The History of National Trial Law

The personal injury attorneys at National Trial law comprise one of the oldest, and most well-established plaintiffs’ law firms in Austin, Texas. Our firm was established in 1971 as Kidd Whitehurst, later known as Whitehurst Harkness, before becoming National Trial Law. We have a history of achieving record verdicts and settlements in personal injury cases. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to maximize our clients’ success.

National Trial Law also possesses the financial ability to fund complex litigation. We help level the playing field for our clients by financing case expenses up front and being paid on a contingency-fee basis, because their opponents often have access to many more resources. Our lawyers are experienced at every stage of the case. We represent clients from pre-suit negotiations, administrative claims, through jury and bench trials in state and federal court, to appeals in the Texas Supreme Court, the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth Circuits, and appeals to the Supreme Court of the United States.  At trial, we use the latest technology combined with the experience of our trial lawyers to present a case effectively.

Our firm has achieved record-setting results, including two of the largest verdicts under the Federal Tort Claims Act. We secured a $230 million trial win for survivors of the Sutherland Springs Church mass shooting and a $44.7 million trial win for a birth injury caused by negligence at an Air Force hospital. In another landmark case, we obtained a $21.5 million verdict for a veteran who suffered catastrophic brain damage due to malpractice at the Manchester VA Hospital—the largest personal injury award in New Hampshire history. Our firm set another record in Missouri, achieving a $10,500,000 settlement for a veteran who suffered total kidney failure due the VA’s overprescription of NSAIDs. These outcomes reflect our dedication to holding institutions accountable and delivering justice for our clients.