Brian Sanford has practiced law since 1986, starting out representing corporations in business litigation but eventually representing only individuals damaged when others violate the law.
“Representative government and trial by jury are the heart and lungs of liberty. Without them we have no other fortification against being ridden like horses, fleeced like sheep, worked like cattle, and fed and clothed like swine and hounds.” – John Adams, 1774
Brian takes on cases where the verdict will make the community safer. He is known for his forthrightness, courage, and commitment to justice. He gives back through non-profit organizations and is active in his church. He sang with the Dallas Symphony Chorus for over 20 years.
Brian enforces the law as a private attorney general, helping others balance the inequity of injustice in their lives with compensation allowed by the law. When the law is enforced, rights are restored, and the community is safer.
Education
- Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law (J.D. 1986)
- Southern Methodist University (B.A. 1982)
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Bar Association of the Fifth Circuit
- American Association of Justice
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association (Board Member)
- National Employment Lawyers Association
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association (Past President and Board Member)
- Dallas Bar Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- DFW-NELA (Past Board Member)
- Dallas Bar Association
- Keenan Trial Institute
- Trial Lawyers College Ranch Club
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association
- Business Network International
- Hope Clinic of Garland, Texas (Founder and Past Board Member)
Admissions, Certifications, and Honors
- Admitted to practice:
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Texas Supreme Court
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. Northern District Court of Texas
- U.S. Southern District Court of Texas
- U.S. Eastern District Court of Texas
- U.S. Western Districts of Texas
- Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Civil Trial Law
- Labor and Employment Law
- Instructor and Co-Dean of the Keenan Trial Institute
- Keenan Trial Institute Trial Lawyer of the Year 2022
- Texas Super Lawyer
- D Magazine Best Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (Civil)
- Lawyers of Distinction (2023 Power Lawyer)
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubble
- The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers
- Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation
Selected Speaking Presentations
- Proving Causation in Employment Cases, NELA Georgia, Employee Rights Advocates Seminar 2024
- Post Covid Jury Verdicts: University of Texas Employment Law Seminar 2023
- Cross Examination Techniques: Dallas Trial Lawyers Association 2022
- Culling Edge Issues In Evidence: Stale Bar of Texas 30th Advanced Employment Law Course 2022
- Checklist for Trial: Texas Employment Lawyers Association Fall Seminar 2021
- Cutting Edge Trial and Pretrial Techniques In Employment Cases: National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference 2019
- Picking Your Bunkmates – Tips for Voir Dire: Texas Employment Lawyers Association Spring Seminar 2019
- Advocacy Techniques In Employment Cases: Masters In Employment Edge Seminar 2018
- “But You’ll Never Prove It” – Convincing the Fact Trier: Texas Employment Lawyers Association Fall Seminar 2018
- Proof of Discrimination and Retaliation: Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar, 2018
- The State of ADR: State Bar of Texas, 29th Annual Labor Law Institute 2018
- Keenan Trial Institute – Panel Discussion and Moderator: Employment Seminar, 2018
- Client Conducted Investigations – Work Product and Privilege Issues: Slate Bar of Texas, Labor and Employment 2018
- Opening Statements In Employment Cases· Edge Employment Seminar 2017
- Rules of the Road on Employment Cases: National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Conference 2016
- Trial Issues In Employment Cases: Texas Employment Lawyers Association Spring Seminar 2016
- The First 30 Days: What Your Client Needs to Know form the Beginning (Plaintiffs’ Perspective): State Bar of Texas, Employment Law 101, 2016
- Lessons Learned from Recent Trial Victories -Co-Presenter, John Griffin, Texas Employment Lawyers Association Fall Seminar 2015
- The Use of Experts In Employment Cases-Co-Presenter, Gerald Howard, Stale Bar of Texas 26th Annual Labor Law Institute 2015
- Cross Examination, Co-Presenter, Susan Hutchison, Texas Employment Lawyers Association Spring Seminar 2015
- Preparing Opening Statements, Texas Employment Lawyers Association Spring Seminar 2014
- Preparing the Plaintiff for a Deposition and Trial: Edge Employment Seminar 2020
Published Articles
- Attitude Adjustment – Understanding Implicit Bias and Opportunities to Minimize Its Effect, Texas Bar Journal, Vol. 18, No.11, p. 848, (December 2018)
- The Art of Arbitrating Employment Cases, Co-Author Elizabeth ”BB” Sanford, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section, 105 The Advocate 31 (Winter 2023)
