Governor Greg Abbott today announced his appointments to the new Eighth Business Court Division in Fort Worth, 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 encompasses 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., bringing 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 involved with the Tarrant County Bar Association as Chair of its Appellate Section Pro Bono Committee and is a fellow of both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Tarrant Bar Foundation. Bullard also volunteers for 6 Stones Mission Network (Night of Hope) and Cross Creek Student Ministry. He holds 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 serves as counsel at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP and is 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; a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation; and a sustaining life fellow of the Tarrant County Bar Foundation. His previous roles include membership in the Texas Association of Defense Counsel and serving as barrister for the American Inns of Court. Stagner has also been active with several charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Texas. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Angelo State University and his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law.
Last year Governor Abbott signed House Bill 19 into law creating new statewide specialty business trial courts aimed at streamlining resolutions for business disputes.