George E. Hyde
George Hyde offers Firm clients multi-disciplinary legal services in many forms. Routine areas of engagement include special project counsel, general counsel, city attorney, land use and development, economic development, human resources, and both litigation and appellate engagements are common.
Mr. Hyde is one of the few Texas attorneys to have real trial experience in both Texas and Federal courts, before law school. He began working in the legal field in 1989 supporting courtroom experts in high profile national and international products liability litigation. In 1993, he redirected his work toward direct attorney support, serving as a trial paralegal on matters involving products liability, insurance defense, medical malpractice, legal malpractice and labor and employment.
In the Fall of 1996, Mr. Hyde entered law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law. He graduated in December 1998 both early and with cum laude honors in only 28 months. During law school Mr. Hyde participated with high recognition in both mock trial and moot court competitions and was selected in his third-year to serve as a Legal Research Instructor for incoming law students. He also continued to work while in school as a law clerk to help support his family. Today, Mr. Hyde serves as a Director on the St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
While Mr. Hyde began his practice handling litigation matters, in 2001 he diversified his law practice to include the myriad of areas necessary for the legal support of local government. By applying his litigation and courtroom experience with sound judgement and competent legal advice when serving governmental bodies and administrative officials he has maintained a robust practice for more than 20 years.
Mr. Hyde became a member of the State Bar of Texas in 1993 as a certified member of its Legal Assistants’ Division and has remained a member since. In July 1997, while still a student, Mr. Hyde obtained a supervised law license allowing him to practice law as a qualified law student and as a qualified unlicensed law graduate, until the issuance of his regular license on May 1999.
Mr. Hyde is licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and admitted to practice in all Texas district and appellate courts, and the Texas Supreme Court. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Hyde holds Merit Certification in Municipal Law, issued by the Texas City Attorneys Association.
Mr. Hyde offers continuing legal education as a Faculty Member of the State Bar of Texas Government Law Section. Mr. Hyde serves as a continuing legal education speaker for the Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool and as a continuing education speaker for the Texas Municipal League and many of its affiliate associations. He is also a past speaker for the annual University of Texas Land Use Conference, the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association and the Capital Area Council of Governments [CAPCOG].
Mr. Hyde's litigation and appellate practice includes substantial involvement as primary handling attorney, as supervising attorney or as a member of the litigation team in hundreds of Texas and Federal district court matters. These include over 22 reported Texas appellate court matters, 19 reported Federal district court matters and five (5) reported Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals matters. Mr. Hyde has served as the City Attorney in nine (9) cities across Texas ranging in size from hundreds to over 60,000 population and served as an Assistant City Attorney in dozens more. He has also served as Municipal Prosecutor in seven (7) municipalities.
Mr. Hyde has further served as General Counsel for Tax Increment Reinvestment Boards, Economic Development Boards and Local Government Corporations for more than eight (8) municipalities.
Mr. Hyde’s experience in municipal law and specifically in land use is complete and comprehensive.