Before becoming a full-time mediator in 2023, Rob Hargett tried lawsuits for more than 35 years. During that time, he represented a variety of healthcare providers including hospitals, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, and nursing homes. Rob also defended individuals, businesses, and governmental entities in personal injury lawsuits, commercial disputes, and employment litigation. In addition, he helped clients protect their licenses and professional reputations before state administrative agencies. Throughout his career, Rob handled many high-profile cases and secured favorable rulings for his clients in matters involving professional malpractice, negligent credentialing, wrongful death, and premises liability. In 2016, he began meditating. Rob is a trained mediator qualified to mediate any type of dispute with well over 300 mediations to his credit.
Rob received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1987, and a B.B.A. (cum laude) in 1984, also from U.T. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters service, as published in Texas Monthly and Law & Politics magazines (2005-2011). Rob is an Associate in the American Board of Trial Advocates, a highly respected organization of trial attorneys.
Outside of Reed Claymon, Rob teaches trial skills at the University of Texas Law School. He maintains an active community presence, having served as a member and president of his local school board.
- Trustee, Eanes Independent School District (2011-2017; 2019; President 2013-2015)
- Member, Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church
- Ombudsman, University of Texas at Austin (1985-1987)
- Obtained summary judgment for ten hospital-related clients in a multi-million dollar credentialing case filed in federal court that ended with the United States Supreme Court denying the adverse parties’ Petition for Writ of Certiorari
- Tried to a complete defense verdict numerous healthcare liability suits involving cardiology, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurological surgery, emergency medicine, oncology, obstetrical/ gynecological care and governmental liability issues
- Tried a non-subscriber suit to a complete defense verdict
- Tried an emergency ambulance response case to a complete defense verdict
- Tried a premises liability suit filed against a business owner to a complete defense verdict
- Obtained summary judgment for a hospital in a claim brought by a prisoner under 42 U.S.C. §1983
- Resolved a multitude of cases for healthcare providers involving birth trauma, suicide, patient falls and alleged wrongful death in a nursing home setting
- Negotiated a physician’s continued licensure before the Texas Medical Board (TMB) and served as physician counsel on numerous TMB proceedings
- Represented nurses before the Texas Board of Nursing
- Negotiated an overtime claim filed by numerous agency nurses with the U.S. Department of Labor
- Participated in multiple oral arguments before various state appellate courts
- State Bar of Texas (admitted 1987)
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Northern, Western and Southern Districts of Texas
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates
- Member, Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Member, Austin Bar Association
- Adjunct Professor – Trial Advocacy Program, School of Law, The University of Texas at Austin (2006-Present)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
- Mediator (40-Hour Basic Mediation Course)
- Advanced Mediator (30-Hour Family Mediation Course)
- University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1987)
- University of Texas (B.B.A., with honors, 1984)
- “Super Lawyer,” in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice, Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazines (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- “Super Lawyer,” in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice, Corporate Counsel Edition of Law & Politics Magazine (2009, 2010)
- “Super Lawyer,” in Personal Injury Defense: Medical Malpractice, Business Edition of Law & Politics Magazine (2011, 2012)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating