Juan Alcala Joins Jackson Walker, Expanding International Arbitration and Cross-Border Litigation Capabilities

July 10, 2025 | Attorney News



Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Juan M. Alcala, a highly respected trial attorney with a distinguished record in international arbitration and cross-border litigation, has joined the firm as a partner in the Trial & Appellate Litigation group in our Austin office.

Juan brings a wealth of experience representing clients in high-stakes disputes across Latin America and beyond. Juan’s practice is defined by his ability to navigate complex procedural, discovery, and jurisdictional issues that frequently arise in transnational matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Juan to Jackson Walker,” said W. Ross Forbes, Jr., partner and chair of the Trial & Appellate Litigation section. “Juan’s extensive experience in international arbitration and cross-border litigation, particularly involving Latin America, will strengthen our ability to handle the most challenging disputes, both domestically and internationally. Juan’s arrival continues our momentum of notable hires including Jeff Oldham and former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.”

“Juan’s arrival continues our momentum of notable hires including Jeff Oldham and former Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.”

Juan has managed significant matters for clients before international tribunals, foreign courts, and U.S. courts, and has a robust domestic litigation background, including substantial trial and appellate experience in high-exposure cases. His industry experience includes the energy, financial, real estate, automotive, medical device, and manufacturing sectors, and he regularly handles matters involving business torts, partnership disputes, intricate lending transactions, fiduciary duty claims, intellectual property litigation, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, and product defects.

On his decision to join the Firm, Juan said, “I am excited to join my many friends at Jackson Walker.  The firm’s unique position in a market – Texas – that plays such a crucial role in the global economy along with its strong reputation in litigation provides an ideal platform to further serve clients with interests from Texas to Latin America and around the world.”

“The firm’s unique position in a market – Texas – that plays such a crucial role in the global economy along with its strong reputation in litigation.”

In addition to his legal practice, Juan serves as an adjunct professor at Baylor Law School, where he teaches International Transactions and Disputes. He has also held leadership roles as regional president of the Hispanic National Bar Association and as chair of the International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Juan earned his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.

Meet Jackson Walker

Since Jackson Walker’s founding in 1887, our attorneys have represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Today, we remain firmly rooted in Texas while serving clients around the globe. With more than 500 attorneys, we are the largest firm in Texas and have been recognized by Law360 as a “Texas Powerhouse” and an “elite law firm” that regularly provides counsel to industry-leading clients.  Jackson Walker is a founding member of Globalaw™, a network of independent law firms located in more than 80 countries. To learn more, visit the Trial & Appellate Litigation and International practice pages.