Attorney Profiles
Biography
Melissa Hutts, a Baron & Budd shareholder, is an accomplished trial lawyer who has won significant jury awards in Texas and Louisiana on behalf of workers who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Beloved by Baron & Budd staff and clients alike, Melissa is known for her humanity, warmth, kindness, and compassion. In fact, she describes representing injured plaintiffs as her calling, and the best part of her work as the ability to help people. "The work we do is truly about good vs. evil," she says.
In addition to representing people injured by exposure to toxic substances, Melissa has also handled cases for people hurt by defective pharmaceuticals as well as victims of sexual harassment. Melissa has published and lectured on a variety of topics, including products liability, premises liability, and sexual harassment. She is a former member of the board of directors of the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, a past associate director of Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and past co-chair of Texas Trial Lawyers Association Advocates.
Melissa has been repeatedly honored for her career accomplishments. She was named a "Rising Star of Texas Law" in 2004 by Law & Politics Media and Texas Monthly and a "Texas Super Lawyer" by those publications in 2005 and 2006. Outside of her law practice, Melissa devotes her time to her children and enjoys running and photography.
Education
Southern Methodist University (J.D. 1991)
University of Illinois (B.A. 1988)
Bar & Court Admissions
Texas
Missouri
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Professional Associations
American Association for Justice
Texas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Dallas Bar Association
Dallas Women Lawyers Association
Presentations
"Sexual Torts: Emerging Theories of the 90's," Strategies for Success in Personal Injury Cases in Texas: Hot Tips for Hot Times, Seminar sponsored by Texas Trial Lawyers Association (May 1993).
"Bad Faith Litigation in Texas" (July 1994).
Publications
Author, "Premises Liability's Evolution in the 1990's," 54 Texas Bar Journal 1062 (November 1994).
Author, "Silicone Implants: The Coming Legal Tidal Wave?" 26 Trial Lawyers Forum 3 (1992).
Author, "Silicone Implants: Tolling of Statute of Limitations," 20 Barrister 37 1 (Spring 1993).
"Sexual Torts: Emerging Theories of the 90's," 57 Texas Bar Journal 1060 (November 1994).
Significant Trials
Seddon v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., et al, No. 92-056605-K (192nd Jud. Dist., Dallas County, Texas)
Smith v. Synkoloid Co., No. 95-04-1709-D (103rd Jud. Dist. Ct., Cameron County, Texas)
Fitts, et al v. Keene Corp., et al, No. 92-10123 (353rd Jud. Dist. Ct., Travis County, Texas)
Vail v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., et al, No. 45907, consolidated with Killingsworth v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., et al, No. 46280 (18th Jud Dist. Ct., Iberville Parish, Louisiana)
Newsrss
Texas Super Lawyers Honors Baron & Budd Attorneys
Attorneys from the Dallas office of Baron & Budd, P.C. have been named to the 2005 list of Texas Super Lawyers. Read More
