
Rusty Hardin & Associates
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[email protected]Contact number
+1 713 652 9000Share profile
About
5 Houston Center, 1401 McKinney
Suite 2250
Houston
Texas
USA
TX 77010
+1 713 652 9000
Managing Partner: Rusty Hardin
Number of partners: 8
Number of lawyers: 15
Firm Overview:
The attorneys of Rusty Hardin & Associates are highly experienced lawyers recognized for their diligence in preparing for trial, establishing rapport with juries, and obtaining favorable results for plaintiffs and defendants in courtrooms across the nation. While the practice is devoted primarily to civil litigation, the firm continues to represent high-profile individuals in criminal cases, believing that this diversity makes each lawyer better and reinforces a collective ability to help a broad cross-section of clients. This approach is grounded in a belief and trust in jurors and in the skills to effectively communicate all the relevant facts and evidence of a complex case or concept while retaining the panel’s interest and attention. The firm’s record of success enhances the settlement potential of a case, frequently making a trial unnecessary and creating a more satisfying solution for the firm’s clients.
Main Areas of Practice:
Commercial Litigation:
While the firm is perhaps best known for its history of defending clients in several high-profile criminal matters, commercial litigation remains the focus of the practice. This experience covers a range of industries and professional services, such as real estate, energy, health care, manufacturing, accounting, and financial services. In preparing and trying these cases, the firm establishes and confirms the individual objectives of each client, enabling attorneys to efficiently manage investigations and discovery and effectively work with any co-counsel. These commercial litigation matters have included cases involving abuses of trust, disciplinary hearings, contracts, fiduciary duty, fraud and deceptive trade practices, intellectual property, and employment agreements.
■ The firm represented Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, a publicly traded company that is a part of the largest commercial concern in Taiwan, in a theft of trade secrets case filed in Texas. After aggressively challenging the plaintiff ’s claims for more than $400 million in damages, the firm’s attorneys negotiated a settlement that was significantly less than Nan Ya’s remaining defense costs. The terms were so favorable that the remaining defendant, Formosa Plastics Corporation, asked the firm to serve as co-counsel at trial.
Personal Injury Cases:
Helping individuals gain some form of justice in the wake of death or injury to a loved one is important to the firm. This work often involves the search for the best way to convey the facts of the client’s story, allowing a jury to better understand how and why certain events occurred and the impact of those events on an individual, a family, or a broader segment of the population. In the successful resolution of product liability claims, the firm can bring about fundamental change in the way specific consumer goods are manufactured and marketed, at times forcing corporate interests and insurers to provide greater protections for customers, residents, or employees. Many of the firm’s plaintiff clients in personal injury cases have received jury awards and out-of-court settlements ranging from several thousands to millions of dollars.
■ Attorneys of the firm represented the mother of a young boy who was killed in an accident involving a ski boat manufactured by Skier’s Choice, Inc. The product liability case was effectively proven when a company design expert admitted under oath that the addition of a $40 piece of protective equipment would have saved the boy’s life. Soon thereafter, the case settled on terms quite satisfactory for the plaintiff
Criminal Matters:
The firm’s criminal defense team has brought cases to trial in jurisdictions across the nation. While this work often involves the defense of clients in state criminal courts, the firm also represents corporations and individuals charged in white-collar criminal matters and regularly counsels clients in criminal investigations brought by federal and state authorities.
■ The firm represented chemical manufacturer Arkema Inc. after the company and its executives were indicted on state criminal charges for reckless emission of air pollutants under the Texas Water Code. The case stemmed from a 2017 chemical fire at the company’s plant in Crosby, Texas. Inundated by Hurricane Harvey floodwaters, the plant lost power to several trailers that cooled the company’s temperature-regulated organic peroxide. A 2020 trial ended with a Texas judge issuing two directed verdicts and acquitting all defendants in the case.
Cases Involving Public Figures:
The firm’s ability to successfully cope with the personal needs and public scrutiny of high-profile individuals involved in civil or criminal litigation is an unmatched asset. These cases are particularly sensitive as they often involve potentially negative publicity. The firm’s judgment and experience in effectively engaging news media can help assure that any coverage is as balanced and objective as possible.
