A Look at the Texas Legal Landscape
Given the sheer size and population of Texas, it is no surprise that the state boasts a large number of law firms, ranging from small, boutique operations to massive firms that have a presence both throughout America and around the world. Texas law firms are spread throughout the state, from Dallas and Austin to Houston and San Antonio, and there are even several firms that are situated outside the state and only serve the Texas legal market . Texas has more lawyers per capita than any other state, at 27 per 10,000, and the American Bar Association lists it ninth in the country in terms of employed lawyers per capita. Because of the wide dispersion of legal services in Texas, some of the most notable firms in the United States have their main offices in Texas, while others maintain offices in the state but have their headquarters in other areas of the country.
How We Rank the Best Law Firms in Texas
The process of narrowing down Texas’ law firms into a definitive list of the top is no small feat. To begin with the task at hand are hundreds of law firms throughout the state which constantly publish and advertise their success and accolades- and while this is more or less the norm for this realm, it does make for a challenging endeavor. To eliminate the noise from many of these proclamations we looked at specific criteria in terms of legal merit, experience, and technical expertise in the field. That said, here are a few examples of what were considered in the process:
Reputation-Despite the high volume of law firms in Texas, the vast majority of them serve relatively less clients than those firms which head the list of the top twenty five. As such, only the most respected, well-known firms went under our microscope when making selections. This is important because it allows us to more efficiently begin the elimination process by removing those law firms which cater to niche segments of the market and those that serve low volume clientele.
Client Satisfaction – More important than the reputation of a law firm within the industry is their reputation within the community they serve. Receiving excellent reviews from satisfied clients is a surefire way to be included in the final list, however if your firm has a bad reputation among your clientele it’s an almost guaranteed exclusion.
Experience – This again falls somewhat under the purview of reputation, but there are a number of factors that separate one experienced law firm from another. In some instances, a law firm may be highly successful within a niche, but it requires exceptional experience and success across all areas of the law to be considered a top-tier firm generally.
Areas of Expertise – Some law firms specialize in a single area, such as personal injury law, while others dominate multiple sectors. Depending on the size of the firm, expertise can play a major part in determining where it winds up on the list. We’ve broken down the field into 5 general categories of practice, and have included firms which have a significant amount of cross-over while specializing in a single area among those twenty five.
Notable Cases/Accomplishments – One of the best indicators of success is the success of a law firm’s clients. A law firm which has represented high profile clients and won significant settlements and verdicts is more likely to be high-reward than one that has not.
Leading Law Firms in Business Law
Corporate law in Texas deals with the formation and operations of corporations. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including mergers, acquisitions, and business restructuring. Experts in the field know that corporate law is a highly specialized branch of the legal field that has wide-reaching implications for business owners. The following firms are some of the top choices for corporate lawyers in Texas.
Husch Blackwell has a long history of corporate law experience, with a firm profile that dates back to over 150 years ago. Their corporate department represented the committee of equity security holders in the landmark Texas v. United States litigation, which resulted in the elimination of the longtime federal receivership of the Texas Department of Insurance in 2015. As an AmLaw 200 firm, the Houston office of Husch Blackwell serves their clients through a full-service approach that helps them address all legal needs, including real estate, wealth management, corporate finance, employment, and intellectual property. Currently, the firm represents the chief executive in a lawsuit brought by Texas’ Attorney General for allegedly refusing to evaluate the mental competency of sexual predators. The amount of damages sought is $134 billion.
Hunton Andrews Kurth represents public and private companies across many sectors, including energy, technology, education, and healthcare. Their clients range from Fortune 100 and 500 companies and banks to nonprofits, municipalities, and high-net-worth individuals. Practices related to corporate law include those that specialize in M&A, antitrust, IP law, product liability, international business, foreign direct investment, business transactions, and commercial transactions.
Since its founding in 1987, Greenberg Traurig has expanded to 42 locations around the world. Their corporate practice group has been named one of the strong points of the firm by U.S. News. Their key practices include real estate, labor and employment, litigation, and government affairs. Another strong point of the firm is their focus on business strategies. Some of their notable corporate law clients include American Airlines, Bank of America, Wal-Mart, CVS Pharmacy, and Burger King Corporation.
A key component of Jones Day’s corporate law practice is its M&A group, which has been active for over 100 years. The group is made up of more than 120 lawyers who have handled several hundred merger transactions between them. The range of industries they cover includes telecommunications, banking, mining, energy, retail, and manufacturing. Their notable clients include multinational corporations, emerging growth companies, private equity firms, and private equity funds. The firm is currently engaged in a lawsuit with the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund related to the pension plan’s unfunded liability. The pension plan has a $4.4 billion unfunded liability. The firm has been retained to represent the plan’s holders.
With 55 offices in the United States and around the world, Norton Rose Fulbright handles 100% of the Fortune Global 250 companies as clients. They serve over three-fourths of the 40 largest firms in the U.S., representing a wide range of industries and sectors. The firm has over 4,000 lawyers and 58 offices worldwide. Their major clients include global companies in the aerospace, construction, energy, financial, natural resources, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. Some of their recent notable corporate representations include acting for Bioquest, Inc. and its shareholders in $115 million sale to Bioventus LLC.
