Honorable Judge David Kelton
Dallas, Texas
David Kelton, a proud native Texan and life-long resident of Dallas, served the people of Texas and Dallas County as a judicial officer from March 1998 through December 31, 2006. His strength of character and life's philosophy were established through the guidance of his parents, Philip and Dolly Kelton, and through the lessons learned over 25 years of trying cases throughout the State of Texas.
Philip Kelton was a founding partner of the Dallas law firm, Strasburger & Price. David's love of law and legal instincts were inspired by his father's life long mentoring. Dolly Kelton was a teacher at the Hockaday School and counselor at Camp Waldemar. David's brother, Philip Kelton Jr., is a distinguished surgeon at Baylor University Medical Center.
David is married to his lovely wife, Ruth, has two sons, Bryan and Matthew, and a granddaughter, Finley. Ruth is an accomplished businesswoman who runs her own association management firm. Bryan is the owner of a local advertising agency. Matthew is a Junior at Texas Tech University, and is interested in pursuing a career in sociology and psychology. And Finley is a vibrant toddler that keeps Grandpa on his toes.
David Kelton is committed to the community in ways that go beyond his judicial service. He has served on the board of directors of the Downtown Dallas YMCA and has been a “Y” volunteer for 30+ years. David has discovered a passion for the Arts through his acting in shows at Duncanville, Frisco, Mesquite and Richardson community theatres over the past 11 years. He formerly served on the board of directors for the Richardson Community Theatre.
Non-Subscriber Experience
Arbitrator in disputes involving non-subscriber workers compensation, complex commercial litigation, personal injury, contract disputes, deceptive trade practice, consumer fraud and residential and commercial property defect cases.
Mediations of non-subscriber workers compensation, commercial and residential construction defect cases, dram shop cases, legal malpractice, personal injury, contract interpretation, collections, deceptive trade practice, fraud, employment disputes and intellectual property cases.
Education + -
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Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution – University of Texas School of Law – Austin, TX
Certification: Mediator / 3rd Party Neutral pursuant to Chapter 154, Civil Practices and Remedies Code ) 2006 -
University of Texas School of Law – Austin, Texas
Juris Doctor 1969 to 1972 -
University of Colorado – Boulder, Colorado
B.A. English / History 1964 to 1968
Experience + -
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Arbitrator
2007 to Present -
Mediator
2007 to Present -
44th Judicial District Court – Dallas County, Texas
Judge 2002 to 2006 -
Civil District Court Master
Associate Judge 1998 to 2002 -
David Kelton, Attorney at Law, PC
Solo Practice 1980 to 1998 -
Johnson Shanklin Billings Kelton & Porter
1975 to 1979 -
Vial Hamilton Koch Knox Tubb and Stradley
Associate 1972 to 1975
Memberships & Affiliations + -
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American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
Former Member - William 'Mac' Taylor Inn of Court
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Texas Bar Association
- United States District Courts - Northern District of Texas
- Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Delta Tau Chapter)
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Texas Army National Guard
1968-1974 -
Dallas Young Lawyers Foundation
Founding Member -
Downtown Dallas YMCA: Voice of the Dallas YMCA, Turkey Trot, Community Service Programs
Volunteer 40 years -
Dallas County Community College District (El Centro Campus)
Former instructor -
Dallas YMCA Board of Directors
Former member -
Richardson Theater Center Board of Directors
Former member -
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program
Participating Judge -
Texas High School Mock Trial Program
Participating Judge
Honors & Awards + -
- AV® Preeminent™ Attorney Peer Rating - Martindale- Hubbell