Former Texas Appellate Justice Craig Stoddart Joins The Pettit Law Firm

The Pettit Law Firm announced that former Texas Court of Appeals Justice Craig Stoddart has joined the commercial and real estate litigation boutique as senior counsel.

Stoddart served on the 5th District Court of Appeals in Dallas from 2014-2018. He presided over 1,300 cases and authored more than 400 opinions, many involving complex commercial cases.

He also represented the state of Texas in more than 140 appellate prosecutions before joining the Court of Appeals.

“Justice Stoddart’s unique combination of trial court success and appellate expertise will greatly benefit our clients,” said firm founding partner Julie Pettit. “He provides our trial team with a pragmatic appellate perspective as we prepare for the courtroom, and he has the experience and expertise to assist our clients on appeal. We are honored to have such a knowledgeable and well-respected lawyer become a part of our firm.”

“I am extremely excited to join the team of talented attorneys at The Pettit Law Firm,” said Stoddart. “It is unusual to find a boutique firm that is so client-focused and achieves such impressive trial results. I look forward to serving our clients in trial and appellate work here.”

Before his judicial career, Stoddart served as appellate prosecutor for the Rockwall County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for 22 years. He has argued before appellate courts across the state, including the state’s highest criminal court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and is a graduate of the University of North Texas.