Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the prestigious National Board of Trial Advocacy, Eric Pinker represents clients in a wide range of complex commercial disputes in trial and appellate courts throughout the country. In cases ranging from Texas to New York to Colorado, and in matters ranging from the prosecution of professional malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty claims to the defense of companies involved in complex transactions, Eric consistently delivers exceptional results. While in private practice, Eric has represented clients who have recovered more than $250 million, and has defended clients against claims valued at more than $500 million.

Trial Experience

Eric has successfully represented clients on a broad spectrum of complex commercial litigation matters, including accounting malpractice, claims arising out of business transactions (including mergers, spin-offs and asset sales) and disputes involving intellectual property, fiduciary responsibilities and closely-held businesses. With more than a dozen trials and several hundred days of experience in actual trial and injunction proceedings, Eric has extensive experience in preparing and presenting cases for trial. Some noteworthy experiences include the successful prosecution of multiple lawsuits seeking to enforce rights under a critical patent portfolio, which litigations resulted in the entry of 12 final injunctions prohibiting the manufacture or sale of infringing products; the successful representation of a nationwide restaurant chain in asserting claims arising out of the receipt and sale of genetically modified food products, and the successful defense of Lloyd's insurance syndicates in property insurance claims arising out of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Appellate Experience

Eric has successfully handled numerous cases on appeal. During his career, he has argued more than a dozen cases before appellate courts, including the Texas Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and state courts of appeal throughout Texas. In one groundbreaking case, Eric represented the City of Lancaster and its police officers in a police chase case that established the standard for qualified immunity in Texas. See City of Lancaster v. Chambers, 883 S.W.2d 650 (Tex. 1994). Other representative cases include Evan Brown v. Alcatel USA, Inc., 2004 WL 1434521 (Tex. App.—Dallas, pet. denied) (involving intellectual property claims); CHEMD, Inc. v. KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP, 2001 WL 893989 (Tex. App.‑‑Dallas 2001, pet. denied) (involving audit malpractice claims); Golden Harvest v. City of Dallas, 942 S.W.2d 682 (Tex. App.—Tyler 1997, Pet. denied) (involving taking claims and sovereign immunity); Wyndham International, Inc. v. ACE American Insurance Co., et al., 186 S.W.3d 682.

Recognition

Eric has been repeatedly recognized for excellence in business litigation and trial work.  Among his honors, he has been selected for Best Lawyers in America in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; selected as a "Texas Superlawyer" by Law & Politics Magazine (as seen in Texas Monthly) each year from 2003 through 2011 (and listed as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011); selected as a member of the inaugural class of "The Defenders" by The Dallas Business Journal; recognized in 2006 by Lawdragon as one of 500 Leading Plaintiffs' Lawyers in America; recognized in 2007 by Lawdragon as one of 500 Leading Lawyers in America; selected as one of the "Ten Rising Stars" by The Texas Lawyer in 2000; and selected as one of Dallas' "Best Lawyers Under 40" by D Magazine in 2002 and 2004.  Mr. Pinker has also been elected as a Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America.

Admissions

United States Courts of Appeal for the Third and Fifth Circuits, and United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas. He is active in Bar and community service activities including the Dallas Bar Association's Trial Skill Section (Board member from 2003-present), the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court (Barrister from 2003 to 2007), the Barbara M.G. Lynn American Inn of Court (Master) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas (Board member and Chair of Planning and Allocations Committee).  Eric is married to Melanie Johnson Pinker, and is the proud father of two girls.  He received both his undergraduate degree in Plan II and his JD from the University of Texas at Austin.