Ware Jackson’s attorney Kiara Gradney was appointed Houston Independent Police Oversight Board (IPOB) Panel D Chair and to the Administrative Disciplinary Committee (ADC) by the Houston City Council. IPOB reviews any internal investigations of possible misconduct by HPD employees. As a new member to ADC, Kiara is responsible for reviewing investigations containing sustained allegations and making a disciplinary recommendation to the Chief of Police. Kiara has been a IPOB board member since February of 2020. She accepted the Houston City Council’s panel chair appointment to increase her community involvement, service, and leadership. You can also read more about Kiara’s new position here.

Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP is proud to announce recognition in the U.S. News and World Report and Best Lawyers 2022 list of “Best Law Firms”. This ranking recognizes law firms for professional excellence with consistently good reviews from clients and peers. Achieving this status signifies the quality of law practice and range of legal expertise. “Firms that received a tier designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients from the same communities and practice areas.”

Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP is proud to announce our lawyers that have been recognized by Thomson Reuters as Texas Super Lawyers in 2021 with Tim Lee on the top 100 list! The lists are compiled by using a multi-phase selection process based on peer recognition and professional achievement. This year’s Super Lawyer honorees includeDon Jackson, Tim Lee, Eileen O’Neill, Paul Smith, Dennis Barrow and Knox Nunnally, and only 5% of attorneys in Texas are selected.

Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP is pleased to announce that seven of its lawyers have been included in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

Best Lawyers has published their list for over three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and since then has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries.

Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to make sure they are in current practice and in good standing.

Recognized Attorneys – Best Lawyers in America:

• Don Jackson – Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Environmental, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs
• Timothy Lee – Appellate Practice
• Eileen O’Neill – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Employment Law – Management
• Paul Smith – Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Dennis Barrow -Litigation – Construction
• Wesley A. Jackson – Commercial Litigation
• Knox Nunnally – Commercial Litigation

The Ones to Watch list recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice.

Recognized Attorneys – Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

• Avery Sheppard – Commercial Litigation, Construction Litigation, Oil and Gas Litigation
• Kiara Gradney – Commercial Civil Litigation, Collections, Oil and Gas, Construction Law, Contract Disputes, Criminal Defense

Congratulations to Ware Jackson associate, Kiara Gradney, who was elected to the Houston Young Lawyers Association Board as a Director for 2021-2022.

HYLA is a dynamic young professionals’ organization and specialty bar association. HYLA provides opportunities that are specific to the needs of young and new lawyers and law students. HYLA’s mission is to: learn, lead, network, and serve.

Kiara is a servant leader and advocate for the advancement of community. Kiara is an Associate at Ware Jackson and a former prosecutor. She serves as co-chair of the HYLA First Generation Attorneys Committee and was a CLE Committee member. In those roles, Kiara spearheaded events including, “Getting on Track for Success” and “Back to the Basics.” Outside HYLA, Kiara has shown her commitment to the community by serving on the Houston Independent Police Oversight Board. Kiara supports HYLA’s mission of community leadership and meaningful service, and will continue to bring government, non-profit, and first-generation attorneys into the HYLA family.

Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP is pleased to announce that three of its lawyers have been recognized as 2021 Texas Rising Stars by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication. Less than 2.5% of Texas attorneys are selected for this honor, which is based on peer nomination, independent research, and peer evaluation. This year’s Super Lawyers – Rising Star honorees include Tyler Henkel, Michelle R. Meriam Blair, and Avery Sheppard.

Ware Jackson Partner, Wes Jackson, gave a presentation regarding the January 2021 changes to the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.  You can view the summary documents via the links below.

2021 TRCP Redlines

TRCP 2021 Update