Board Certified Lawyer◾Trial Consult◾Won 1St Appeal Federal Us Supreme Court◾10K Hours Before Juries
CurrentBoard Certified Lawyer I Trial Consulting I won landmark federal civil securities case before US Supreme Court as a solo, reversing the Fifth Circuit and the District Court I tried 300 trials to a verdict (1975-79) in the Dallas County DA’s Office | 500 mediations I PIABA arbitrations | trials and appeals | case evaluations | conflicts co-counsel in complex matters (civil and criminal, federal and state) | 10,000 hrs before juries | Gen’l trials and appeals and settlements. Representation of firms facing complex financial and legal issues, private investors and issuers before FINRA as well as in state and federal courts.CAREER MILESTONESWon, as a solo practitioner in the U.S. Supreme Court first civil trial firstfederal trial first appeal to the 5th Circuit and then first appeal tothe U. S. Supreme Court, reversing the District Court and 5thCircuit, in Pinter v. Dahl, 486 U.S. 622 (1988), holding that the inpari delicto (equal-fault seller) defense is available in a §12(1)action.The recorded argument of Mr. Sparks and opposing counsel before theUnited States Supreme Court may be accessed at:https://www.oyez.org/cases/1987/86-805.Fifth Circuit – reversed U.S. District Court’s reversal of investor’s award,in Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. vs. Bacon, 562 F.3d 349 (5th Cir.2009), featured in cover story in THE TEXAS LAWYER (March 16,2009) (attached).Represented former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, W. Paul Thayer inpost-conviction sentence reduction action before the U.S. Board ofPardons & Paroles, substantially reducing his incarceration (1985).Chief Felony Prosecutor, Dallas County Dist. Attorney (1977-79)Intern, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (Ft. Worth) (1972)300 civil and criminal jury trials to a verdict in state and federal court500 mediation appointments, 94% settlement rate