Mr. David Arthur Skeels

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Mr. David Arthur Skeels: Attorney with Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz PLLC
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

David’s second career, as a trial lawyer and intellectual property lawyer, follows a career in professional baseball that spanned five seasons. His journey as a minor-league catcher and coach in the Seattle Mariners, Oakland A’s, and Texas Rangers organizations has been chronicled by multiple publications, including Texas Lawyer and Baylor Law School’s Rocket Docket, which described his adventure as a member of New Zealand’s 2012 World Baseball Classic team.

David’s passion to compete and win has translated well into his legal pursuits. Since 2003, David has enjoyed litigating complex cases across multiple fields, including intellectual property, business, oil and gas, sports and entertainment, and consumer-related matters. More recently, he has advised clients and been a featured speaker on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) issues.

David’s courtroom experience, which includes numerous first-chair engagements, includes successful trials in both federal and state court, in Texas and outside of Texas. Since 2008, he has focused the vast majority of his time and efforts representing plaintiffs in high-stakes intellectual property litigation and complex commercial litigation. He was elected by his fellow IP lawyers to serve as Chair of the Tarrant County Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section from 2009 to 2010.

David also handles appeals and has argued successfully before the Texas Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

David has been accorded the highest Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell: AV Preeminent.

Awards & Recognitions

Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” for the years 2011-2025. “Super Lawyers” is a Thomson-Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly.

Named a “Super Lawyer-Rising Star” for the years 2006-2009, 2011-2013. “Super Lawyer-Rising Stars” is a Thomson-Reuters service selected by peer review ratings.

Recognized as a Top Attorney by 360 West Magazine 2018 to present

Included on a list of “Top Attorneys” in 2013-2024, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine.

AV-Rated Martindale-Hubbell: Preeminent

Publications & Presentations

A House Divided? The House v. NCAA Settlement and the State of NIL (Fort Worth City Club Speaker Series - Oct. 10, 2024)

WILD, WILD WE$T: Name, Image, and Likeness Issues and the Changing Landscape of “Amateur” Athletics (Fort Worth City Club Speaker Series - Mar. 9, 2023)

Guest Speaker: UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law -- Patent Litigation Seminar (Oct. 15, 2022)

How to Secure Injunctive Relief in Patent Cases. Advanced Patent Litigation Jul 19, 2019

Baseball & the Supreme Court: Indispensable & Inseparable Institutions (Fort Worth City Club Speaker Series -- Jan 11, 2018)

Status of Cybor Corp. v. FAS Technologies after Federal Circuit's en banc ruling in Lighting Ballast Control v. Universal Lighting (Texas Lawyer video series: Reversed and Remanded)

The DTPA's Professional Services Exemption: Let 'em be Doctors and Lawyers and Such (55 Baylor L. Rev. 783)

See more ›

Areas of Practice (3)

  • Intellectual Property, including Patent, Trademark, Copyright, and Trade Secret litigation
  • Commercial Litigation, including Oil & Gas and Fiduciary litigation
  • Sports & Entertainment, including counseling clients on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) issues

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
University of Arkansas, B.A., 1995
Law School Attended:
Baylor Law School, J.D., 2003
Year of First Admission:
2003
Admission:
2003, Texas Bar; U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas; U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado; U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; U.S. Supreme Court; 2003, Texas
Memberships:

Associations & Memberships

State Bar of Texas

Tarrant County Bar Association

Eldon B. Mahon American Inn of Court

The Federalist Society

Trinity River Baptist Church

Life fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Languages:
Spanish (Conversational)
Reported Cases:
Lighting Ballast Control LLC v. Philips Electronics, N. Am. Corp., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 127409 (N.D. Tex. Dec. 2, 2010), 814 F. Supp. 2d 665 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 26, 2011), 135 S. Ct. 1173 (2015), 790 F.3d 1329, 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2015)Thermotek, Inc. v. WMI Enters. LLC, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 42131 (N.D. Tex. April 19, 2011)Onoh v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 613 F.3d 596 (5th Cir. 2010)In re XTO Resources I, LP, 248 S.W.3d 898 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 2008, no pet.); Vinson Minerals, Ltd. v. XTO Energy, Inc., 335 S.W.3d 344 (Tex. App.--Fort Worth 2010)•Progressive Semiconductor Solutions LLC v. Qualcomm Techs., Inc. et al., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 124014 (C.D. Cal. 2014); •Advanced Data Access LLC v. Toshiba Corp., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 187387 (E.D. Tex. 2012)•3D Design Solutions LLC v. Cadence Design Sys., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 46552 (N.D. Tex. 2013)•Mexico Foods, LLC v. Mi Rancho Meat Mkt., 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 25680 (N.D. Tex. 2015).
ISLN:
917478664
Hobbies & interests:
Little League Baseball, golf, Civil War history.

Payment Information

Fixed Hourly Rates
Available
Credit Cards Accepted
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Other Information
Fixed fees available

Peer Reviews

4.8/5.0 (10 reviews)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.8/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.7/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.9/5.0

  • Communication

    4.8/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.7/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Other Law Firm Position on 10/11/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

    I have known David for nearly ten (10) years. He is an excellent lawyer who prides himself on getting great results for his clients. He's teriffic.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 10/03/11 in Litigation

    I know from personal experience that David is an exceptional lawyer, highly qualified in all aspects of litigation. He is a credit to the Bar.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 10/03/11 in Personal Injury

    I had the pleasure of working with David several years ago, first when he was a law clerk and later as an associate at my former law firm. I've followed him since our days practicing together and would not hesitate to send any legal matter to him.... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 09/30/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

    David Skeels is an excellent lawyer in the field of intellectual property litigation. My firm and his firm have worked on several matters together. I have been very impressed with his maturity as a lawyer. Although he is in his 30s, he had another... Read more

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 09/21/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

    David is an excellent lawyer with a strong work ethic and excellent judgment.

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  • 5.0/5.0 Rated by a Of Counsel on 09/19/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

    David is a shrewd lawyer with the highest ethical standards. An outstanding representative of our profession.

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  • 4.8/5.0 Rated by a Partner on 10/05/11 in Intellectual Property

    I have worked with David and have been very impressed by his abilities and work ethic.

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  • 4.4/5.0 Rated by a Member on 10/05/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

    David is an excellent lawyer.

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  • 4.4/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 09/27/11 in Civil Litigation

    David is a highly-ethical and trustworthy person with excellent legal skills. He is still a young lawyer in years of experience but is diligent. He has strong character.

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  • 4.2/5.0 Rated by a Managing Partner on 09/27/11 in Intellectual Property Litigation

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Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Video Call Options

  • Zoom

Contact Mr. David Arthur Skeels

Contact Information:

817-878-0501  Fax

www.whitakerchalk.com

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