Eric Porterfield

Eric Porterfield is an Associate Professor at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law, where he joined the inaugural faculty in June 2014 after serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University School of Law. He teaches Civil Procedure, Evidence, and advanced procedural courses, and co-authored the 2017 casebook Civil Procedure in Focus.

His educational background includes a B.A. with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin (2001), double majoring in Government and German, and induction into Phi Beta Kappa and the National Golden Key Honor Society. He graduated as Valedictorian from Baylor Law School (J.D., summa cum laude, 2004) and earned an LL.M. from Harvard Law School (2013).

Professor Porterfield's research focuses on Civil Procedure, Evidence, and International Civil Litigation, with critical analyses of treaties like the Hague Service Convention and Hague Judgments Convention. His work consistently addresses procedural inefficiencies in cross-border litigation, emphasizing reforms for reciprocity, jurisdictional clarity, and practical enforcement mechanisms.

His scholarly output demonstrates deep engagement with procedural law's evolving challenges, particularly in global contexts where asymmetry and technical barriers hinder justice. This reflects his commitment to making complex litigation frameworks accessible and functional for practitioners.

Academic honors include:

• Valedictorian of Baylor Law School (2004)
• Phi Beta Kappa induction
• National Golden Key Honor Society induction
• Best Oral Advocate, 2003 NACDL Mock Trial Tournament
• Regional Champion, 2004 ATLA Mock Trial Competition
• Third Best Brief, 2002 NY Bar Association Moot Court Tournament

Professor Porterfield mentors students through advocacy coaching and professional development, drawing from extensive litigation experience at firms like Carrington Coleman and the Brown Law Firm. His career bridges academic theory and high-stakes practice, including multi-national disputes and complex product liability cases across U.S. federal and state courts.