Brent Turman

Leveraging a background in film and television production, Brent knows how to communicate compelling arguments that tell clients stories to the jury with clarity and persuasion. He is no stranger to resolving contentious disputes and helping his clients protect their assets. Brent advocates for clients, ranging from high-net-worth individual and estates to Fortune 50 companies, in a wide variety of business and intellectual property disputes. He has represented clients in complex arbitration and litigation related to internal and external business disputes; real estate transactions; and claims of patent, copyright and trademark infringement. In addition to his trial and dispute resolution experience, Brent has served as production counsel for films produced in Texas and helps clients in the entertainment, media and sports industries navigate contracts, negotiations and business disputes. A popular speaker, Brent frequently gives trial skills presentations across the country, teaching other attorneys about the strategies and tools he has used in the courtroom. Before Brents legal career, he was an Associate Operations Producer for ESPN/ABC College Football. In addition, Brent produced commercials, industrial videos, in-arena entertainment, and music videos for clients throughout North America. He continues to use this experience to craft compelling narratives for judges, juries and arbitrators. Outside of the office, Brent produces short films and worked as a Remote Producer for the XFLs re-launch in 2020. Show More Show Less Practices Litigation Entertainment, Advertising and Media Real Estate Law Intellectual Property International Industries Sports and Entertainment Representative Experience Sports and Entertainment Secured a federal jury verdict for the estate of multi-platinum recording artist in a lawsuit against former sound engineer. Successfully fended off a request for preliminary injunction in a matter related to the music of a prominent deceased musical artist. Secured a jury verdict finding that the client was a partner in the entity that initially published the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy books and a ruling that entitled the client to more than $13.2 million in royalties, interest and attorneys fees. Obtained a $10.3 million summary judgment for an entity that loaned funds for the production of a feature film distributed by a major studio. Represented multiple university presses when approached to option film or television rights to books. Intellectual Property Disputes Played crucial role in securing a unanimous defense verdict in favor of a manufacturer of downhole sand and gas separation products in a $4.5 million patent infringement suit. As lead briefing attorney, persuaded a federal judge to quash notice of deposition for a Fortune 50 CEO and dismiss claims for trademark infringement and business disparagement. Business Disputes Secured the dismissal of all claims against a prosthodontist and his dental practice with a Chapter 27 Anti-SLAPP Motion to Dismiss. Secured the denial of an application for a temporary restraining order filed against a business intelligence consulting firm CEO. Represented, as part of a legal team, an LLC and one of its members in claims against a large, Chinese state-owned enterprise, as well as several of its subsidiaries. In pursuing the arbitration claim, the team also defended its clients in two federal proceedings in the Northern District of Texas, one federal proceeding in the Northern District of California, one proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and one appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The panel awarded the claimants more than $68 million (confirmed in 2018). Led the team that obtained multiple, favorable settlements on behalf of a campus safety and student conduct software provider against several public and private universities around the United States. Ensured that a claimant received $0 in future medical damages in arbitration involving alleged negligent supervision regarding an explosive device at the workplace. Obtained summary judgment for a large residential developer in a negligence action. Obtained summary judgment for a water park after oral argument, defeating the plaintiffs premises liability action. Noteworthy Named to the 40 & Under list in the Benchmark Litigation Guide, 2025-2026 Named to Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas List, D Magazine, 2021-2024 Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars , Thomson Reuters, 2017-2022 Named to Ones to Watch List, The Best Lawyers in America , 2021 Best Short Film, Automa Con Short Film Festival, 2018 Best Drama, Wildwood Film Festival, 2018 Best Director, Universal Film Festival, 2014 Eagle Scout Activities and Memberships Dallas Regional Chamber Leadership Dallas Class, 2023 State Bar of Texas Entertainment & Sports Law Section, Former Chair Texas State