Victor Vital
Victor Vital is the Global Chair of the firm’s Trials Practice Group. Clients turn to Victor to handle high-profile and high-stakes jury trials of virtually all types. He remains dedicated to distinguishing himself as a top trial lawyer through his experience around the country and his likability and relatability to judges and juries alike. Victor’s ability to absorb complex subject matter quickly and then package and present it persuasively to diverse juries makes him suitable for virtually any high-stakes trial case in major U.S. metropolitan areas. Having tried more than 100 cases in almost three decades of practice, Victor remains ever prepared for trials in vital cases.
Victor is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, for Litigation: Trial Lawyers, 2024. Chambers reports, “Victor Vital … is a strong performer in a range of commercial disputes and also has considerable experience handling high-stakes personal injury litigation. He is recognized for his trial abilities.” (2024) Clients report to Chambers that Victor “is a team player so it is easy to work with him. He is unflappable and a good trial lawyer with a positive attitude,” and that he is “very versatile and can handle a lot of types of cases.” Because of his broad trial experience, clients and lawyers turn to Victor regardless of the subject matter when they need a trial lawyer for their important cases.
In 2014, Victor was inducted into the Texas Lawyer Verdicts Hall of Fame for securing a number one jury verdict – the largest employment verdict in Texas – for a corporate plaintiff in a complicated noncompete/trade secrets matter. He has also secured a number one verdict in the fraud category in the Texas Lawyer Top Texas Verdicts & Settlements, which also made the National Law Journal Top 100 list, with a jury verdict of over $30 million (including $16 million in punitive damages) in a partnership dispute involving claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. One of Victor’s products liability defense verdicts was listed in the Courtroom View Network’s list of Top 10 Most Impressive Defense Verdicts of 2022.
Victor is often brought onboard on the eve of trial – in the final months or even weeks leading up to trial – because of his deep trial experience. Victor’s parachute trial practice was featured in a 2020 Texas Super Lawyers cover story. Chambers USA notes, “He stands out as someone who can jump in, understand the issues, think creatively and gain trust in a short period of time.” Victor is a prolific author and invited lecturer and educator on trial issues. He also teaches trial practice techniques and provides commentary on major trials and cases in the media.
- Secured a complete defense verdict from a New York federal jury in Manhattan for a multinational manufacturer of engine, filtration, and power products against plaintiff’s breach of contract claims seeking in excess of $86 million.
- Secured a favorable verdict in a Pierce County, Washington trial for a leading home- and community-based healthcare services company against plaintiff’s wrongful death claims seeking in excess of $32 million.
- Secured a complete defense verdict from a Texas jury for a medical device company against plaintiff’s products liability claims seeking in excess of $28 million. Listed by the Courtroom View Network in its Top 10 Most Impressive Defense Verdicts of 2022.
- Secured a verdict of over $30 million (including $16 million in punitive damages) from a federal jury for two entrepreneurs on claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, conspiracy, and breach of contract against two other individuals involved in a YouTube venture. Listed as the number one verdict in the fraud category in the Texas Lawyer Top Texas Verdicts & Settlements in 2016 and also listed in the National Law Journal Top 100 list in 2016.
- Secured a multimillion-dollar verdict from a Texas jury for a health care company on claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of noncompetition covenants, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, conspiracy, and statutory theft. Included in the Texas Lawyer Verdicts Hall of Fame in 2014.
- Secured a complete defense verdict from a federal jury for a national homebuilder against plaintiff’s allegations of non-compete violations, misappropriation of trade secrets, and defamation seeking millions of dollars.
- Secured a complete defense verdict from a Texas jury for a health care company and its chairman/CEO against fraud and contract claims seeking millions of dollars while prevailing on a civil wiretapping counterclaim.
- Defended a pharmaceutical company in a patent infringement case in which the plaintiff sought in excess of $200 million and ultimately secured a jury verdict in the damages range proffered by the defense’s patent-damages expert.
- Secured a defense judgment for a national bank after a week-long bench trial of a dispute involving a borrower’s claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, deceptive trade practices, and other alleged statutory violations concerning the marketing and sale of a complex interest-rate swap.
- Secured a revocation of discharge judgment and a multimillion award for a single-purpose investment venture after a week-long bench trial of a bankruptcy adversary proceeding involving a complex fraud, claims of alter ego, and veil piercing theories.
- Prevailed in a bench trial for a high net-worth individual in a divorce matter, securing and establishing the enforceability of a post-nuptial property agreement.
- Represented an individual in a white-collar criminal matter (tax evasion) and preserved error during the jury trial of the matter, resulting in a reversal for the client by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- Secured a multimillion-dollar arbitration award for a manufacturer and developer of air purification technology on claims of misappropriation of trade secrets, trademark infringement, and breach of contract.
- Represented an entertainment client and secured a dismissal, immediately before jury selection, of a criminal charge alleging that an expensive piece of costume jewelry made for an album cover was a “prohibited weapon” and restored the forfeited jewelry to the client’s possession.
- Substituted in as counsel for a major hospital system in a trial case pending in the Rio Grande Valley less than a month before trial, overturned a multimillion death penalty sanction, and then ultimately secured a favorable settlement through use of insurance funds.
- Secured a favorable settlement for a client with the SEC; and then, through a series of pre-indictment proffer sessions, secured a declination by the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas of wire fraud and securities fraud charges.
- Secured a favorable settlement in an SEC enforcement matter arising from a municipal bond offering related to the financing and development of an entertainment and events arena in Washington state.
Some of these representations were handled by Victor prior to joining Haynes Boone.
- Member, American Law Institute
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Fellow, The Trial Law Institute
- Member, American Bar Association
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Dallas Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Board Member, Dallas Regional Chamber
- Board President, Dallas Education Foundation
- Leadership Dallas, 2014 Class
- Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, 2021-2024
- The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., 2016-2024
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, D Magazine Partners, 2023
- Texas Lawyer, ALM, Texas Trailblazers, 2020
- Franchise Times Legal Eagle, Franchise Times Corp., 2019-2020
- Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2005-2023; Rising Star, 2004-2005
- Dallas Business Journal Minority Business Leader Award, 2015
- Litigation Counsel of America Peter Perlman Service Award, 2013
Education
J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law, 1995, summa cum laude
B.S.W., Oakwood University, 1992, magna cum laude
Clerkships
Extern to the Honorable Calvin Botley, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Texas (Houston Division), 1995
Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
Haynes and Boone, LLP Global Trials Chair Victor Vital is the recipient of the 2024 Hon. Sam A. Lindsay Professionalism and Ethics Award given by the J.L. Turner Legal Association – the African American bar association of Dallas. Vital received the honor at the Annual L.A. Bedford Luncheon held at the Arts District Mansion on Thursday, Aug. 15, an event sponsored by Haynes Boone that recognizes l [...]
Global Trials Chair Victor Vital Speaks With Texas and National Media on Return to Haynes Boone
August 15, 2024
Victor Vital Joins Haynes Boone as Global Chair of Trials Practice Group
August 12, 2024