Brian D. Esenwein

Brian D. Esenwein is a Fort Worth founding partner whose practice covers arbitration and mediation, business transactions, construction, employment, estate planning, healthcare, energy, probate, and real estate. He advises individuals and organizations on transactions, disputes, planning matters, and business concerns that may involve complex financial issues. His background as both an attorney and Certified Public Accountant supports practical analysis of contracts, property interests, business structures, and financial records for clients.

Brian earned his J.D. from Baylor University School of Law in 1982, graduating in the top 15 percent of his class and serving as an associate editor of the Baylor Law Review. He received his B.B.A. in Accounting, with honors, from Texas Tech University in 1977. His legal and accounting education supports his ability to evaluate financial information, tax-sensitive concerns, transactional structures, and document-intensive disputes with informed judgment for clients.

Brian has substantial experience representing parties in arbitration and mediation and also serves as a neutral dispute resolver. He has served as a mediator for more than 20 years in matters arising in Tarrant, Dallas, and Collin counties and the Northern District of Texas. His mediation work includes complex disputes involving contracts, employment, trade secrets, fiduciary duties, banking, personal injury, medical malpractice, intellectual property, fraud, and business relationships for clients.

Brian D. Esenwein is admitted in Texas, before the Fifth Circuit, and before the US Supreme Court. He holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and an emeritus member of the Mahon Inn of Court. He participates in the Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth Business and Estate Planning Council, and American Arbitration Association, reflecting involvement in business law and dispute resolution.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founding Partner, Cotten Schmidt
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Emeritus, Mahon Inn of Court
• Member, Tarrant County Bar Association
• Member, Fort Worth Business and Estate Planning Council
• Member, American Arbitration Association
• Former Member, American Health Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• Baylor University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Texas Tech University
  BBA in Accounting

Awards & Badges