Two Hankinson LLP Attorneys Earn Board Certification in Civil Appellate Law -- DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas-based appellate law boutique Hankinson LLP is proudly announcing that firm attorneys Ryan Clinton and Brett Kutnick have become Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. "There are tens of thousands of lawyers in Texas, but only 435 are Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law," says Rick Thompson, managing partner of Hankinson LLP. That makes Ryan and Brett part of a very select group and we're extremely proud of their accomplishment. Hankinson LLP now is home to four attorneys who are Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law, including firm founder Deborah Hankinson and Mr. Thompson. To earn board certification, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Kutnick were approved to take a six-hour written exam based on a demonstration of their unique appellate experience, passed the exam, and were screened by an extensive peer-review process. Mr. Kutnick utilizes his appellate expertise, extensive business background, and over 16 years of experience in Texas trial and appellate courts to bring substantial value to his clients at all stages of a lawsuit. With a focus on complex commercial litigation, Mr. Kutnick has successfully represented his clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas courts of appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in a wide variety of matters, including contract disputes, business torts, legal malpractice claims, breach of fiduciary duty actions, and shareholder oppression cases. As a former litigator, he is in a unique position to anticipate the ways in which pretrial and trial issues affect the client's position in a potential appeal, and thus plays an integral role in shaping pretrial strategy and working with trial counsel to analyze complex procedural, jurisdictional, and evidentiary issues, draft jury charges and trial briefs, and preserve error. Mr. Clinton is a rising star in the Texas appellate world and a former Texas Assistant Solicitor General. He has successfully handled seven cases in the Texas Supreme Court as lead counsel and has already presented more than 20 appellate oral arguments - four in the Texas Supreme Court alone. Over the last few years, Mr. Clinton has developed a niche practice handling appeals in groundbreaking oil-and-gas litigation including a gas-royalties dispute that will define Texas royalty obligations for generations to come. He has represented clients before the Texas Supreme Court, the 5th Circuit, the majority of Texas intermediate appellate courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Hankinson LLP, the preeminent civil appellate firm in the Southwest, provides clients with innovative legal insights and judicial perspective in all phases of litigation. The firm's attorneys work with trial teams to develop strategies designed to put a case in the best position before, during and after trial. Dallas-based Hankinson LLP represents national clients, regional companies, governmental bodies, and individuals with trial and appellate matters, and offers mediation and arbitration services as well. Learn more about the firm at http://hankinsonlaw.com. For more information, please contact Mark Annick at 800-559-4534 or mark@androvett.com. RELATED LINKS http://hankinsonlaw.com