Parker, James F.

Principal
(512) 322-5878

For more than two decades, James has represented clients in complex litigation and appeals that affect not just the parties, but have broad public consequences.

As an experienced litigator, James listens closely to his clients in order to quickly learn the details of their businesses, disputes, and needs. But it’s not enough that he knows the details—he has to explain those details in terms the judge and jury will understand.  At the same time, James’ clients trust him to translate the litigation process into recommendations on which they can act.  James has been his clients’ explainer/translator in courts across the country.

But James does not focus solely on the courthouse, James recognizes that a client's needs are often best pursued through negotiation, conciliation, and mediation. So James' early involvement will often result in litigation not being undertaken at all.

And when litigation can't be avoided, James recognizes that litigation is often decided before suit is filed. Accordingly, James and his team often get involved in a dispute at the earliest possible time. When that happens, James and his team can identify potential witnesses, develop possible claims against the opposing party, and identify the most favorable venue in which to bring suit. With early involvement of a trusted litigator, a party can ensure that it can enter litigation in the best possible location and on the best possible footing.

When litigation is necessary, James has the experience to take the case from its very beginning to its ultimate conclusion. James and his team have tried numerous cases to judges and juries, obtaining favorable outcomes from both. In addition, James has argued cases in the state and federal appeals courts, obtaining favorable decisions for clients at the appellate level.

  • Admitted to State Bar of Texas (2000)
  • J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (2000)
  • B.A., Government, The University of Texas at Austin (1997)
  • Represents clients in litigation over complicated water conveyances and property rights for river authorities, groundwater conservation districts, and municipal water districts
  • Represents clients in litigation and administrative proceedings involving contracts, permitting, and federal civil rights claims for cities and other governmental entities
  • Represents clients in contract and tort claims, including allegations of fraud and misrepresentation, tortious interference with a contract, and personal injury in cases involving private industries –from electric utilities to oil & gas to telecommunications to specialized manufacturing
  • Represents public and private employers in employment litigation and pre-litigation administrative proceedings, including wage-hour disputes, discrimination and harassment claims, enforcement of covenants not compete, and ERISA actions
Representative Judgments
  • B v. Steak N Shake Operations, No. 380-02686-2012 (380th Dist. Ct., Collin County, Tex. July 20, 2012). (obtained defense summary judgment on allegations of workplace harassment and assault).
  • Verizon Employee Benefits Committee v. Felton, Civil Action No. 3:05-CV-0971-P in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas (obtained summary judgment for the pension plan in ERISA overpayment recovery case)
  • FedEx National LTL, Inc. v. Smith Protective Services, Inc., Cause No. 08-13718 in the District Court for the 95th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas (obtained judgment in favor of plaintiff on breach of security contract claim)
Representative Appellate Cases
  • San Jacinto River Auth. v. Ackley, --- S.W.3d ---, 2024 Tex. App. LEXIS 7419 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Oct. 17, 2024) (holding SJRA did not take downstream property when it passed floodwaters through Lake Conroe Dam during Hurricane Harvey).
  • Chambers-Liberty Counties Navigation District v. State, 575 S.W.3d 339 (Tex. 2019)
  • W. Travis Cty. Pub. Util. Agency v. Travis Cty. Mun. Util. Dist. No. 12, 537 S.W.3d 549 (Tex. App.—Austin 2017, pet. denied)
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Admitted to U.S. District Courts for Western, Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit
As a lifelong fan of the Texas Rangers, James has grown accustomed to disappointment and melancholy.  Fortunately, he finds solace in his family:  children Max and Sydney along with his wife, Christine (even though she is a Yankee fan). To distract him from his baseball disappointments, James enjoys developing new recipes in the kitchen and experimenting with his smoker.

Sign Up for Newsletter Updates


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact