Biography
On behalf of the entire Jackson Walker family, we express our sadness at the passing of our colleague Donald W. Griffis. We send our most sincere condolences to his family.
Donald W. Griffis served Jackson Walker and his clients in trial and appellate litigation, will and trusts litigation, and general business litigation. Don’s extensive litigation experience included practicing for more than 40 years in West Texas and, prior to that, serving as a law clerk to Honorable Joe E. Estes, United States District Judge, in Dallas. Before going to work for Judge Estes, he served for three years on active duty as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam as both a Staff Legal Officer and as an Infantry Officer and then was assigned to teach military law at the Marine Corps Basic School, Quantico, Virginia.
Education
B.A., with honors, University of the South
LL.B., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1967
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States District Court for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
With extensive personal injury and commercial litigation experience, Don appeared in a variety of state and federal courts. His primary areas of interest included personal injury defense, wills and trusts litigation, and general business litigation.
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2018
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.)
- Lawyer of the Year, 2015
- Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2007-2010
- Commercial Litigation, 2007-2019
- Litigation – Labor & Employment, 2012-2019
- Arbitration, 2012-2019
- Mediation, 2012-2019
- Jefferson Award, San Angelo Standard-Times, 2009
- Citizen of the Year, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce
- Civic Leader of the Year Award
- San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, Past President
- Boy Scouts of America for 20 years, Troop I Scoutmaster
- Boy Scouts of America – Concho Valley Council, Past President
- San Angelo YMCA – Director and Past President
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley, Past President
- Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Senior Vestryman
- San Angelo City Council (1976 – 1979 and 1980 – 1983)
- University of the South – Sewanee, TN, Trustee
- University of the South Athletic Hall of Fame, Inductee
- Author, Eagle Days, A Marine Legal/Infantry Officer in Vietnam
- American College of Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
- Texas Bar Association – Tom Green County Bar Association
- District 15A-2 Grievance Committee, Past Chairman
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
January 18, 2019
Attorney NewsA Tribute to Don Griffis: Celebrating 50 Years of Dedication to the Legal Profession and Service to the San Angelo Community
For nearly two decades, including time as Managing Partner of the San Angelo office and as Chair of the San Angelo Litigation Practice Group, Don Griffis served the Jackson Walker Leadership Team and the San Angelo office with dedication, compassion, and a strong dose of professionalism topped with a unique laugh and a donnish sense of humor.
September 29, 2016
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 Attorneys Added to 2016 “Texas Super Lawyers” List
Jackson Walker congratulates the 54 attorneys who were included in the 2016 “Texas Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters.
September 8, 2015
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 51 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty-one Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2015 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
September 5, 2014
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 51 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty-one Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2014 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
August 18, 2014
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its Best Lawyers in America 2015
Eighty-two Jackson Walker attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
September 6, 2013
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 55 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty-five Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2013 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
September 10, 2012
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 50 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Fifty Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2012 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.
August 29, 2012
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its Best Lawyers in America 2013
Seventy-two Jackson Walker attorneys were selected for inclusion in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
September 13, 2011
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its Best Lawyers in America 2012
Sixty-seven Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as Best Lawyers in America 2012.
September 12, 2011
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 46 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’
Forty-six Jackson Walker attorneys were selected as 2011 “Super Lawyers” by Thomson Reuters. The list will be published in the October issue of Texas Monthly magazine.