About
Bret Thurman is a Dallas based legal writer who previously practiced law in Texas for more than twenty years. His writing focuses on making complex legal rules understandable for busy lawyers and for readers who are not lawyers, especially in areas like criminal defense, family law, consumer bankruptcy and personal injury.
As the primary legal blog writer for Case Crafter, Bret draws on his experience with real cases and courtrooms to explain how procedure, evidence and strategy work in practice. He focuses on topics such as trial preparation, courtroom presentation, digital evidence and timelines, helping readers connect legal doctrine to the day-to-day work of building and trying cases.
Expertise
Civil and criminal procedure
Bret has deep familiarity with how procedural rules shape real cases, from pleadings and motions to hearings and appeals. His recent work includes analysis of the Supreme Court’s decision to reconsider the separate sovereignties exception to the Double Jeopardy Clause, where he traces the doctrine from its historical roots to its modern application.
Consumer and insurance disputes
He has written practical guides aimed at consumers and small claimants, including a series of posts on small claims and justice court practice, subpoenas, and evidentiary strategy in disputes with home warranty companies. Those articles walk readers through service of process, pleadings, hearings and the use of subpoenas in streamlined court systems.
Complex litigation and emerging risks
For HB Litigation Conferences, Bret covers emerging litigation risks and mass tort style events. His recent work includes an in-depth article on lawsuits arising from the 2025 California wildfires, discussing claims against utilities, landlords and insurers, and examining theories such as negligence, inverse condemnation and public nuisance.
Plain language legal writing
Across all his work, Bret focuses on clear, practical explanations. He uses concrete examples, step by step breakdowns and structured headings so that trial lawyers, in house teams and legal staff can quickly understand the implications of new decisions, emerging litigation trends and procedural rules for their own cases.
Professional Journey
Bret earned his B.A. in History from Baylor University and his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. He then built a legal career in Texas over more than two decades, working on matters that included criminal defense, family law, consumer bankruptcy and personal injury.
Over time he shifted his focus toward legal writing and education. As a contributor to HB Litigation Conferences, he has authored articles on Supreme Court criminal procedure, climate related litigation and other complex topics for an audience of litigators and insurance recovery lawyers.
Today, as legal blog writer for Case Crafter, Bret brings together his background in law and his experience as a legal writer to produce articles on trial practice, courtroom technology, timelines and evidence management. He works closely with the Case Crafter team and attorney reviewers to ensure that each article is accurate, practical and aligned with how modern litigators prepare and try cases.
Bret is also an award-winning screenwriter. His scripts have won awards for best screenplay (Switzerland 2025), best twist screenplay (Austin 2025), and best author (Switzerland 2025).
Notable Highlights
- Dallas based legal writer and former Texas attorney with more than twenty years of prior law practice, focusing on criminal defense, family law, consumer bankruptcy and personal injury.
- Author of in-depth articles for HB Litigation Conferences on topics such as the Supreme Court’s double jeopardy doctrine and litigation arising from the 2025 California wildfires.
- Contributor to consumer-focused guides on small claims and justice court practice, including subpoena use, service of process and hearing preparation in disputes with home warranty companies.
- B.A. in History from Baylor University and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
- Award-winning scripts include The Unwanted and UnChristmas in Bethlehem.
