Our Story

Gray & Becker, P.C., began on April 1, 1983. Richard E. Gray, III was Executive Assistant to then-Attorney General Mark White, overseeing all litigation in that office. Prior to his two-year tenure as Executive Assistant to the Attorney General, he was with Butler Binion, a Houston, Texas, law firm. Douglas M. Becker was Chief of the Law Enforcement Division of the Attorney General’s office. Both Rick Gray and Doug Becker had been in charge of some of the most important litigation in the Texas Attorney General’s Office.

Doug Becker, for example, had briefed and argued four cases in the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the State of Texas. Rick Gray had engaged in important environmental and other significant, politically sensitive litigation, such as redistricting and cases involving removal of public officials.

Early History

Armed with contracts from several large state agencies, including the Texas Department of Corrections, all approved by new Attorney General Jim Mattox, the firm’s early days focused upon government litigation and constitutional law. For example, in the Ruiz v. Estelle massive prison litigation, Becker argued the State’s direct appeal with Attorney General Mark White in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and subsequently Gray served as lead counsel for the State of Texas in post-appeal remediation efforts. Together they guided the State successfully through very turbulent waters to alleviate the unconstitutional conditions that the judicial system declared.

As a result of such activities, in its early years the law firm led the state in outside law firms’ revenues for representing state agencies.

Through the Texas Municipal League and the Texas Association of Counties, Gray & Becker supplemented its state work with defense in all kinds of litigation representing Texas counties and municipalities and other government entities. Gradually the law firm became more active in other areas of litigation, especially commercial litigation. As the work expanded, so did the firm: The firm moved twice in its first six years, and in 1989, it purchased a historic house built in 1885 at 900 West Avenue, its current location.

In recent years, the firm has once again expanded its areas of practice. Presently, family law matters now comprise a substantial portion of its practice. The firm also is immersed in complex commercial litigation, contractual and governmental litigation, and employment law. As in all areas of law in which the firm has practiced, its reputation for excellence has been its recipe for success and the source of most of its business.

A Firm Built On The Cornerstones Of Experience And Reputation

The lawyers’ record of courtroom success is proof of their passion for the law and drive to succeed. The attorneys are experienced in their practice areas capable of providing clients with strategic guidance in complicated legal matters. Collectively, the firm’s lawyers have tried hundreds of cases in federal and state court. As a result of this experience, the firm is known throughout Central Texas for its commitment to high-quality, cost-effective representation.

The firm’s outstanding reputation is primarily based on its litigation record, but the attorneys have also experienced considerable success at the negotiation table. While the team is always prepared to take a case to trial, they never forget their commitment to provide their clients with cost-effective legal services.

Honors

The firm has been honored as follows by Best Lawyers, a Woodward White, Inc., publication, in partnership with U.S. News & World Report: