Frederick Sultan
Practice Areas
Biography
Fred Sultan represents clients in Texas and nationwide in commercial litigation disputes, particularly involving eminent domain and condemnation matters.
Additionally, his practice experience includes litigation, mediation, arbitration, and appeals of a wide array of business disputes, including, trade secret, business tort, breach of contract, breach of warranty, construction, employment, partnership, probate, real property, securities, and statutory and Constitutional claims. He has advised companies in various industries such as energy and natural resources, financial institutions, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and technology.
Prior to Jackson Walker, Fred served as in-house counsel for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). Prior to his work at LCRA, he practiced at the Austin office of an international law firm and, additionally, at one of Austinâs largest law firms. Upon receiving his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law, Fred worked as a briefing attorney to Justice Mack Kidd for the Texas Third Court of Appeals.
Education
B.A., Rice University
J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- American Journal of Criminal Law, Editor-in-Chief
- The Review of Litigation, Staff Member
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
- Representation of electric utility, gas utility, and common carrier pipeline companies in eminent domain and real estate litigation.
- Representation of the owner of an oil refinery in multiple cases before federal and state trial and appellate courts concerning claims arising under the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.
- Negotiation and resolution of a shareholder dispute in a large local health care provider.
- Representation of inventor in multi-year trade secret and partnership dispute, including successful defense of multiple summary judgment motions and defense of jury verdict on appeal.
- Representation of major retailers in Constitutional challenges to Texas liquor laws.
- Negotiation and resolution of pole-sharing agreement between two utility companies.
- Briefed and argued matter of probate venue and jurisdiction on petition for writ of mandamus before the court of appeals.
- Representation of construction company in dispute with former partner operating in competition with the company.
- Representation of employers in disputes regarding covenants not to compete and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2025-2027
- State Bar of Texas, LGBTQ+ Law Section, Judge Norman W. Black Award, 2020
- Austin Bar Foundation, David H. Walter Community Service Award, 2019
- Austin LGBT Bar Association Award of Excellence, 2017
- Austin Bar Association Outstanding Director Award, 2013
- Texas Rising Star â Business Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2011
- Presenter, âDiversity By the Numbers, a Look at Diversity in Austinâs Largest Law Firms,â Austin Bar Association Equity Summit (May 2023)
- Author, âDonât Let Office April Foolâs Day Jokes Lead to Legal Issues,â Law360 (March 2018)
- Co-Author, LGBT Issues in Employment Law, State Bar of Texas CLE Publication (2017 & 2018)
- Austin Bar Association
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor and Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law Sections
- State Bar of Texas
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor & Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law (Counsel Chair 2015-16, Vice Chair 2014-15) Sections
- Member, Outreach and Engagement Committee (2024-present; Vice Chair, 2025-2026)
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Board Member (President-Elect 2024-present, Treasurer 2022-2024, Secretary 2020-2022)
- AIDS Services of Austin, Board Member, 2011-2019 (Board Chair, 2017, Co-Chair 2016, Chair-Elect 2015, Treasurer 2013-14)
- Co-Founder of the Austin LGBT Bar Association (now Austin Bar Association, LGBTQ+ Law Section)
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member, 2000 – present
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 360 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2027 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 122 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 360 Jackson Walker attorneys across 82 specialty practice areas in its 2027 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 122 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. For over three decades, recognition in Best Lawyers has been regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, since an attorney cannot pay to be listed.
Attorney News • August 20, 2026
Celebrating Pride Month with Fred Sultan
JW Fast Takes Podcast | ~3 minutes
â â In this episode of Jackson Walker Fast Takes, host â Courtney Whiteâ welcomes Litigation senior counsel Fred Sultan for a conversation about his eminent domain practice and involvement with the LGBTQ+ Bar Association.
Podcasts • June 2, 2026
Frederick Sultan Joins Dual Leadership Roles in National and Texas Bar Organizations
Jackson Walker proudly congratulates Senior Counsel Frederick Sultan on his appointment to two significant leadership positions that reflect his steadfast commitment to advancing inclusion, equity, and engagement within the legal profession.
Attorney News • November 6, 2025
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
Practice Experience
- Representation of electric utility, gas utility, and common carrier pipeline companies in eminent domain and real estate litigation.
- Representation of the owner of an oil refinery in multiple cases before federal and state trial and appellate courts concerning claims arising under the Texas Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.
- Negotiation and resolution of a shareholder dispute in a large local health care provider.
- Representation of inventor in multi-year trade secret and partnership dispute, including successful defense of multiple summary judgment motions and defense of jury verdict on appeal.
- Representation of major retailers in Constitutional challenges to Texas liquor laws.
- Negotiation and resolution of pole-sharing agreement between two utility companies.
- Briefed and argued matter of probate venue and jurisdiction on petition for writ of mandamus before the court of appeals.
- Representation of construction company in dispute with former partner operating in competition with the company.
- Representation of employers in disputes regarding covenants not to compete and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2025-2027
- State Bar of Texas, LGBTQ+ Law Section, Judge Norman W. Black Award, 2020
- Austin Bar Foundation, David H. Walter Community Service Award, 2019
- Austin LGBT Bar Association Award of Excellence, 2017
- Austin Bar Association Outstanding Director Award, 2013
- Texas Rising Star â Business Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2011
Publications & Speeches
- Presenter, âDiversity By the Numbers, a Look at Diversity in Austinâs Largest Law Firms,â Austin Bar Association Equity Summit (May 2023)
- Author, âDonât Let Office April Foolâs Day Jokes Lead to Legal Issues,â Law360 (March 2018)
- Co-Author, LGBT Issues in Employment Law, State Bar of Texas CLE Publication (2017 & 2018)
Community Involvement
- Austin Bar Association
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor and Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law Sections
- State Bar of Texas
- Member, Appellate, Civil Litigation, Labor & Employment, and LGBTQ+ Law (Counsel Chair 2015-16, Vice Chair 2014-15) Sections
- Member, Outreach and Engagement Committee (2024-present; Vice Chair, 2025-2026)
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Board Member (President-Elect 2024-present, Treasurer 2022-2024, Secretary 2020-2022)
- AIDS Services of Austin, Board Member, 2011-2019 (Board Chair, 2017, Co-Chair 2016, Chair-Elect 2015, Treasurer 2013-14)
- Co-Founder of the Austin LGBT Bar Association (now Austin Bar Association, LGBTQ+ Law Section)
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member, 2000 – present