Haynes and Boone, LLP Partner Kent Rutter on May 21 was elected president of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists (TACTAS), an organization of attorneys who have obtained board certification in Civil Appellate Law, Civil Trial Law, or Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Rutter often advises Haynes and Boone’s clients about the chances of reversal in a potential appeal. His analysis draws on his experience in the appellate courts and from co-authoring an award-winning empirical study of the factors that most frequently result in reversal in the Texas appellate courts. (To learn more about the “Reasons for Reversal,” click here.) He is often asked to lecture about evaluating appeals and other areas of appellate practice.
Rutter also is active in the community at large: As a long-time member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater Houston, he has mentored young professionals with an interest in bettering their communities and supported an array of organizations that serve families in need.
With his election, Rutter becomes the first attorney to have led three of the most important organizations for appellate lawyers in Texas. In addition to his role as TACTAS president, he concurrently serves as the elected chair of the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas. Rutter also previously served as chair of the Appellate Practice Section of the Houston Bar Association.
“TACTAS has always been special to me, as its members include many icons of the bench and bar who have been role models throughout my career,” said Rutter, who succeeds Harris County District Judge Sylvia Matthews. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional organization.”
Rutter is an accomplished appellate advocate with more than 20 years of experience. He is recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, in Texas for Litigation - Appellate (2018-2020); selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2012-2019); recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., for Appellate Practice (2019-2020); and named one of the top 100 lawyers in Houston by Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2015).Rutter often advises Haynes and Boone’s clients about the chances of reversal in a potential appeal. His analysis draws on his experience in the appellate courts and from co-authoring an award-winning empirical study of the factors that most frequently result in reversal in the Texas appellate courts. (To learn more about the “Reasons for Reversal,” click here.) He is often asked to lecture about evaluating appeals and other areas of appellate practice.
Rutter also is active in the community at large: As a long-time member of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater Houston, he has mentored young professionals with an interest in bettering their communities and supported an array of organizations that serve families in need.