Overview

Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP. is a team of trial lawyers committed to obtaining victories for our clients. This commitment has allowed the firm to gain the trust of Fortune 500 companies, small businesses and individual clients.

For the past few decades, our lawyers have secured verdicts and settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars for plaintiffs, and have saved defendants billions of dollars in trials ending in defense verdicts. Whether serving as counsel for plaintiffs or defendants, Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP. has the experience, dedication and resources to win.

Our attorneys offer a remarkable breadth of trial experience. All of the partners have tried cases to jury verdict, and the majority of the partners are board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in one or more areas of litigation (Don Jackson – Civil Trial, Personal Injury Trial; Eileen O’Neill – Civil Appellate, Civil Trial; Paul Smith – Personal Injury Trial; and Tim Lee – Civil Appellate) — a distinction few firms can match.

Practice areas include:

    Founded:
    1993
    Size:
    14
    Magnifying glass with star icon
    Practice Areas:
    14
    Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
    Best Lawyers Recognized:
    8

    Rankings

    National

    Tier
    1
    National Ranking
    Litigation - Construction
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Appellate Practice
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Energy Law
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
    Tier
    3
    National Ranking
    Litigation - Environmental

    Regional

    Houston

    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Appellate Practice
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Arbitration
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Commercial Litigation
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Energy Law
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Litigation - Construction

    Rankings

    National

    Tier
    1
    National Ranking
    Litigation - Construction
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Appellate Practice
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Energy Law
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
    Tier
    2
    National Ranking
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
    Tier
    3
    National Ranking
    Litigation - Environmental

    Regional

    Houston

    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Appellate Practice
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Arbitration
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Commercial Litigation
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Energy Law
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Litigation - Construction
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Litigation - Environmental
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Litigation - Trusts and Estates
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
    Tier
    1
    Houston
    Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
    Tier
    2
    Houston
    Litigation - Labor and Employment
    Tier
    3
    Houston
    Employment Law - Management

    Practice Areas

    Ware, Jackson, Lee, O'Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 13 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
    Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
    • Appellate Practice
    • Arbitration
    • Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Construction Law
    • Employment Law - Management
    • Energy Law
    • Litigation - Construction
    • Litigation - Environmental
    • Litigation - Labor and Employment
    • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
    • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
    • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
    • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

    Ware, Jackson, Lee, O'Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP proudly has 8 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
    Spinning circle
    {{ practiceAreaName }}
    {{ lawyer.FirstName[0] }}{{ lawyer.LastName[0] }}
    {{ lawyer.Locations[0].City }}{{lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode ? ', ' + lawyer.Locations[0].StateCode : '' }}

    Offices & Contacts

    Houston, TX
    America Tower, 39th Floor
    2929 Allen Parkway
    Houston, TX 77019
    United States
    Paul Smith
    Managing Partner
    Find the Best Law Firms
    Search for a Law Firm
    Search our directory of over 16,000 firms across the Globe.
    Search
    Is Your Law Firm Ranked?
    Enhance your firm's reputation and visibility with our marketing opportunities.
    Marketing Opportunities
    Ranked Practice Areas
    See the practice areas included in our Best Law Firms research.
    Practice Areas