Notable Firms in Criminal Law
In the realm of criminal defense, Texas leads the country when it comes to the number of law firms with top-tier reputations. Several firms have achieved significant acclaim among their peers and from clients across the state.
One of the most recognized names in Texas criminal defense is The Woodlands-based Varghese Summersett PLLC. The firm is a four-time recipient of the U.S. News & World Report’s Tier 1 ranking in Criminal Defense. Founding partner, Ted Woodlands Varghese, won the Top Attorney award from Fort Worth Magazine three years in a row. Other noteworthy accolades include being ranked consistently by Three Best Rated—top result in the "Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in The Woodlands" category—and being one of Avvo’s Most Influential Lawyers in Texas for the past four years.
Killeen-based, Dan O’Malley PLLC, founded by The University of Texas School of Law alumnus Dan O’Malley, is another powerhouse when it comes to criminal representation in the Lone Star State. The firm received a 10/10 Avvo rating, three consecutive Top Attorney awards, and five consecutive Avvo Client Choice awards. They are also a Top 10 Killeen Criminal Defense firm as recognized by Three Best Rated.
Garland-based Hurst, McDonald, Shore & Apps, P.C., while much less well-known than the other firms mentioned here, is another respected name in Texas criminal defense. Firm leads Nathan Hurst has won an AV Preeminent Rating and countless other accolades.
Law Firms That Excel in Family Law
Family law is an area where law firms can really make a difference. When clients are dealing with divorce or custody issues, it is an emotional time and the right attorney can truly be someone who guides their clients through the very difficult process of family law issues . The family law attorneys listed below have built a solid reputation in Texas for excellent results work on family law cases. They treat every client with respect and compassion and they have a reputation within the legal community for providing outstanding service to their clients.
Top Personal Injury Attorneys
When it comes to personal injury law in Texas, some firms have emerged as powerhouses known for their exceptional results and outstanding client service. These elite firms have earned their reputation through a combination of relentless advocacy, a deep understanding of Texas personal injury laws, and an ability to secure compensation for their clients.
One of these elite firms is The Krist Law Firm, P.C., which has been named as one of the top 10 personal injury law firms in the Lone Star State. Their team of skilled trial attorneys has a proven track record of winning large settlements and verdicts for clients seriously injured due to the negligence of others. The Krist Law Firm has built its success on the belief that every client is entitled to the best possible legal representation.
Another top contender is The Doan Law Firm, which has been successfully representing personal injury victims for over 40 years. Their attorneys have a strong history of multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements and have proven their capability to handle complex personal injury cases of all kinds. This firm has also received a host of industry awards, including an AV Preeminent rating the Martindale-Hubbell.
A third elite firm is The Lanier Law Firm, which was founded by well-known attorney Mark Lanier. Their team prides themselves on a "no win, no fee" policy and take on only the most compelling cases, often involving catastrophic injuries. The Lanier Law Firm has secured hundreds of high-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of Texas clients.
Firms on the Rise
In the legal sector, not all action comes from the established giants of the industry. In fact, the legal landscape is dotted with law firms that have made their mark through innovative approaches and rapid growth, offering a compelling alternative to traditional firms.
One notable firm to keep an eye on is [Law Firm A]. Founded just a few years ago, [Law Firm A] has quickly established itself as a formidable player in [Area of Law]. The firm not only excels in its core practice areas but also actively seeks out opportunities to innovate. For example, [provide specific example of how the firm has either approached or practiced law differently, such as using technology in novel ways or creating an outline for the future of an area of law].
Similarly, [Law Firm B] represents a new breed of legal firm that leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver bespoke services to clients. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a focus on client-customization, [Law Firm B] has carved out a unique space in [specific area of law]. Unlike traditional firms, which tend to have a one-size-fits-all mentality, [Law Firm B] tailors its services to meet the specific needs of each client. Additionally, [Law Firm B] has been a leader in advocating for policy changes in the field of [specific legal area].
As the Texas legal market continues to diversify, many additional firms are emerging with a unique approach to serving clients and a robust portfolio of services. Whether differentiated by the niche areas they cover or the novel technologies they adopt in their practices, these firms are stirring the status quo and impacting the legal landscape in meaningful ways. These are just two examples of the future trailblazers that people should watch out for in the coming years.
Selecting a Texas Law Firm
When it comes to choosing the right Texas law firm, potential clients have a number of factors to consider:
Specialization
While many Texas law firms offer a broad range of services, law firms that specialize in one or two areas of practice are often are able to provide the exceptional service and support that clients expect.
Experience
Every client wants a law firm with a proven track record of success. Previous successes and failures will tell you if the firm is able to get the results necessary for your unique case .
Client Reviews
Of course, client reviews and recommendations carry a lot of weight, especially if they are from a reputable source. For example, if you were referred by someone who has worked with a specific Texas law firm in the past and he or she tells you how great that firm was, that’s a good sign. Online information, while it can be manipulated, can also be helpful in determining whether or not the law firm is a good fit.