Verified profile

Craig M. Warner

Business Trial Lawyer, Regulatory Defense, Class Actions

Craig M. Warner's profile photo
LocationDallasUnited States
Current rolePartnerDuane Morris LLP · since Jan 2024
Government service8yrsOffice of the Attorney General · U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) · U.S. Navy

About

Craig M. Warner, P.C. advises clients ranging from middle market companies to Fortune 500 corporations on how to manage active and potential litigation and investigations. He works side-by-side with clients, their executives, officers, directors and in-house counsel to formulate litigation strategies that are commensurate with the client’s overall business goals. Where appropriate, he knows how to settle cases quickly, and as an experienced trial lawyer, he can lead trial teams in both state and federal courts throughout Texas, North Carolina and the nation.

Mr. Warner has represented Fortune 500 companies, some of the nation’s largest, privately held businesses, and key Texas state agencies in the energy, financial services, insurance and consumer sectors. He also regularly represents small and midsized businesses, 501(c)(3) organizations and individuals, both before and during litigation and government investigations. His experience includes complex class action defense, multimillion-dollar construction arbitrations and real estate disputes, and financial industry litigation, as well as the direct recovery of amounts due for goods and services rendered by small and midsized vendors. 

Mr. Warner previously served as both a naval officer and assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was lead counsel for the United States in multiple jury trials that resulted in life sentences for criminal kingpins.

Mr. Warner is a 2004 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a graduate, with distinction, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Roles

Jan 2024–Present
Current role

Partner

Duane Morris LLP

Dallas, Texas

Legal Services
Jan 2018–Dec 2023
Former role

Partner

Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP

Dallas, Texas

Health LawLitigation Support SpecialistCriminal Investigation
Jan 2016–Dec 2017
Former role

Assistant Attorney General and Trial Team Leader

Office of the Attorney General, Financial Litigation Division

(appointed)Texas

InvestigationsLitigation Support Specialist
Jan 2012–Dec 2015
Former role

Associate/Senior Associate

King & Spalding LLP

Litigation Support SpecialistBusiness Development
Aug 2009–Jul 2012
Former role

Assistant U.S. Attorney

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

(appointed)District of Columbia

InvestigationsLitigation Support Specialist
Jan 2007–Dec 2008
Former role

Lieutenant/Trial Counsel

U.S. Navy, Region Legal Service Office Southwest

(appointed)

Military / Defense
Jan 2006–Dec 2006
Former role

Deputy Regimental Judge Advocate

U.S. Navy, Regimental Combat Team-6, Fallujah, Iraq

(appointed)

Military / Defense

Representative matters

Representations

March 2025

Lead counsel for Apex in their lawsuit against Legacy Service Partners on the basis of trade secret misappropriation and non-compete violations. Lead counsel for Mr. Denholm, the Chief Accounting Officer for ProPetro, Inc, in a federal securities class action case. Motion to dismiss was obtained based on the pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) and the case was later settled.

Publications & speeches

Lessons from the Wind-Up of the SEC’s First Major ‘Care Obligation’ Reg BI Enforcement Action

Texas Lawbook

September 2024

Author, "Lessons from the Wind-Up of the SEC’s First Major ‘Care Obligation’ Reg BI Enforcement Action," Texas Lawbook, September 10, 2024

Force Majeure? More Like ‘Force Ma-Payment’: Dealing with Payment Excuses in the COVID-19 Era

Commercial Factor

October 2021

Co-author, “Force Majeure? More Like ‘Force Ma-Payment’: Dealing with Payment Excuses in the COVID-19 Era," Commercial Factor, October 27, 2021

The Motion to Dismiss in Securities Class Action Practice – Fundamental Considerations for Corporate Officers and General Counsel

Bell Nunnally Client Alert

December 2020

Author, "The Motion to Dismiss in Securities Class Action Practice – Fundamental Considerations for Corporate Officers and General Counsel," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, December 21, 2020

Spotting the Red Flags: How to Protect Your Company from PPP Fraud Prosecution

Bell Nunnally Client Alert

December 2020

Author, "Spotting the Red Flags: How to Protect Your Company from PPP Fraud Prosecution," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, December 17, 2020

How to Obtain Critical Documents in a FINRA Arbitration

Bell Nunnally Client Alert

September 2020

Author, "How to Obtain Critical Documents in a FINRA Arbitration," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, September 2, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program and Civil Enforcement: The False Claims Act, SBA Compliance and the SEC

Bell Nunnally Client Webinar

May 2021

Presenter, "The Paycheck Protection Program and Civil Enforcement: The False Claims Act, SBA Compliance and the SEC," Bell Nunnally Client Webinar, June 15, 2021