Bar College, Member Entertainment Law Institute, Planning Committee Member, 2018, 2020-2024 Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, Legal Counsel Economic Summit, Co-Chair, 2024 American Bar Association Forum on the Entertainment & Sports Law Industries Litigation Division, Member Highland Park United Methodist Church Day School Advisory Board, Former Member Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce Executive Board, Legal Counsel Texas Association of Motion Media Professionals Former President Dallas Bar Association Entertainment Art & Sports Law Section, Former Chair, 2016, 2023 Women Texas Film Festival Advisory Board, Former Member D Magazine Young Leaders Network Member Dallas Producers Association Producer Member SMU Meadows Alumni Advisory Council Member Texas UIL Young Filmmakers Festival Judge USA Film Festival Judge PublicationsWhat In-House Lawyers Can Learn from Gerri Kellman of HBOs Succession The Texas Lawbook, author; August 12, 2025.Strategies for Handling Difficult Witness Personalities, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, co-author; August 1, 2025.Senate Bill 22: 1.5 Billion Reasons to Pay Attention to the Texas Film and Television Industry, Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; August 11, 2025.Texas Business Court Expands Reach: HB 40 Lowers Thresholds and Broadens Jurisdiction, Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; June 9, 2025.Chess and Checkers: Tips for Presenting an Expert Witness at Trial, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, author; November 1, 2024.Perspectives: Where the buck might stop: Broker liability for lack of coverage on live-event COVID-19 cancellations, Business Insurance Magazine, co-author; March 4, 2022.Scarlett Johanssons Disney Lawsuit Could Change How Actors Are Paid, Backstage Magazine, quoted; August 25, 2021.Biometrics in the COVID Era Workplace: Is Your Business Compliant? D Magazine, co-author; November 19, 2020.Pandemic brings bankruptcy, big losses to these two D-FW-based movie theater chains, Dallas Morning News, quoted; November 2020.Movie theaters in jeopardy as studios move blockbusters to 2021, audiences stay home, CNBC, quoted; September 29, 2020.The Effect of COVID-19 on Existing Litigation, Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; May 20, 2020.Emerging COVID-Specific Business Interruption Litigation Issues in Texas, Bell Nunnally Client Alert, co-author; May 8, 2020.The Evolution of the Texas Anti-SLAPP Statute, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, author; April 16, 2020.Brief Intermission: A Preview of the Theater Business After COVID-19, Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; March 30, 2020.What Employers Need to Know ing Biometric Technology, Dallas Business Journal, co-author; October 2, 2019.How Changes in Texas Anti-SLAPP Statute Affect the Entertainment Industry, Entertainment Law & Finance, author; 2019.The Right to Tweet, DBA Headnotes, author; May 2019.Are Handshake Deals in the Entertainment Biz on Shaky Ground? The Texas Lawbook, co-author; October 2018.Are You in a Business Partnership and Dont Know It? Dallas Business Journal, author; June 2018.Lifting the Veil on Sponsored Social Media Influencer Posts, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes, author; March 2018.Defamation Mitigation Act Can Extend Deadlines Under the Texas Anti-SLAPP Statute, Texas Entertainment & Sports Law Newsletter; 2018.Texas Film Commission Director Chops Down Machetes Allegations, Texas Entertainment & Sports Law Newsletter; 2015.DIY Media Distribution: Eliminating the Middleman, Dallas Bar Association Headnotes; 2014.Guilds and Unions in a Right-to-Work State, Entertainment Law Institute; 2014. PresentationsWhen the Library Burns Down: From Crisis to Legal Wellness Pioneer, Lawyers Who Learn Podcast, guest speaker, February 2025.Bexar County 101 (how to try a case in San Antonio), Bell Nunnally, presenter, December 10, 2024.Anti-SLAPP Case Study: Dealing with Defamation, Business Disparagement, and Social Media, 34th Annual Entertainment Law Institute (ELI), co-presenter; November 21, 2024.Bright Lights, Big Opportunities: Best Bets in IP, Sports, and Entertainment Law, American Bar Association Forum Annual Conference, panelist; November 14, 2024.Ethics Lessons from SuitsHouston Bar Association, presenter; September 17, 2025. Birmingham Bar Association, presenter; October 31, 2024. Texas General Counsel Forum, presenter; May 14, 2024Ethics Lessons from HBOs SuccessionUT Law CLE, presenter; May 15, 2025. UT Law CLE, presenter; October 4, 2024. Southwest Association of Bank Counsel, presenter; April 25, 2024. The Texas Association of Mediators Professional Development Conference, presenter; March 15, 2024. American Bar Associations 45th Annual Conference - Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries, co-presenter; October 6, 2023. King County Bar Association; February 22, 