Donald E. Godwin is considered one of the most respected and tenacious trial lawyers in Texas. For over 40 years Don has tried significant jury cases in courts throughout Texas and across the United States. He has the ability to translate complex matters of law and fact into easily understandable language for courts and juries. Don's practice covers a broad range of areas with an emphasis on complex litigation, including oil and gas, environmental, fiduciary duties, will contests, major family law disputes and business torts. Notably, he has acted as Lead Trial Lawyer for Halliburton in the Firm's successful defense of the company in all civil litigation and investigations concerning BP's Macondo well blowout (Deepwater Horizon) in the Gulf of Mexico.
Don was the lead counsel for Halliburton in its asbestos and silica litigation. He negotiated the global settlement of Halliburton's approximately 382,000 asbestos claims throughout the United States that took him approximately one year to accomplish. In addition to being recognized as a leading trial lawyer in the United States, Don has also earned the reputation among corporate executives, their legal departments, and other highly visible individuals as a master negotiator where the risks are substantial and the future and successes of such clients are on the line.
Don is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He received a J.D. from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in 1973, an M.S. in Accounting from Memphis State University in 1970 and a B.S. from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington in 1969.
What legal services does this lawyer offer?
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Litigation - Environmental
Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Awards
Named a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2020
Ranked among the Best Law Firms by US News in Commercial
Litigation and Product Liability Defense
10-time selection Best Lawyers, recognized in the area of Commercial Litigation 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Recognized in Commercial Litigation by Chambers USA Guide, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2015-2019
Selected among the "50 Lions of the Texas Bar" by Texas Lawbook, 2015
10-time selection to Thomson Reuters' "Top 100 Lawyers in Texas" as published in Texas Monthly & Super Lawyers magazines (2003-2006, 2012, 2014-2018)
12-time selection as one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas" by D Magazine, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Designated as one of the Top Five DFW Defenders, Dallas Business Journal, 2006, 2010
18-time selection to Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters 2003-2020
5-time selection to "Who's Who in Energy" in Dallas, Houston and Pittsburgh by the American City Business Journals, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
16-time selection to Thomson Reuters' "Top 100 Lawyers in Dallas/Fort Worth" as published in Texas Monthly & Super Lawyers magazines (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Selected to Texas Super Lawyers Advisory Board, 2010-2012
Selected in the Dallas Business Journal's list of the Top 10 Litigators/Trial Lawyers in the D/FW Metroplex, 2003
Received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Private Practice from SMU Dedman School of Law for 2003