Robert E. Thackston
Partner
Suite 750
Dallas, TX 75219
Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75024
Robert is a trial attorney who has focused his work in high-stakes cases involving Fortune 500 companies from around the world. He has defended manufacturers of products and equipment from a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial, energy, construction, food, and consumer goods. Robert has also defended clients in matters related to data centers including...
Robert is a trial attorney who has focused his work in high-stakes cases involving Fortune 500 companies from around the world. He has defended manufacturers of products and equipment from a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial, energy, construction, food, and consumer goods. Robert has also defended clients in matters related to data centers including potential noise nuisance cases and security issues. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in nuisance cases and commercial cases. Originally from North Carolina, he has tried cases from South Carolina to San Francisco and Los Angeles to New York, plus many places in between.
potential noise nuisance cases and security issues. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in nuisance cases and commercial cases. Originally from North Carolina, he has tried cases from South Carolina to San Francisco and Los Angeles to New York, plus many places in between.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Cardillo v. American International Industries, 6-week trial in NY state court to a unanimous defense verdict. Rested after plaintiff’s case. Opened, closed, crossed 4 experts and 2 fact witnesses. Jan- Feb 2024.
- Bell v. American International International Industries, 627 F.Supp 3rd 627 (MDNC 2021) (Unsealing expert reliance materials in cosmetic talc litigation that undermined credibility of key plaintiff’s expert’s published article)
- Plant v. Whittaker Clark & Daniel’s (Talc trial in SC to verdict, 2-23)
- Fisher v. AII (Talc trial to verdict in Philadelphia to verdict 10-22)
- Lashley v. AII (Talc trial in NJ for 3 weeks before Covid adjournment (2-19)
- Smithfield Hog Farm trials, Eastern district of NC, both the verdict 9-17 and 1-18
Previous Professional Experience
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2019–2023)
- Name Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2003–2018)
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (1996–2003)
- Attorney, Richmond, Virginia Law Firm (1987–1993)
Internships
- Legal Intern, Atlanta Law Firm (1986)
- Legal Intern, North Carolina Law Firm (1985)
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, JD with Honors (1987)
-
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
BS
(1984)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- Texas
- California
- Illinois
- New York
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Practice Areas
Representative Matters
- Cardillo v. American International Industries, 6-week trial in NY state court to a unanimous defense verdict. Rested after plaintiff’s case. Opened, closed, crossed 4 experts and 2 fact witnesses. Jan- Feb 2024.
- Bell v. American International International Industries, 627 F.Supp 3rd 627 (MDNC 2021) (Unsealing expert reliance materials in cosmetic talc litigation that undermined credibility of key plaintiff’s expert’s published article)
- Plant v. Whittaker Clark & Daniel’s (Talc trial in SC to verdict, 2-23)
- Fisher v. AII (Talc trial to verdict in Philadelphia to verdict 10-22)
- Lashley v. AII (Talc trial in NJ for 3 weeks before Covid adjournment (2-19)
- Smithfield Hog Farm trials, Eastern district of NC, both the verdict 9-17 and 1-18
Previous Professional Experience
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2019–2023)
- Name Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2003–2018)
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (1996–2003)
- Attorney, Richmond, Virginia Law Firm (1987–1993)
Internships
- Legal Intern, Atlanta Law Firm (1986)
- Legal Intern, North Carolina Law Firm (1985)
Media
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2025-2026)
Professional Activities
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Texas Lawyer Texas Trailblazers (2020)
- Benchmark Litigation, the Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, Local Litigation Star (2020–2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2020–2024)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Lawyer of the Year (2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Rating
- Super Lawyers (2007–2009)
Community
- Member, St. Monica Dads Club
- Team Dad, Bishop Lynch Girls Basketball
Leadership
- Prior roles including managing partner, partner in charge of office, national coordinating counsel
Robert is a trial attorney who has focused his work in high-stakes cases involving Fortune 500 companies from around the world. He has defended manufacturers of products and equipment from a variety of industries, including automotive, industrial, energy, construction, food, and consumer goods. Robert has also defended clients in matters related to data centers including... potential noise nuisance cases and security issues. He has represented plaintiffs and defendants in nuisance cases and commercial cases. Originally from North Carolina, he has tried cases from South Carolina to San Francisco and Los Angeles to New York, plus many places in between.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Matters
- Cardillo v. American International Industries, 6-week trial in NY state court to a unanimous defense verdict. Rested after plaintiff’s case. Opened, closed, crossed 4 experts and 2 fact witnesses. Jan- Feb 2024.
- Bell v. American International International Industries, 627 F.Supp 3rd 627 (MDNC 2021) (Unsealing expert reliance materials in cosmetic talc litigation that undermined credibility of key plaintiff’s expert’s published article)
- Plant v. Whittaker Clark & Daniel’s (Talc trial in SC to verdict, 2-23)
- Fisher v. AII (Talc trial to verdict in Philadelphia to verdict 10-22)
- Lashley v. AII (Talc trial in NJ for 3 weeks before Covid adjournment (2-19)
- Smithfield Hog Farm trials, Eastern district of NC, both the verdict 9-17 and 1-18
Previous Professional Experience
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2019–2023)
- Name Partner, Dallas Law Firm (2003–2018)
- Partner, Dallas Law Firm (1996–2003)
- Attorney, Richmond, Virginia Law Firm (1987–1993)
Internships
- Legal Intern, Atlanta Law Firm (1986)
- Legal Intern, North Carolina Law Firm (1985)
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, JD with Honors (1987)
-
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
BS
(1984)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
- Texas
- California
- Illinois
- New York
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Practice Areas
Industries
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2025-2026)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Texas Lawyer Texas Trailblazers (2020)
- Benchmark Litigation, the Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys, Local Litigation Star (2020–2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2020–2024)
- Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Lawyer of the Year (2024)
- Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Rating
- Super Lawyers (2007–2009)
- Member, St. Monica Dads Club
- Team Dad, Bishop Lynch Girls Basketball
- Prior roles including managing partner, partner in charge of office, national coordinating counsel
Highlights from the Firm’s Insights
