Business Details
28 Years
experience
Trusted Civil Litigation Attorneys in Austin
Established in 1998, Hanna & Plaut specializes in civil litigation with a focus on insurance coverage, bad faith, workers' compensation, and appellate law. Our firm was founded by David L. Plaut and Catherine L. Hanna, who combined their elite legal training with the personalized service of a small firm to create a unique practice model. We emphasize early analysis and collaborative litigation strategies while maintaining a commitment to responsiveness and client communication. Our attorneys hold extensive experience in state and federal courts across Texas, including the Fifth Circuit and Texas Supreme Court. With over 25 years of dedicated service to insurance carriers in complex disputes, we provide both courtroom tenacity and proactive counseling.Our practice extends to declaratory judgment actions, coverage opinions, and administrative hearings, supported by a proven track record in complex litigation matters. As a woman-led firm with a commitment to diversity, we maintain rigorous standards for attorney credentials and professional development. Our goal has always been to deliver the high-quality legal work of large firms with the agility and personal attention of a boutique practice. We achieve this through regular client collaboration, efficient case evaluation, and tailored litigation strategies designed for each client's specific needs. This approach has earned us recognition through AV Martindale-Hubbell ratings and inclusion in the Best's Directory of Insurance Attorneys.
Services
Appellate Law
Insurance Coverage
Insurance Bad Faith
Insurance Defense
Workers Compensation
Client Counseling
Declaratory Judgment
Administrative Hearings
Coverage Opinions
Litigation Strategy
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have 25+ years of dedicated experience in insurance bad faith litigation
- Our attorneys hold AV Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings
- We maintain direct, responsive communication with litigation teams throughout cases
- Our collaborative approach combines early case analysis with strategic advocacy
- We provide specialized seminars and training for insurance professionals
Associations and certifications
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Bests Directory of Insurance Attorneys
What people say
Recognized expertise
Responsive service
Effective advocacy
Strategic approach
Trusted legal counsel
Services
Appellate Law
Our appellate practice handles cases in Texas state and federal courts, including the Fifth Circuit and Texas Supreme Court. Attorneys with clerkship experience and extensive research capabilities develop strategic arguments for mandamus actions and post-verdict appeals. We focus on protecting client interests during complex appellate proceedings while maintaining cost-effective representation.
Insurance Coverage
We provide comprehensive coverage advice for insurance carriers at every litigation stage. Our practice includes declaratory judgment actions regarding duty to defend and indemnity issues. We deliver rapid coverage opinions and offer flat fee services while drawing on decades of experience with complex coverage disputes between insurers and policyholders.
Insurance Bad Faith
With over 25 years of dedicated practice, we defend insurance carriers in first-party bad faith cases involving personal and commercial lines. Our approach combines early case evaluation with collaborative strategies to address statutory violations and claims handling disputes while providing regular client updates throughout litigation processes.
Workers Compensation
We represent insurance carriers in workers' compensation disputes before Texas administrative agencies and state courts. Led by a Board Certified specialist, our attorneys defend benefit review conferences and contested case hearings across Texas while offering specialized knowledge of state-specific claims processes and regulatory requirements.
Client Counseling
Our counseling services include policy drafting guidance, regulatory compliance advice, and Texas-specific legal culture insights. We supplement direct consultation with in-house seminars on coverage issues and claims handling while leveraging decades of experience representing major national insurance companies across various practice areas.
People
Catherine L. Hanna
Co-Founder
Stanford Law graduate with elite firm experience. Serves on insurance coverage and appellate matters. Recognized through Texas Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell ratings. Focuses on combining high-quality legal work with responsive client service.
David L. Plaut
Co-Founder
University of Texas Law graduate with elite firm background. Handles insurance litigation and appellate work. Recognized through Texas Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell ratings. Emphasizes personalized service while maintaining rigorous legal standards.
Robert F. Josey
Board Certified Specialist
Leads workers' compensation practice section. Board Certified in Workers Compensation by Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Handles administrative disputes and court proceedings throughout Texas' regulatory framework.
Questions
What areas of law does Hanna & Plaut specialize in?
We focus on insurance coverage, bad faith litigation, workers' compensation defense, appellate law, and insurance defense matters across Texas.
How long has your firm been practicing insurance law?
Our attorneys have represented insurance carriers in complex disputes for over 25 years since the firm's 1998 founding.
Do you handle cases outside Texas?
We primarily handle Texas-based cases but frequently represent clients in federal courts including the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
What sets your firm apart from other insurance law practices?
We combine big firm experience with small firm responsiveness while maintaining AV Martindale-Hubbell peer review ratings.
Can you assist with insurance policy drafting concerns?
Yes, our client counseling includes policy drafting guidance and Texas-specific regulatory compliance advice through seminars and direct consultation.
How do you approach workers' compensation defense cases?
We defend workers' compensation claims through administrative hearings and court proceedings with certified specialists handling all stages of litigation.
