Austin Thomas

Senior Counsel, Houston
713.752.4272
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Biography

Austin Thomas is a trusts and estates attorney assisting clients in Houston and beyond with all aspects of business and estate planning. Austin’s practice focuses on the preparation of wills and trusts, lifetime transfers of assets, and structuring of family businesses, as well as analysis of related tax issues. Austin’s experience includes the implementation of advanced strategies to transition ownership of family businesses and other property from one generation to the next while minimizing federal transfer taxes.

Education

B.A., Rice University

J.D., The University of Texas at Austin

  • Texas International Law Journal, Articles and Notes Editor

Bar Admissions

Texas

Professional Certifications

Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law

Austin’s practice experience includes many aspects of wealth planning and estate administration, including but not limited to

  • Estate and business succession planning
  • Planning to minimize gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer taxes
  • Preparation of wills, incapacity planning documents, and trust agreements
  • Estate and trust administration
  • Preparation and review of gift tax returns and estate tax returns

  • Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2023
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), Trusts and Estates, 2021-2024
  • Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law, 2020-present

Speaking Engagements

  • Co-presenter, “Current Opportunities and Challenges for Estate, Gift, and GST Tax Planning,” Houston Bar Association Taxation Law Section CLE (February 15, 2023)
  • Presenter, “Estate Planning 101,” Junior League of Houston Group CLE (January 24, 2023)

  • Fresh Arts, Inc., Board of Directors (2023 – present), Vice President (2024)
  • Armand Bayou Nature Center Foundation, Board of Trustees (2017 – 2023)
  • The Junior League of Houston, Active Member (2014 – 2024), Sustaining Member (2024 – present)
  • Houston Estate and Financial Forum, Member (2013 – present)
  • Houston Bar Association Probate, Trusts, and Estates Section, Member (2013 – present)
  • Houston Business and Estate Planning Council (2024 – present)

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August 17, 2023
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

JW Diversity & Inclusion 2022 Report theme

April 24, 2023
Newsletters

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – April 2023

View Jackson Walker’s April 2023 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

March 23, 2023
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2023 Texas Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 63 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2023 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.

August 18, 2022
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

JW Perspectives Newsletter 2022

April 21, 2022
Newsletters

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – April 2022

View Jackson Walker’s April 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

2022 New Partners

February 11, 2022
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Announces Largest Class of Newly Elected Partners to Date

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 14 attorneys to the Firm’s partnership on Friday, February 11, 2022. In addition to electing 14 new partners, the Firm also congratulates Bart Cicuto, Noah Speck, and Austin Thomas on their promotion from associates to senior counsel.

JW Diversity & Inclusion social image 2021

October 5, 2021
Newsletters

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – October 2021

View Jackson Walker’s October 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

August 19, 2021
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

Best Lawyers in America 2021 Edition - Jackson Walker

August 20, 2020
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 25 “Ones to Watch”

Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.

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