Mr. Hedges is a partner in the litigation section of Kelly Hart & Hallman's Houston office. He practices commercial litigation. David is a Houston native and graduated from Stanford University in 1965 and The University of Texas School of Law, with honors, in 1970. He served in the United States Army for two years in Germany where he was a tank company commander. David was the Articles Editor of the Texas Law Review. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Homer Thornberry on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
In 1972, David joined Vinson & Elkins in Houston where he became a partner in 1979 and practiced in the litigation section until 2005. In his 33 years at Vinson & Elkins, David practiced in the state and federal courts of Texas and handled cases in Colorado, Oklahoma, Washington D.C. and California. His practice was primarily civil commercial litigation, including antitrust, securities fraud, contract disputes, and officer and director liability. He also conducted internal investigations for companies and defended targets of hostile takeover attempts.
David and his wife, Kay, a Fort Worth native and University of Texas graduate, have two grown children who live in Houston. David enjoys golf, hunting, reading and travel.
Education & Honors
Stanford University, A.B., 1965
The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1970
Articles Editor, Texas Law Review
Order of the Coif
Admission & Affiliations
Texas, 1971
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Significant Matters
Tried arbitration of contract dispute for major pet food company.
Settled complex contract dispute between Houston oil and gas operators.
Member of team that tried contract dispute between United States Government and Houston savings and loan before the Court of Federal Claims in Washington D.C.
Represented outside directors of Houston bank holding company in case growing out of holding company's bankruptcy. The defendants prevailed on motions before trial.
Represented start up industrial valve company in securities fraud case growing out of decline of company's stock price. Case resolved by mediation.
Represented large Houston industrial company in False Claims Act case growing out of Government contract in Saudi Arabia and related qui tam action.
Conducted extensive internal investigation of major Dallas savings and loan that failed and submitted report to FSLIC and new management of thrift.
Represented 15 outside directors of failed Texas bank in a series of civil matters including allegations of breach of contract, securities fraud and negligent mismanagement.
Defended outside directors of failed Oklahoma City bank in a series of lawsuits growing out of the bank failure.
Represented large shareholder of failed toy company in securities fraud action in San Francisco. Case was dismissed on a summary judgment and Ninth Circuit affirmed.
Represented failed start up oil and gas exploration company in federal court in Denver. |