Practice Description
Mr. Thames’ practice is focused on estate planning, probate, and business litigation. He provides honest, straight forward advice and solutions designed to accomplish his clients’ goals, protect their assets, avoid disputes, and save them time, money and headaches. His clients range from individuals who have never used a lawyer to banks and large companies.
Professional and Educational Background
Named as a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly Magazine, 2023
AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating for Very High Ethical Standards and Legal Ability from Martindale-Hubbell
Named a top Rated IP lawyer by the National Law Journal, 2017
Named a Texas Rising Star as published in Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Edition/Texas Monthly Magazine, 2006 and 2005
Law Clerk to William M. Steger, U. S. District Judge, Eastern District of Texas, 1992-1994
J.D., Baylor University School of Law, cum laude, 1992
- Achievements and Activities:
- Baylor Law Review, Research & Topics Editor, 1992
- Baylor Law Review, Notes & Comments Editor, 1991
- Recipient of numerous awards for academic achievement in law school including the Judge Hunter D. Barrow Award, the NationsBank of Waco Estate Planning and Trusts Award, the Loy M. Simpkins Memorial Award, the Fort Worth Real Estate Council Award, the George C. and Albina Kacir Memorial Award, and five AmJur Awards
B.S., Accounting, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 1989
Practice Areas
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Elder Law
- Commercial Litigation (Intellectual Property, Banking, Probate, Real Estate, Class Actions)
- Civil Appeals (all subjects)
- Mediation
Licensed & Admitted to Practice
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- All State Courts in Texas
Affiliations and Activities
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Smith County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- State Bar of Texas, Appellate, Litigation, and Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Sections
- Smith County Bar Association
- Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit
- John Ward Inn of Court, Founding Member and former Social Chair 2006-present
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, Immediate Past President 2011-2012
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, President 2010-2011
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, President Elect 2009-2010
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, Secretary/Treasurer 2007-2009
- Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, Director 2006-2007
- Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, Planning Committee 2006-present
- State Bar of Texas Advanced Patent Litigation Conference, Faculty Member and/or Speaker 2005-2017
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member, various years
- American Bar Association, Litigation and Intellectual Property Sections
- American Bar Association Council of Appellate Lawyers
- Smith County Young Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, 2000, 2001
- Local coordinator, Lone Star Waves Proudly, 2000
- Law firm coordinator, TASTE (Take A Student To Employment), 2000
- Volunteer, Call-A-Lawyer, 1993-2002
- Youth Basketball Coach, various years
- Youth Soccer Coach, various years
Speaking and Writing
Mr. Thames has given numerous presentations on various topics of interest to the bar. Prior to expanding his estate planning and probate practice, he was a regular speaker at the annual State Bar of Texas Advanced Patent Litigation Conference and the annual Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference. Additionally, Mr. Thames has authored papers published in professional journals such as IP Litigator and The Advocate. Outside of legal audiences, Mr. Thames has spoken on numerous occasions to MBA students on the topic of litigation management.
“Patent Damages Hot Topics” (with Hon. Rodney Gilstrap, Hon. John Love) – Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, Frisco, TX, October 18, 2018
“TC Heartland’s Effect on the Busiest Patent Venues” – Colorado Bar Association IP Section Luncheon, Denver, CO, September 27, 2017
“Trial Strategies and Litigation Tactics” (with Hon. K. Nicole Mitchell and Jeanne M. Heffernan) – State Bar of Texas 13th Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Horseshoe Bay, TX, July 20, 2017
“Picking the Battle Field – Trends in Motions to Transfer Venue Out of the Eastern District of Texas” – State Bar of Texas 12th Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, San Antonio, TX, July 21, 2016
“Correlating Mock Juries, Shadow Juries, and the Ones That Matter” (with Tom Melsheimer, Doug Cawley, and Mary Noffsinger) – State Bar of Texas 11th Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Irving, TX, July 23, 2015
“Preparing a Patent Case for Trial: The Last Four Weeks” (with Diane DeVasto and Bryce Duke) – State Bar of Texas 9th Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Albuquerque, NM, July 26, 2013
“So You’ve Been Sued in the Eastern District of Texas, What Now?: Litigation Advice from Attorneys with Patent Litigation Experience the with Eastern District of Texas” (with Spiro Bereveskos, Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarity, McNett & Henry, LLP and Trevor Carter, Baker & Daniels) – Midwest Intellectual Property Summit, Indianapolis, IN, November, 17, 2011
“The Delicate Dance of Error Preservation” (with Amber H. Rovner, Weil and Rosemary T. Snider, McKool Smith) – Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, Irving, TX, September 27, 2011
“Venue & Mandamus – Is it an Eastern District of Texas Phenomenon?” (with Steven Spears, McDermott, Will & Emery) – Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, Plano, TX, October 22, 2010
“Maximizing Venue Strategies from Both Sides of the ‘V’ – Plaintiff’s Perspective” – State Bar of Texas 6th Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, San Antonio, TX, July 29, 2010
“Common Discovery Issues Involving Foreign Companies” (with Sanford E. Warren, Jr., Akin Gump) – State Bar of Texas 5th Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Incline Village, NV, July 24, 2009
“Venue – Analysis of the Developing Case Law” (with J. Thad Heartfield, Jr., The Heartfield Law Firm) – Eastern District of Texas Bench/Bar Conference, Frisco, TX, October 15, 2009
“Showing Your Cards – Obligations to Investigate and Produce” (with Hon. Don D. Bush, US District Court, Eastern District of Texas and Michael C. Smith, Siebman, Reynolds, Burg, Phillips & Smith) – State Bar of Texas 4th Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, San Diego, CA, July 31, 2008
“Sex, Lies and Pre-Suit Investigations: How Far Should You Go?” (with Steven C. Malin, Sidley Austin and Hon. Layn R. Phillips, Irell & Manella) – State Bar of Texas 3rd Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 12, 2007
“Keeping On and Off the Track” – State Bar of Texas 2nd Annual Advanced Patent Litigation Course, Lake Tahoe, CA, July 27, 2006
Personal
Mr. Thames grew up in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Prior to attending college, his family moved to Marshall, Texas where his father joined the faculty of East Texas Baptist University. An accomplished golfer, Mr. Thames attended college on full golf and academic scholarships. He and his wife, Suzie, have three sons, Jeremy, Parker, and Dawson.
