With more than 30 years of experience, George Haratsis holds specific expertise in civil trial law, with emphasis in commercial, insurance, employment, education, and trusts and estate litigation. He has won numerous jury trials and has briefed both state and federal appeals throughout Texas for a variety of clients, from individuals to corporations. George credits his ability to listen to and relate with anyone, his “never-quit” yet ethical attitude, and his earned credibility in the courtroom as a few of the reasons why he is an effective advocate.
George feels lucky to be in the position to assist clients with their problems and to earn a living at the same time using his skills, judgment, and experience. A Fort Worth native, he is encouraged by the interesting people he meets that help him be successful and is motivated by a drive to deal honorably with whom he comes in contact. When George is not in the office or assisting our clients, you may find him enjoying the Fort Worth Club, playing golf, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and extended family.
Education
- Juris Doctor – Texas Tech University School of Law, 1985
- Cum laude
- Texas Tech Law Review, Associate Editor
- Bachelor of Arts, Economics – University of Texas at Austin, 1982
Bar & Court Admissions & Certifications
- State Bar of Texas, 1985
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- Federal District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas
- Supreme Court of Texas
Awards & Recognition
- Texas Super Lawyers by Thompson Reuters: 2014-2019, 2024 (Business Litigation)
- Top Attorneys >5 Years of Practice by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine: 2013 (Civil Litigation) (Personal Injury - Defense), 2014 (Civil Law - Litigation & Transactions), 2016-2019 (Civil Law, Litigation)(Commercial Litigation), 2024
- 360 West Magazine Top Attorney - 2019 (Civil Law/Litigation), 2023 (Education)
- The Best Lawyers in America By Best Lawyers Rankings: 2024 (Commercial Litigation), 2025 (Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants)
Professional Affiliations & Organizations
- State Bar of Texas, Antitrust Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Labor & Employment Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Tort Law Section, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
- Labor and Employment Law Section, Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel (TADC), Member
- Fort Worth/North Texas Vice President, 2015-present
- Co-Chair, 2018 TADC Trial Academy, Feb. 23-24, 2018
- Board of Directors, 2006-2014
- Geneva Group International (GGI), Member
- LDR Practice Seminar Group, Member
- National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), Member
Volunteerism & Community
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Member
- Transportation Committee, 2014-present
- Governmental Affairs Committee, 2014-present
- American Hellenic Educational and Progressive Association, Member
- Fort Worth Chapter, Treasurer
- Fort Worth Chapter, Past President
Presentations
- “The Long Arm of U.S. Employment Discrimination Law,” presented to the Fort Worth Paralegal Association, September 26, 2019
- “The Long Arm of U.S. Employment Discrimination Law,” Geneva Group International’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice Group’s Annual Meeting | Co-Presenter | March 29-31, 2019
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Biennial 2018 Trial Academy, Co-Chair and Co-Organizer
- McDonald Sanders Employment Law Update (client seminar), November 30, 2016, Speaker and Presenter
Publications
- Manuel v. Chrysler Motors, LLC, Feb. 24, 2012, West Reported Legal Opinion – 362 S.W.2d 160
- Flores v. Hansen, Sep. 16, 2010, Westlaw Legal Opinion – 2010 WL 3618737
- Tarrant County Hospital Dist. v. Henry, July 26, 2001, West Reported Legal Opinion – 52 S.W.3d 434
- Hunt v. Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Co., July 6, 1995, West Reported Legal Opinion – 900 S.W.2d 453
- Guinn v. Texas Christian University, Nov. 13, 1991, West Reported Legal Opinion – 818 S.W.2d 930
Representative Experience & Services
George has represented many types of clients, from private individuals looking for counsel on specific matters to companies with many interests in different industries. Primarily a civil trial attorney, he has provided counsel and representation in a variety of practice areas:
- Business transactional litigation
- Commercial and corporate litigation
- Tort and insurance defense litigation
- Real estate litigation
- Employment litigation, including non-compete law
- Non-subscribers to workers’ compensation litigation
- Education litigation, especially in college and university-related matters
- Life insurance and trusts litigation
Some of George’s many cases and representative experiences include:
- In re Rogers Wealth Group, Inc., March 9, 2018, Westlaw 2018 WL 1230460
- William Marsh Rice University v. Refaey, April 24, 2015, Westlaw 459 S.W.3d 590
- Tarrant County; Minyard v. Brown; personal injury plaintiff claimed a serious injury that required extensive reconstructive back surgery; jury ruled in favor of our client finding no negligence.
- Harris County; Lane v. Schepps; successfully defended employer in jury trial against a disabled ex-employee’s personal injury claim in which plaintiff sought damages in excess of $500,000.
- Johnson County; Sangwin v. Trinity Forge, Inc.; successfully defended employer in jury trial against a manager’s claim that he was completely disabled as a result of multiple on-the-job injuries and in which he sought damages in excess of $2 million.
- Tarrant County; Parsons v. Graf; personal injury plaintiff alleged he was completely disabled as a result of a rear end vehicular accident and sought damages in excess of $750,000; jury apportioned negligence between plaintiff and client-defendant and awarded plaintiff only $4,750.
- Thos. S. Byrne, Ltd. v. Seal Craft Corp., Not Reported in S.W.3d (2013), obtained defense verdict for subcontractor and surety company against general contractor who claimed subcontractor breached construction contract.
- DaimlerChrysler Motors Company, LLC v. Manuel, 362 S.W.3d 160 (Tex. App. - Fort Worth 2012, no pet. h.)
- Tarrant County Hospital District v. Henry, 52 S.W.3d 434 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth, 2001, no pet.)
- Hunt v. Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Co., 900 S.W.2d 453 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 1995)
- Guinn v. Texas Christian University, 818 S.W.2d 930 (Tex. App. – Fort Worth 1991) cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1081 (1993)
- Texas Commerce Bank – Hurst, N.A. v. United States, 896 F.2d 152 (5th Cir.) (Tex. 1990)