Frank J. Stakely

Mr. Stakely joined the firm in 1987 and attained shareholder status in 1991. A member of the litigation practice group, he currently serves on the firm's management committee. He has over twenty years' experience defending a broad range of civil cases, with emphasis on professional liability, healthcare, products liability, and insurance defense. He has extensive experience defending physicians, hospitals, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in medical malpractice cases throughout the state. He has also handled other complex litigation involving personal injury and first-party bad faith claims.

Mr. Stakely has been recognized by his peers on numerous occasions for his dynamic trial skills. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, which is by invitation only and requires experience as lead counsel in numerous civil trials. He is also AV peer review rated in Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been repeatedly selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®.

Recent Practice Highlights

Obtained defense verdict in favor of internist in medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving an ICU patient who became profoundly hypotensive and died

Obtained defense verdict in favor of doctor in medical malpractice/wrongful death case involving the death of a patient with mononucleosis and rupture of the spleen

Granted judgment of a matter of law for imaging center in medical malpractice case involving the claims of a 60-year-old paraplegic patient whose bladder was perforated during attempts to fill it for an ultrasound

Obtained defense verdict in favor of cardiothoracic surgeon in medical malpractice case involving paralysis allegedly due to use of absorbable hemostat product in performing pneumonectomy procedure

Obtained defense verdict in favor of pediatrician and pediatric group in medical malpractice case involving alleged failure to make timely diagnosis of developmental hip dysplasia 

Honors and Awards

American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)

Selected for inclusion in the list of The Best Lawyers in America® (2008 - 2013)

AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Mr. Stakely is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2013).

Presentations

Mr. Stakely has also presented many lectures to professional groups on medical malpractice, risk management, loss prevention and other legal issues in healthcare.

Community Involvement

Mr. Stakely is very active in the community. He is a member of First Baptist Church, and he serves on the board for several community organizations.