Featured DBA Member
Christopher D. Kratovil, Dykema Gossett PLLC
Undergraduate/Law School:
University of Notre Dame, BA 1997; University of Texas School of Law, JD 2000
Years Practicing: I was first licensed in November 2000. So fast approaching 12 years.
What Drew You to Your Area of Practice:
Even before I was a lawyer, I loved persuasive writing: I was an op-ed columnist for my college newspaper and I used to devour anything written by talented political advocates such as William F. Buckley and Peggy Noonan. Appellate law is obviously the litigation sub-specialty in which written advocacy is of the utmost importance and so, naturally, I was drawn to it. In my first year after law school, I had the privilege of serving as a law clerk to Judge Edith H. Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and my time working for Judge Jones cemented my love of appellate law.
Most Rewarding Moment in Your Practice:
In 2005 I was part of a small team that prevailed on the merits a case in the United States Supreme Court, Ballard v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Attending the oral argument in Ballard (I obviously did not have enough gray hair to argue the case myself) and being just 12 or so feet away from the members the U.S. Supreme Court was easily the best moment of my career thus far, although receiving the opinion in that case and realizing that we had prevailed was pretty special, too.
How Have You Been Involved in the DBA?
I joined the DBA immediately on moving to Dallas in September 2001. I am also the current Chair of the Business Litigation Section.
What Do You Like Most About the DBA:
What’s not to like? The DBA is the best city bar association in the country. For me, I suppose the thing I enjoy most is going to the Belo Mansion (which is such a unique facility), hearing a great CLE presentation and catching up with friends from other firms over lunch.
What Makes You Most Proud of Being a Lawyer:
The rule of law is ultimately what separates civil society from anarchy. As a lawyer, I’m entrusted with helping to uphold and insure the rule of law. So I guess I’m most proud of my small role in helping to defend civil society and the rule of law against the temptation towards anarchy and injustice.