■ The firm represented former professional baseball player Roger Clemens in matters that developed from the Mitchell Report’s allegations of performance enhancing substance abuse in the sport. The firm represented Mr. Clemens in the criminal case brought by the Department of Justice alleging that he committed perjury during Congressional testimony about the report’s findings. After an initial mistrial, Mr. Clemens was found not guilty on all counts by a Washington DC jury after eight weeks of testimony. In addition, the firm represented Mr. Clemens in a civil defamation suit against his accuser, a civil defamation suit brought by his accuser, and other related hearings and investigations
Investigations:
The firm’s attorneys are fortunate to have the resources and experience to help clients respond to investigations and prosecutions by state and federal governmental agencies in a discreet, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The firm employs an in-house investigator with a background in law enforcement and corporate security to support the trial teams in both civil and criminal cases.
Clients:
Arkema Inc.; Arthur Andersen LLP; Burlington Resources; Calvin Murphy; Dow Jones & Company; Enterprise Products; ExxonMobil; Houston Community College System; Houston Independent School District; Houston Police Chief C.O. Bradford; The Houston Texans; J. Howard Marshall II; Las Vegas Sands Corp.; The Methodist Hospital; NCI Building Systems; Osprey Petroleum Company; Ponderosa Land Development Co.; Rafer Alston; Rice University; Roger Clemens; Rudy Tomjanovich; Russian Academy of Science; Scottie Pippen; Stealth, LP; Steve Francis; The Texas House Select Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations; Trigeant, Ltd.; Victoria Osteen; Wade Boggs; Warren Moon
Ranked Offices
Provided by Rusty Hardin & Associates
- Houston5 Houston Center, 1401 McKinney Suite 2250 , Houston, Texas, USA, TX 77010
- Web: www.rustyhardin.com
- Tel: +1 713 652 9000
- Fax: +1 713 652 9800
Rusty Hardin & Associates rankings




Articles, highlights and press releases
16 items provided by Rusty Hardin & Associates
Rusty Hardin Releases Statement on Behalf of Deshaun Watson
Attorney Rusty Hardin, who represents NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson, has released the following statement on his behalf: “Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday. We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but a
6 Rusty Hardin & Associates Partners Earn Recognition in 2024 Texas Super Lawyers Guide
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that six partners have been named to the 2024 edition of Texas Super Lawyers, which recognizes the top 5% of attorneys in the state each year.
5 Rusty Hardin & Associates Attorneys Named to 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators Guide
Five Rusty Hardin & Associates partners have been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators guide, a list of the top defense attorneys in the country.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Named to 2025 List of Best Law Firms
Rusty Hardin & Associates has been named as one of the nation’s Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers, one of the oldest and most respected legal guides in the industry.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Partner Daniel Dutko Named to 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in Americ
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that partner Daniel Dutko has earned recognition in the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide. As an honoree, Mr. Dutko joins an elite group of attorneys honored for their dedication, skill, and impact.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Wins Appellate Ruling on Behalf of Houston Nonprofits
Rusty Hardin & Associates secured an appellate victory on behalf of Houston nonprofits YMCA of Greater Houston, Legacy Community Health Services, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, and KIPP Houston Public Schools.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Earns Recognition in Chambers Spotlight Texas Guide for Third Consecutive
Rusty Hardin & Associates is proud to announce its inclusion in the Chambers Spotlight Texas guide for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its standing among the state’s leading small and mid-sized law firms.
Rusty Hardin Earns Repeat Recognition in Chambers Global Guide
Leading trial lawyer Rusty Hardin has been named to the 2025 Chambers Global Guide, a prestigious listing of the top lawyers and law firms around the world.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Partners Named Among the Nation’s Top Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that partners Rusty Hardin, Daniel Dutko, Ryan Higgins, and Joe Roden have again earned recognition in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumers Lawyers guide.
Lawdragon Names Rusty Hardin Among Nation’s Most Prominent Managing Partners
Acclaimed trial lawyer Rusty Hardin has been named among the nation’s most prominent managing partners in Lawdragon’s 2025 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know guide.
