

Although Celina ISD waived its right to assert this mandatory venue provision, Leo Hubbard and Crete Carrier Corporation, two other defendants in the lawsuit, filed a motion to transfer venue based upon this mandatory provision.  The trial court denied the motion to transfer venue. But, the Dallas Court of Appeals granted mandamus relief. 

The Dallas Court of Appeals held that despite the fact that the governmental entity waived its mandatory venue right, neither the Texas Tort Claims Act nor the rules prohibit another defendant from insisting that venue be in the court required by the mandatory venue provision contained in the Texas Tort Claims Act. 

 


Expert testimony necessary to establish the standard of care in transportation cases

FFE Transportation Services, Inc. v. Larry Fulgham and Debra Fulgham

This is case involving a negligence and products liability clam made by an owner/operator against the contracted motor carrier for allegedly failing to provide a safe trailer in which to transport a refrigerated load.  Plaintiff contended the trailer was poorly maintained and had visible rusted bolts on the trailer frame.

At the close of Plaintiff's case in chief, Defendants sought a Motion for Directed Verdict on the basis that Defendant could not be held strictly liable and that Plaintiff had not presented any evidence to support their negligence claim.

After the Dallas Court of Appeals reversed and remanded the Texas Supreme Court held the following:

Defendant did not place the trailer into interstate commerce, but simply made the trailer available to its driver and did not lease or sale the trailer thus no strict liability cause of action existed; and

the proper inspection  and maintenance of a commercial refrigerated trailer involves techniques unfamiliar to the ordinary person and that an expert is necessary to establish the applicable standard of care.

The Texas Supreme Court affirmed the Directed Verdict in Defendant's favor.

 

 
Contact David L. Sargent
If you would like this lawyer to contact you directly in regards to a legal matter, please fill in the relative information below. The lawyer will then be sent your inquiry.
* Denotes Required Fields
Error Sending Message!
Please complete the captcha then submit.
Your message was sent successfully!
 
Legal Disclaimer: Any information sent to Best Lawyers® or referred to a lawyer listed in Best Lawyers® via Internet e-mail or through the Best Lawyers® Web site is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. Communication with Best Lawyers® or an Lawyer listed in Best Lawyers® via Internet e-mail through this site does not constitute or create a lawyer-client relationship. Best Lawyers® does not necessarily endorse, and is not responsible for, any third-party content that may be accessed through this website.
Add Comment
In making your comments, please do not refer to a pending legal matter.
(*) Required Fields
There was an error during saving, please try again.
If you continue to get this message, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com or 803.648.0300 for assistance.
Please complete the captcha then submit.
Your comment was saved successfully!
Thank you for your feedback.
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Legal Insights
  • Contact Us
Lawyers 
  • Advanced Search
  • COVID-19 Assistance
  • Featured Ones to Watch
  • Lawyer of the Year
  • Highlighted Lawyers
  • Nominate a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
Methodology
  • Overview
  • Ones to Watch
  • Editorial Timelines
  • Practice Areas
  • Publicizing Guidelines
  • FAQ
Publications
  • Business Editions
  • Regional Editions
  • Partnerships
  • Become a Contributor
Legal Insights
  • Featured Articles
  • In the News
  • Advisory Board
  • Meet the Board
  • Press & Events
  • Best Law Firms
  • Subscribe
About
  • Global Presence
  • Company History
  • Leadership
  • Founders
  • Press Releases
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
My Account
  • Log In
  • Store
  • Marketing Guidance
Best Lawyers Best Lawyers logo +1-803-648-0300
801 Broad Street, Suite 950 Augusta, GA 30901
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Lawyer Directory
  • Best Law Firms

© 2010-2021 Best Lawyers — All Rights Reserved.

BL Icon

LEGAL INSIGHTS

by Best Lawyers®



Get the latest insights on the news, trends, and people that shape the global legal field with our weekly email digest.

Please enter a valid email address.

You have already subscribed.





PRIVACY POLICY

Thank you for subscribing.