Don R. Cotton is Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in personal injury trial law. Official Board Certification means that an attorney has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated and tested special competence in that area of law. This high honor has been awarded to fewer than 10% of the more than 100,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas.

Don focuses his practice on assisting accident victims and their families in personal injury and wrongful death cases as well as representing claimants in Social Security Disability and SSI cases. He has successfully settled and tried cases ranging from minor car accidents to catastrophic medical malpractice actions.

He recently won an appeal in the Texas Supreme Court in Tanner, et al. v. Nationwide Mutual First Insurance Co., which will preserve the rights of all Texans against automobile liability insurance companies who try to get out of paying valid claims.

“I know that if I have a trial victory or I negotiate a great settlement, it’s not just one of a thousand on an insurance company’s ledger. It’s the only case for my client, and it means more to them than it does to anyone else. So, I know that I can make a difference in their lives, and I can help real people – not just faceless insurance companies and corporations.”

Don earned his B.A. degree in History and Psychology from the University of Kansas, where he was a member of the KU Honors College. He received several other academic awards and scholarships and developed an undying devotion to the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.

He went on to earn his law degree, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law. While a law student, Don developed a strong interest in litigation and trial work as a member of the National Mock Trial Team and the winner of numerous mock trial and moot court competitions and awards. Don received multiple honors grades for his course work and served several prestigious internships with leading law firms in Texas.

After starting his legal career defending against medical device and medical malpractice claims, Don R. Cotton left the “dark side” and joined The Bob Richardson Law Firm in 1997, which is now  Cotton & Richardson.

“I used to work for one of the largest law firms in the United States, and when I did, I represented insurance companies. I represented corporations. But for the last twenty plus years I have had the chance to represent real people.”

Despite his Jayhawk roots, Don now considers himself a Longhorn as well. He is married to a Registered Nurse and is the proud father of two UT graduates.