Texas Bar Foundation Honors Jennifer Brevorka
December 2018
Texas Lawyer newspaper Praises Rusty Hardin & Associates
Firm is selected as Litigation Department of the Year in 2016.
Five from Rusty Hardin & Associates Listed in 2018 Best Lawyers in America
Peers recognize the best attorneys in commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense and appellate law
Lawyers with Houston-based Rusty Hardin & Associates Rank Among Texas’ Best for 2017
Thomson Reuters names Rusty Hardin to Top 100 Super Lawyers in Houston.
Ryan Higgins Quoted in Law360 for Defense Win Over Facebook Posts
Law360 reports on Higgins' court win for a client who was wrongfully sued for defamation over her Facebook posts criticizing a consumer product.
Rusty Hardin Wins Jail Release of Grandparents Accused in International Child Custody Dispute
The case has received international coverage and carried by numerous news media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and Houston Chronicle. News media in Brazil also have followed the case.
Rusty Hardin Releases Statement on Behalf of Deshaun Watson
Attorney Rusty Hardin, who represents NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson, has released the following statement on his behalf: “Deshaun strongly denies the allegations in the Jane Doe lawsuit filed Monday. We have asked him not to comment further while this matter works its way through the courts, but a
6 Rusty Hardin & Associates Partners Earn Recognition in 2024 Texas Super Lawyers Guide
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that six partners have been named to the 2024 edition of Texas Super Lawyers, which recognizes the top 5% of attorneys in the state each year.
5 Rusty Hardin & Associates Attorneys Named to 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators Guide
Five Rusty Hardin & Associates partners have been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators guide, a list of the top defense attorneys in the country.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Named to 2025 List of Best Law Firms
Rusty Hardin & Associates has been named as one of the nation’s Best Law Firms by Best Lawyers, one of the oldest and most respected legal guides in the industry.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Partner Daniel Dutko Named to 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in Americ
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that partner Daniel Dutko has earned recognition in the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America guide. As an honoree, Mr. Dutko joins an elite group of attorneys honored for their dedication, skill, and impact.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Wins Appellate Ruling on Behalf of Houston Nonprofits
Rusty Hardin & Associates secured an appellate victory on behalf of Houston nonprofits YMCA of Greater Houston, Legacy Community Health Services, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, and KIPP Houston Public Schools.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Earns Recognition in Chambers Spotlight Texas Guide for Third Consecutive
Rusty Hardin & Associates is proud to announce its inclusion in the Chambers Spotlight Texas guide for the third consecutive year, reaffirming its standing among the state’s leading small and mid-sized law firms.
Rusty Hardin Earns Repeat Recognition in Chambers Global Guide
Leading trial lawyer Rusty Hardin has been named to the 2025 Chambers Global Guide, a prestigious listing of the top lawyers and law firms around the world.
Rusty Hardin & Associates Partners Named Among the Nation’s Top Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
Rusty Hardin & Associates is pleased to announce that partners Rusty Hardin, Daniel Dutko, Ryan Higgins, and Joe Roden have again earned recognition in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumers Lawyers guide.
Lawdragon Names Rusty Hardin Among Nation’s Most Prominent Managing Partners
Acclaimed trial lawyer Rusty Hardin has been named among the nation’s most prominent managing partners in Lawdragon’s 2025 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know guide.
Texas Bar Foundation Honors Jennifer Brevorka
December 2018
Texas Lawyer newspaper Praises Rusty Hardin & Associates
Firm is selected as Litigation Department of the Year in 2016.
Five from Rusty Hardin & Associates Listed in 2018 Best Lawyers in America
Peers recognize the best attorneys in commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense and appellate law
Lawyers with Houston-based Rusty Hardin & Associates Rank Among Texas’ Best for 2017
Thomson Reuters names Rusty Hardin to Top 100 Super Lawyers in Houston.
Ryan Higgins Quoted in Law360 for Defense Win Over Facebook Posts
Law360 reports on Higgins' court win for a client who was wrongfully sued for defamation over her Facebook posts criticizing a consumer product.
Rusty Hardin Wins Jail Release of Grandparents Accused in International Child Custody Dispute
The case has received international coverage and carried by numerous news media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and Houston Chronicle. News media in Brazil also have followed the case.