Chad Arnette

Chad Arnette is a Texas trial and appellate lawyer with more than 25 years of experience handling complex commercial disputes. He is a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP and his practice focuses on complex commercial, constitutional, energy, employment law, and business disputes. He has tried cases and served as lead appellate counsel in matters involving contracts, fraud, oil and gas, shareholder disputes, antitrust, and construction defects. He also litigates constitutional claims and has argued significant First Amendment issues before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, securing favorable results for clients in litigation.

Chad earned his B.P.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi in 1996. He received his J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1999. He served on the SMU Law Review, joined Phi Delta Phi, and earned Dean’s List recognition. He is admitted in Texas, before the US Supreme Court, the Fifth and Second Circuits, and federal district courts in Texas and Arkansas for litigation.

Chad represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, and appeals across multiple industries. He has obtained multimillion-dollar awards, settlements, summary judgments, dismissals, and trial victories in business disputes. He has handled pipeline failures, M&A disputes, professional malpractice claims, tax controversies, trademark matters, employment disputes, and municipal litigation. His work also includes appellate victories involving constitutional challenges, commercial disputes, and other matters requiring extensive briefing and courtroom advocacy for clients.

Chad Arnette has earned sustained professional recognition for his litigation work. He has been selected to Texas Super Lawyers from 2013 through 2026 and The Best Lawyers in America from 2018 through 2027. He has also received honors for commercial litigation, antitrust, municipal litigation, and other areas. His broad trial and appellate background supports focused strategy, detailed preparation, and effective advocacy in sophisticated business and constitutional disputes for diverse clients.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Kelly Hart & Hallman, LLP
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Dallas Bar Association
• Member, Tarrant County Bar Association
• Former Member, Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Greeting Committee
• Former Member, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Regional Advisory Board

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• Southern Methodist University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Mississippi
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges