Jorge A. Padilla
Practice Areas
Experience
- Business Litigation
- Digital
- Entertainment Litigation
- Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
- Media
- Media Litigation
- Product Liability
- Trusts & Estates Litigation
Biography
Jorge is a partner in Jackson Walkerâs trial section. He has extensive experience litigating business disputes for a variety of clients including trustees, executors, tech companies, property managers, real estate investors and developers, healthcare providers, pension funds, and media companies. Although his practice is focused in Austin, Texas, Jorge has advocated for his clients in state and federal courts throughout Texas.
Jorge also has extensive experience in the areas of probate and fiduciary litigation involving will contests, trustees, executors, and other trustees. He has also represented individuals and business entities in partnership disputes and matters involving fiduciary litigation.
Jorge takes pride in the fact that clients trust him with their legal issues. He works efficiently to address their problems and identify practical legal strategies to help them reach their goals. Sometimes disputes can be resolved out of court, which can be faster and cost-effective. Other times, however, a lawsuit is necessary to address a clientâs dispute. Jorge has the trial court experience to take his clientâs case all the way through trial, navigating the various obstacles encountered along the way.
Education
B.J., University of Texas at Austin
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas
Areas of Focus
- Fiduciary Litigation
- Probate Litigation
- Trust Litigation
- Business Disputes
- Media Litigation
Representative Experience
- Obtained dismissal of claims with prejudice for healthcare provider and successfully defended ruling before Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Texas: Morrison v. Whispering Pines Lodge I, L.L.P., 428 S.W.3d 327, 329 (Tex. App.âTexarkana 2014, pet. denied).
- Successfully appealed and overturned trial courtâs denial of motion to compel arbitration: Specialty Select Care Ctr. of San Antonio, LLC v. Flores, No. 04-13-00888-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 9345, 2015 WL 5157034 (Tex. App.âSan Antonio Sept. 2, 2015, no pet. h.).
- Successfully overturned trial courtâs denial of motion to compel arbitration: Villas of Mount Pleasant, LLC v. King, 454 S.W.3d 689 (Tex. App.âTexarkana 2014, no pet.).
- Defended Trustee in lawsuit filed by beneficiaries of Trust and negotiated settlement that allowed Trustee to maintain possession of nearly 7,000-acre ranch in dispute.
- Represented minority shareholder in breach of fiduciary claim against majority owners and obtained favorable settlement for client.
- Brought fiduciary duty and derivative lawsuit on behalf of co-owner of physicianâs practice and negotiated settlement that included division and distribution of assets of practice.
- Tried lawsuit to jury verdict in federal court case involving breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of property claims arising from partnership dispute.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2022
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Civil Law Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2020-2021
- AVANCE National, Board Member
- AVANCE Austin, Advisory Board Member, Treasurer
- Northwest Softball League, President, Board Member, Coach
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
- St. Thomas More Society of Austin
- Diocese of Austin Red Mass Committee, Chair, 2018 – 2023
- St. Louis King of France, Capital Campaign and Building Committee Member
- Leadership Austin Essential Class, 2018
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellows Program, 2018
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- President, 2018-2019
- President-Elect, 2017-2018
- Treasurer, 2016-2017
- Secretary, 2015-2016
- Silicon Labs Sunshine Run, Co-Race Director, 2016-2017
- Austin Sunshine Camps, Secretary, 2015
- ABA/AYLA Leadership Academy, 2012
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
- University of Texas School of Law 1L Mentor, 2016-2018
- Austin Bar Association
- Board Executive Committee Member, 2017-2019
- Mentor Program Chair, 2017
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
‘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 yearâs 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.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
Noah Galton and Jorge Padilla Named Finalists for Austin Under 40 Awards
Noah Galton and Jorge Padilla were selected as finalists for the Austin Under 40 Awards, which honor and celebrate Austin professionals who have demonstrated excellence in their careers, while also making an impact in the community.
Attorney News • March 9, 2023
‘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.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2022 âSuper Lawyers â Rising Starsâ list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Attorney News • March 22, 2022
‘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.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 20 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2021
Jackson Walker congratulates the 20 attorneys recognized among âAustinâs Top Attorneysâ for 2021. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 43 categories.
Attorney News • August 3, 2021
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2021 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 36 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2021 âSuper Lawyers â Rising Starsâ list. Spanning five offices and eight major practice areas, these up-and-coming attorneys have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
Attorney News • March 23, 2021
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ 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.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
âAustin Monthlyâ Lists Jorge Padilla Among Top Attorneys for 2020
Jackson Walker congratulates Jorge Padilla on his selection to Austin Monthlyâs list of âAustinâs Top Attorneys 2020â in the area of Civil Law Litigation. Jorge and fellow honorees were featured in the August 2020 edition.
