Governor Abbott appoints judges to new Fort Worth business court division

Governor Greg Abbott today announced his appointments to the new Eighth Business Court Division in Fort Worth, which was established last year to provide an efficient mechanism for businesses to resolve complex commercial disputes in Texas. The Governor has appointed Jerry Bullard and Brian Stagner as judges of the Eighth Business Court Division, effective September 1, 2024, with terms set to expire on September 1, 2026. The Eighth Business Court Division includes the counties of Archer, Clay, Cooke, Denton, Eastland, Erath, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Stephens, Tarrant, Wichita, Wise and Young.

Jerry Bullard of Colleyville is a shareholder and attorney with Adams Lynch & Loftin P.C., with over 30 years of experience in state and federal court litigation. He is board certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization; a member of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee; State Bar of Texas and its Appellate Litigation and Legislative/Campaign Law Sections; and a gubernatorial appointee on the Texas Juvenile Justice Board. Additionally he is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association and Chair of its Appellate Section Pro Bono Committee; fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and Tarrant Bar Foundation; volunteer for 6 Stones Mission Network (Night of Hope) and Cross Creek Student Ministry. Bullard received a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Baylor University and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.

Brian Stagner of Fort Worth is counsel and former partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP as well as an adjunct professor at Texas Christian University teaching business law. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas Litigation Section and Appellate Section; fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation; sustaining life fellow at Tarrant County Bar Foundation. Additionally he is a former member of the Texas Association Defense Counsel; former barrister for American Inns Court; former board member for Court Appointed Special Advocates Parker County Lena Pope Home Charity Golf Committee; former volunteer for Habitat Humanity Big Brothers/Big Sisters Texas. Stagner received a Bachelor Business Administration Management from Angelo State University Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School Law.

Last year Governor Abbott signed House Bill 19 into law creating new statewide specialty business trial courts to streamline resolutions business disputes.