Brown McCarroll Attorneys at Law

The origin of Brown McCarroll, L.L.P. dates back to the early 1900’s when James H. Hart and John M. Patterson founded the firm Hart & Patterson. They defended a variety of central Texas clients and businesses in matters ranging from civil to criminal suits, and at the trial and appellate levels. Each attorney was known for adhering to a high standard of legal excellence and well-respected in the legal community. This founding principle is still part of our mission today, some 100 years later.

Officially Founded in 1938

Jay H. Brown joined the firm in 1931 after graduating from the University of Texas School of Law. In just four short years, the firm’s founders added Brown as a name partner, and in 1938 they renamed the firm Hart & Brown to reflect additional changes at the firm. This began the “modern-era” of our firm, and is commonly recognized as the year our firm was founded.

Setting the Standard

In 1948, James P. Hart was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court.  He served a six-year term, resigning from the Court in 1950 to become the University of Texas’s first Chancellor.  Another famous firm alumnus, Frank C. Erwin, joined the firm in 1948 and practiced with the firm for 23 years. He was eventually appointed to the University of Texas Board of Regents, a post he held from 1963 until 1975.

By the late 1950’s, Brown had been practicing for over 20 years and earned the reputation as one of the state’s finest litigators. Outside his practice, he worked just as hard to create an environment in which people could excel if they were committed to do so. Through Brown’s efforts and guidance, the firm’s culture took root.

Over the years, Brown assembled a team of some of the best attorneys in Texas.  He organized daily meetings over coffee to provide the attorneys an opportunity to learn from each other and build camaraderie. And he expected everyone to attend. He had extremely high standards for himself as well as others and was a powerful influence on the attorneys who worked with him.

Establishing Core Practice Areas

In the early years, attorneys at the firm were “generalists,” as the concept of practice specialties had not yet been developed. As the firm moved toward more focused practice areas, litigation, real estate, business law and environmental law emerged as core practices. When Dick McCarroll joined the firm, his track record as a successful defense attorney brought the firm a significant increase in sophisticated litigation.

Expansion

By 1989, Brown McCarroll expanded into both the Dallas and Houston markets by merging with White, Cox and Larson in Dallas, and Oaks Hartline and Honey in Houston and went by Brown McCarroll & Oaks Hartline. In 2001, the firm shortened its name to Brown McCarroll. 

In October of 2003, Brown McCarroll and Hilgers & Watkins, PC merged.  Hilgers & Watkins, founded in 1977, brought 30 additional highly regarded and skilled litigators and health care attorneys.

The firm has further expanded its practice areas to include electricity, estate planning, family law, governmental and legislative affairs and additional concentrations within the areas of litigation and business law.

Our People

What makes Brown McCarroll successful is its people. Hard work and dedication have helped the firm grow and evolve, even in challenging times. Our enthusiasm for our work, clients and each other is why our clients choose to work with attorneys at Brown McCarroll.