2023. New Orleans Bar Associations Procrastinators Programs, Texas General Counsel Forum, Dallas Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, Louisville Bar Association, State Bar of Nevada, Birmingham Bar Association, Amarillo Area Bar Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, multiple law firm litigation sections across the country; 2022.Chatting Chat GPT, 33rd Annual Entertainment Law Institute, co-presenter; November 9, 2023.Astroworld Aftermath: Litigation and Its Impact on the Live Events Industry, Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas Annual Conference and Celebration, co-presenter; April 28-29, 2023.Astroworld Aftermath: Litigation and Its Impact on the Live Events Industry, Houston Bar Association Litigation Section, co-presenter; February 7, 2023.Litigation Roundtable on the Depp v. Heard Trial, Texas Bar 32nd Annual Entertainment Law Institute; November 10, 2022.Protecting Your Companys Most Important Assets, Tech FW; September 20, 2022.Astroworld Aftermath: Litigation and Its Impact on the Live Events Industry, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, Collin County Bar Association, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting and Dallas Bar Association; 2022.What Kanye West Can Teach Us About Litigation, California Lawyers Association, Louisville Bar Association, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Birmingham Bar Association, Mobile Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, Denton County Bar Association, New Mexico Trial Law Institute, New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators Program, Dallas Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, Italian American Attorney Association of Los Angeles, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, Amarillo Area Bar Association, Corpus Christi Bar Association Young Lawyers, Memphis Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, District of Columbia Bar Litigation Community, Santa Monica Bar Association, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, State Bar of Nevada Entertainment Law Section, King County Bar Association (x2), New Orleans Bar Association (x3), Multnomah Bar Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, New Orleans Bar Association, various law firm litigation sections; 2019-2022.Litigation Psychology Podcast: Inspired by Kanye, Courtroom Sciences, Inc.; April 12, 2021.Litigation Psychology Podcast: Storytelling in Litigation, Courtroom Sciences, Inc.; 2021.Litigating Partnership Disputes, King County Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association Litigation Section; 2019-2021.The Future of Theatrical Exhibition, Entertainment Law Institute; 2021.Combatting Sexual Harassment on Film Sets, Women Texas Film Festival; 2020.Legal Issues Impacting the Live Event and Entertainment Industries in the Wake of COVID-19, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Dallas Bar Association, Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association; 2020.Using Social Media Evidence at Trial, SMU Dedman School of Law, guest lecture; 2019.Litigation in the Film and Media Industries, University of Texas Arlington, guest lecture; 2019.What Kanye Can Teach us About Litigation, State Bar of Texas Podcast; 2019.The State of the Art Law in Dallas, Dallas Bar Association, legal panel; 2019.A Content Creators Guide to Staying out of the Courtroom: Defamation and Business Disparagement in Texas, Entertainment Law Institute; 2018.Obeying Terms of Use When Conducting Business on Social Media, SMU Dedman School of Law, Guest Lecture; 2018.Editing: Finding the Story and Editing Ethically, Docu Fest, Legal Panel; 2018.Legal Issues in Filmmaking, Women Texas Film Festival, Legal Panel; 2018.Top 10 Video Game Decisions: From Donkey Kong to eSports, Texas State Bar Annual Meeting; 2018.After the Handshake Deal: Proving Whats Not in Writing, Austin Bar Association: Business, Corporate, & Tax Law Section; 2018.Fifty Shades of Greed: A Case Study on Partnership by Conduct, Entertainment Law Institute, Houston Bar Association; 2016-2017.Art Law Roundtable, Arts Counsel Texas, legal panel, 2017.Success in the Screenwriting Business, The Dallas Screenwriters Association, panelist; 2017.Script to Screen: Legal Issues Relating to Filmmaking, Arts Counsel Texas Lunch & Learn; 2017.Entertainment Law Practitioners Panel, SMU Dedman School of Law SELA; 2017.The Book of Sanctions: Enforcement of NCAA Bylaws, Dallas Bar Association, legal panel; 2016.Lights, Camera, Action: Legal Issues Affecting Film Festivals, Dallas Bar Association, legal panel; 2016.Why I Learned to Love Contracts, Arts Counsel Texas Lunch & Learn; 2016. Credentials Education JD, cum laude, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 2012 BBA & BA, cum laude, Southern Methodist University, 2007 Admissions Bar Admissions Texas Court Admissions United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas