David McAtee

Of Counsel

David McAtee is a business litigation attorney and “of counsel” to Hedrick Kring, PLLC. David’s practice focuses on complex business litigation issues and regulatory investigations. He has pursued a vigorous litigation practice that is national and international in scope. His practice is centered largely on federal trial and appellate cases that involve the defense of major accounting firms in litigation and regulatory investigations.

David has focused on the defense of “Big Four” accounting firms, patent litigation, insurance coverage matters, federal and state antitrust actions, tender offers, lender liability claims, multidistrict and class action litigation, and securities litigation. Known for defending individual accounting professionals and accounting firms in major regulatory investigations, David has extensive experience in developing programs for antitrust compliance and in counseling, negotiations, and administrative representation in matters involving the US Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, and antitrust divisions of state attorneys general offices. In related litigation work, he has successfully defeated attempts by State Boards of Public Accountancy to stifle freedom of expression in commercial speech involving so-called prohibited terms found in many states.

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Professional Background

David has published numerous articles on the subjects of business litigation, accountant’s liability, lender liability, and financial institutions, among other topics in complex litigation fields. He is frequently invited to speak at organizations including Southern Methodist University, the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute, and the University of Houston Law School. David is also the recipient of the Texas Bar Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer Award.

Following graduation from law school, David served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jack Pope, Supreme Court of Texas. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the American Bar Association and the Bar Association for the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

David is also recognized in the Dallas community for his civic involvement and leadership.

David’s memberships in civic organizations include:

Past Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Chair, Texas Bar Foundation, 2007-2008
Past Vice Chairman, Dallas City Planning Commission for the City of Dallas
Executive Committee Member, The University of Texas Alumni Law Association, 2005-2009

Representative Experience

A member of the team that successfully represented a Fortune 500 company in stock options “backdating” litigation
A member of the team that successfully handled numerous regulatory investigations of “Big Four” accounting firms involving an array of financial reporting issues, including independence, auditing, and tax matters
A member of the team that successfully represented a corporate officer subject to an SEC investigation involving revenue recognition issues
A member of the team that successfully protected the commercial free speech rights of a professional staffing firm from government regulation
A member of the team that successfully represented defendants in various patent matters involving mobile telephone, semiconductors, and commercial wire
A member of the team that successfully represented a public utility in a securities class action and related shareholder derivative litigation
A member of the team that successfully represented RICO claims brought against a “Big Four” accounting firm by a well-known country and western recording artist

Educational Background

JD, The University of Texas School of Law, 1967
BBA, Baylor University, with honors, 1964