Honors & Achievements

Recognition

In 1985, we set out to create a law firm that was different from any other law firm. To us, “client service” means more than providing first-rate legal service and being responsive to our clients’ business needs. Our objective is to become trusted business advisors that clients can depend upon now and in the future.

We are constantly reassessing our clients’ needs and this has helped us set precedent for the growth of our firm. We believe the best results ae achieved by drawing on the exceptional talents and varied experience of all of our lawyers.

We strongly believe that we have a responsibility to help strengthen our communities. We encourage our lawyers to participate in the community whether it is pro bono work, government service, service to the bar or teaching.

While we are honored for the recognition for the work we have done, our true reward comes from the thanks we receive when we help our clients because satisfying our clients’ needs is what matters most.

A Growing Success

Texas Lawyer ranked Looper Reed & McGraw #22 on their 2011 list of the 100 largest law firms in Texas. The ranking is part of an annual survey conducted by Texas Lawyer, and is based on the number of attorneys employed in Texas. As one of Texas' fastest growing law firms, Looper Reed & McGraw has continued its upward trend in the Texas Lawyer rankings since 2004 when it was ranked 58th.

2011 – #22
2010 – #29
2009 – #30
2008 – #34
2007 – #40
2006 – #49
2005 – #53

2004 – #58

The Texas Lawyer 2011 Top 100 Law Firms Ranking also singled Looper Reed & McGraw out as the third fastest growing law firm (growing 9.38% during 2010) in Texas of the top 25 law firms.
Looper Reed was recognized by Fortune Magazine and Martindale-Hubbell as one of the top nationally ranked law firms in the United States in 2012. This honor was determined by having at least 33 percent of its attorneys achieving a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating.
Looper Reed was recognized as a "2012 Go-To Law Firm for the Top 500 Companies in the United States." Nominees were chosen from an American Legal Media national survey of General Counsel from Fortune 500 Companies coupled with in-depth research & analysis of various public filings and resources. This honor puts Looper Reed in an exclusive group of firms that deliver exceptional work for the Fortune 500.
Looper Reed & McGraw was ranked among the very best firms in the United States in the 2011 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” rankings. Seven of the firm’s practices were recognized, including the Dallas Healthcare section and the Houston Family Law section, which were ranked Tier 1. Sections ranked in Tier 2 included: Dallas - Commercial Litigation; Dallas - Energy Law; Dallas - Tax Litigation; Houston - Trusts & Estates Litigation; Houston - Trusts & Estates Law.
The Houston Business Journal's 2010 ranking of Largest Houston-Area Law Firms ranked Looper Reed and McGraw the 21st largest law firm in Houston.
Looper Reed & McGraw was honored as a Dynasty Law Firm by the University of Houston Law Center on March 29, 2008. This is the first time the University of Houston has ever honored a law firm.
The Houston Business Journal gave Looper Reed & McGraw third place as one of the "2010 Best Places to Work" (for companies with 101 to 500 employees). With an overall score of 91.77 (out of 100) in a survey conducted by the Houston Business Journal, Looper Reed & McGraw's score was the top score of all law firms with more than 50 attorneys. In addition, The Dallas Business Journal named Looper Reed & McGraw one of the "Best Places to Work" for 2010. With an overall score of 93.21 (out of 100) in a survey conducted by the Dallas Business Journal, Looper Reed & McGraw's score was the top score of all law firms with more than 15 attorneys. This is a testament to the atmosphere and culture that we have created at Looper Reed & McGraw.
The Houston Chronicle ranked Looper Reed & McGraw #14 as a Top Workplace in Houston (in the small companies category). Of the law firms that competed, Looper Reed & McGraw ranked first.

Exceptionally Talented Lawyers

Best Lawyers in America recognized five Looper Reed & McGraw attorneys in its 2012 rankings. Best Lawyers is the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession. The current edition of The Best Lawyers in America is based on more than two million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers.