Attorney News • July 29, 2020
Jackson Walker Congratulates 30 Attorneys Listed Among 2020 âSuper Lawyers â Rising Starsâ List
Spanning five offices, six major practice areas, and experience ranging from six to 15 years, these 30 up-and-coming attorneys were selected based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
Attorney News • March 10, 2020
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â December 2019
Featuring insights on the CASE Act and the collision of politics and democracy on social media; the Dallas Bar Association panel on the Amber Guyger murder trial; Nate. St. Clair and Shannon Zmud Teicher’s panel discussions at the Law x Style Summit; and more.
Newsletters • December 9, 2019
The Gray Area of Social Media: When Politics and Democracy Collide
Widely considered a star of social media, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backed down from a Twitter fight in the form of a lawsuit filed by one of her Twitter followers. The suit alleged that the congresswoman had violated his First Amendment right to free speech by blocking him and preventing his ability to view her posts on the social media platform.
Insights • December 9, 2019
JW Media | VIA ePostcard â July 2018
In the July 2018 edition, Jorge Padilla comments on reinvigorated efforts to pass the Free Flow of Information Act; Paul Watler is featured for his representation of A.H. Belo Corporation; and Bob Latham shares his experience attending the NHL Draft.
Newsletters • July 31, 2018
A New Shield for the “Enemy?”
By Jorge Padilla |Â Itâs no secret that President Trumpâs relationship with the press during his administration has been rocky, at best. In a July 3rd tweet, the president alleged that the âWashington Post is constantly quoting âanonymous sourcesâ that do not exist.â From allegations of âfake newsâ to his claim that the news media were the âenemy of the people,â Trump has made clear his distaste for the press.
Insights • July 30, 2018
Practice Experience
Areas of Focus
- Fiduciary Litigation
- Probate Litigation
- Trust Litigation
- Business Disputes
- Media Litigation
Representative Experience
- Obtained dismissal of claims with prejudice for healthcare provider and successfully defended ruling before Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Texas: Morrison v. Whispering Pines Lodge I, L.L.P., 428 S.W.3d 327, 329 (Tex. App.âTexarkana 2014, pet. denied).
- Successfully appealed and overturned trial courtâs denial of motion to compel arbitration: Specialty Select Care Ctr. of San Antonio, LLC v. Flores, No. 04-13-00888-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 9345, 2015 WL 5157034 (Tex. App.âSan Antonio Sept. 2, 2015, no pet. h.).
- Successfully overturned trial courtâs denial of motion to compel arbitration: Villas of Mount Pleasant, LLC v. King, 454 S.W.3d 689 (Tex. App.âTexarkana 2014, no pet.).
- Defended Trustee in lawsuit filed by beneficiaries of Trust and negotiated settlement that allowed Trustee to maintain possession of nearly 7,000-acre ranch in dispute.
- Represented minority shareholder in breach of fiduciary claim against majority owners and obtained favorable settlement for client.
- Brought fiduciary duty and derivative lawsuit on behalf of co-owner of physicianâs practice and negotiated settlement that included division and distribution of assets of practice.
- Tried lawsuit to jury verdict in federal court case involving breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of property claims arising from partnership dispute.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Commercial Litigation, 2021-2026
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2022
- “Austinâs Top Attorneys” List â Civil Law Litigation, Austin Monthly, 2020-2021
Community Involvement
- AVANCE National, Board Member
- AVANCE Austin, Advisory Board Member, Treasurer
- Northwest Softball League, President, Board Member, Coach
- Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
- St. Thomas More Society of Austin
- Diocese of Austin Red Mass Committee, Chair, 2018 – 2023
- St. Louis King of France, Capital Campaign and Building Committee Member
- Leadership Austin Essential Class, 2018
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellows Program, 2018
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- President, 2018-2019
- President-Elect, 2017-2018
- Treasurer, 2016-2017
- Secretary, 2015-2016
- Silicon Labs Sunshine Run, Co-Race Director, 2016-2017
- Austin Sunshine Camps, Secretary, 2015
- ABA/AYLA Leadership Academy, 2012
- Texas Young Lawyers Association
- University of Texas School of Law 1L Mentor, 2016-2018
- Austin Bar Association
- Board Executive Committee Member, 2017-2019
- Mentor Program Chair, 2017