Andrew Meyercord - Healthcare Law
Charlie Sartain - Commercial Litigation, Energy Law
Tom Rhodus - Tax Law
Joseph Royce - Estate Planning & Probate
Kyle Sanders - Family Law

Texas Super Lawyers included 19 Looper Reed & McGraw lawyers in its 2011 list recognizing the nation’s top legal talent. Only five percent of nominated lawyers in each state are selected for inclusion.
- Darrell Armer - Healthcare
- Scott Aston - Business Litigation
- Daryl Bailey - Business Litigation
- Scott Funk - Business Litigation
- Cary Gray - Business Litigation
- Norm Lofgren - Estate Planning & Probate
- Donald Looper - International
- Robert Mangum - Real Estate
- Kate McConnico - Family Law
- James McGraw - Business Litigation
- Andrew Meyercord - Healthcare
- James Ormiston - Business Litigation
- James Reed - Business Litigation
- Kenneth Rhodes - Personal Injury Defense: Products
- Jamie Ribman - Business Litigation
- Tom Rhodus - Tax
- George Rustay - Family Law
- Kyle Sanders - Family Law
- Charles Sartain - Business Litigation
Texas Super Lawyers designated 11 Looper Reed & McGraw lawyers as Rising Stars in 2011, up-and-coming attorneys in their field under the age of 40 or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.

Mitch Ackal - Business Litigation
Caroline Akers - Energy & Natural Resources
Amy Allen - Family Law
Travis Crabtree - First Amendment/Media/Advertising
David Gair - Tax
Jonathan M. Hyman – Business Litigation
Ashley Johnston - Health Care
Michael Kelsheimer – Business Litigation
Matthew Sanderson – Real Estate
Josh Weaver - Business Litigation
Drew York – Business Litigation

H-Texas Magazine designated seven Looper Reed & McGraw Houston lawyers as "Top Lawyers" in 2011. Only two percent of the nominated lawyers are selected for inclusion.

Sofia Adrogue - Business Litigation
Jack Emmott - Family Law
Jonathan Hyman - Business Litigation
Kate McConnico - Family Law
Jim Reed - Business Litigation
George Rustay - Family Law
Kyle Sanders - Family Law

D Magazine designated three Looper Reed & McGraw Dallas lawyers as "Best Lawyers in Dallas" in 2011.

Ruth Ann Daniels - Labor & Employment Law
Tom Rhodus - Taxation
Greg Sampson - Trusts & Estates

Leaders In The Community

Jack Rains served as Texas’ 95th Secretary of State and as the founding Chairman of the Board of the Harris County - Houston Sports Authority, which brought Reliant Stadium to Houston.

Robert Eckels served as Harris County Judge – a role in which he oversaw the executive, legislative and judicial functions of a Texas county that is home to more than 3.6 million residents (one of the largest counties in the nation). In addition, he also served six terms as a state representative in the Texas Legislature.

Ben Aderholt served as President of the Houston Bar Association and as a Director of the State Bar of Texas. Aderholt was also the recipient of Rotary International’s prestigious Global Alumni Service to Humanity Award for 2009.

William Morris served as Associate Judge for the Harris County 247th Family District Court from 1982 to 1993.

In 2008, Joe Coleman received the Baylor Lawyer of the Year award, which is given annually to an outstanding alumnus who has brought honor and distinction to Baylor Law School and the legal profession. Coleman served on the Baylor Board of Regents from 1998-2007. He also was a member of the Baylor Foundation Board of Directors.

Claude Wilson, who is also a CPA, served as President of the President of the Texas Society of CPAs and the Dallas CPA Society.

Sofia Adrogué is a prolific community leader and has been recognized by numerous organizations and charities for her efforts. Some of these include being recognized as by Texas Executive Women as a "Woman on the Move," by Houston Women Magazine as one of “Houston's 50 Most Influential Women,” by the Houston Chronicle as a “Texas Legend,” by ABC Channel 13 as a "Woman of Distinction," by Houston Jaycees as a "Outstanding Houstonian," by Texas Jaycees as an "Outstanding Texan," as well as by U.S. Jaycees as an "Outstanding American". She is a recipient of a "Barbara Jordan Legacy Award" bestowed by the National Council of Negro Women, Barbara Jordan Houston Section; the 2009 Executive Woman of the Year by Talento Bilingüe de Houston; a 2005 YWCA Woman of Achievement; a 2005 Neuhaus Education Center "Icon"; and a Hispanic Business Magazine "Elite Woman".The City of Houston has recognized Sofia with a proclamation of July 10, 2004 as "Sofia Adrogué Day."

Jack Emmott, who is an advocate for those with disabilities, has served on numerous organizations and boards that support those with disabilities. In particular, he Chaired the Coalition for Barrier Free Living, the Houston Center for Independent Living, the Houston Mayor's Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities, and the City of Houston Commission on Disabilities.