Lawyers map
John D. Jacks
Data reflects the status as of the most recent database update. We generally conduct data reviews and updates on a
monthly schedule.
5.0
Avvo rating
5 Reviews
All reviews
19 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
John represented me in a divorce litigation involving complex business valuation issues that involved two depositions and a final two day trial. John's complete command of the financial and accounting issues in this case ensured that our narrative was communicated in a clear and easily understandable way to the court. John was a strident advocate for my rights in this case and I would strongly recommend John in any case involving complex business issues. John truly stands out among his peers as one of the finest attorneys in Austin, Texas.
09 Sep, 2017 by Paul
To whom it may concern:
John Jacks represented my wife and I in a lawsuit against our builder. I’ve had many dealings with other attorneys and other firms through the years both in a personal and in a professional capacity. I can’t say enough kind words about John nor can I proclaim enough accolades regarding his services. Instead, here are the material facts that I think most appropriately differentiate John from other attorneys:
1) Responsiveness and Customer Service: Rarely did my phone calls (which often occurred daily) go to voicemail and when they did, he almost always called me back before he left for the day. For me this is very important because in my dealings with other attorneys, I’ve always been made to feel like my business wasn’t appreciated and that my calls were unimportant. It’s the complete antithesis with John, and I’m grateful for this.
2) Practicality. John guided us through the process, always with any eye toward the “end game.” Where I might have wanted to pursue a different course, he helped me consider the cost-benefit of the course and adjust our strategy accordingly. To this end he would often consider my ideas for strategy and was never arrogant or dismissive. He was always resourceful, never hesitating to get 2nd and even 3rd opinions from within or outside his firm, hence, he was also seeking out the best strategy.
(3) Aggressiveness. Our builder like many others was as slick as they come, a true deviant with a sophisticated criminal mind. John recognized this early on when problems began to arise. Fortunately for us he had the foresight to pen agreements with the builder so that if anything went awry, as they did, the builder would be personally liable, negating any protections that would have otherwise been afforded to him through his sham construction company. John is a nice guy, soft spoken, personable and kind but don’t let his pleasant demeanor fool you. When it comes time to contest something—in our case, arbitration—John is as tough as they come. In our case, John sought and obtained an arbitration award that included findings for fraud, deceptive trade practices, and several other causes of action, with an award of punitive damages, as well all attorney fees.
(4) Preparedness. John brought in expert witnesses and compiled evidence binders over 200 pages thick. I was frankly in awe. During the arbitration hearing, the builder was lying and contradicting the testimony he gave in his deposition. I exaggerate not in pointing out that John called this builder out on every instance, always prefaced with “let’s go back to you deposition, page …”. John ran circles around this conman and when doing so, only then did I realize how John had anticipated his responses, evidenced by the very questions he had previously asked during the deposition. It’s no exaggeration when I say that during the arbitration, John already new exactly where to turn to in the transcripts!
(5) Reputation. While I have only my experience to go on, it appeared to me that John is well respected by his colleagues in the legal profession, including judges, mediators, arbitrators, and opposing counsel. John was courteous and respectful throughout, and his professional colleagues were respectful and courteous in return and treated him as the honest and ethical attorney he is.
09 Dec, 2014 by Decata
When I first met John, I was worried because my ex-husband had hired a very well known lawyer from Bell Co who has a reputation for raking people of the coals. I was fooled! John is a very polite gentleman with proper manners and ethics. Do not let that fool you. He is a hard worker, very knowledgeable and trustworthy lawyer. I was so emotional during this time, but John was so patient with me. He encouraged me and gave me great advice along the way. He also reminded me he was looking out for me and was going to get me the very best settlement.
John worked late hours and on weekends preparing for court, deposition and mediation. He did not put up with Carol Prater's rude and sarcastic attitude during these meetings. John is very strong at advocating when we went to court and also when we went to mediation. He is a strong negotiator. The end results I received a very good settlement.
The firm of Gray and Becker are so lucky to have John along with his legal assistant Susan Jennings. Susan has taken my calls on weekends and helped me though a few bumps in the road. Not just with getting John informed but to talk me though a melt down or 2!!!
I hope whoever reads this never goes though a devastating divorce like I have, but if you do John is on all levels the person to call. He did not want to just keep dragging this on unnecessarily to trail just for extra money and the extra emotional stress on me. Which is what the other lawyer, Carol was hoping to do.
John traveled to Williamson Co. for court and mediation. Thank you John for all you have done. At this time, I see a new path in my future. I can not thank him and say enough about his good hard work.
08 Feb, 2014 by Morgan
I would not hesitate to recommend John Jacks of Gray & Becker, P.C. He is of the highest caliber both professionally and ethically. Mr. Jacks, due to his honesty, knowledge, professionalism, and timely communication, made my litigation process far less stressful than it could have been. Furthermore, I always felt like he had provided me with all the information and appropriate advice warranted for me to make the most suitable decisions regarding my case. Overall, relying on Mr. Jacks as my legal counsel turned out to be an excellent decision and, therefore, I highly recommend him.
04 Feb, 2014 by Leslie
Very good, ethical attorney who was always upfront and honest with me. He will tell you the good and the bad of your case and I appreciate that honesty. I am confident that Mr. Jacks and his firm got me the best deal possible. Extremely positive experience.
Best lawyers in Austin, TX
05 Sep, 2024 by Samuel morris
I can't imagine going through the process of getting my wife's green card without Jason's help. Definitely the best decision I made throughout the process. Jason is super patient, informative, helpful, and kind. I would recommend his services to anyone looking for a high quality choice they can depend on.
Read more
23 Aug, 2024 by Katie parks
Working with Jason on my immigration application was an exceptional experience, from start to finish. He was thoroughly educated in the process, provided in-depth and clear information at each stage, patiently answered every question I had (no matter how small or silly!), and was such a calming presence throughout the journey. His kindness, caring, and compassion were a huge comfort to me along the way. You can tell he loves his work and is committed to helping his clients succeed. I highly recommend him. Thank you, Jason!
Read more
01 Aug, 2024 by Blair mcbride
We have had a wonderful experience working with Jason! What I have appreciated most about him is that he is very clear about exactly what needs to be done and when. He provides great context and additional information to understand why and potential issues / concerns that might arise (and we've had some VERY unique immigration issues).
Read more
04 May, 2020 by Anonymous
I highly recommend Saira Ukani for family law representation. The true mark of her legal skill is her ability to be professional and thorough, while also compassionate and understanding. She is never dismissive, and takes the client’s position as her own. She explained the process in simple terms I could understand, and always looked out for my best interest. Importantly, she has always provided positive results. If you need an attorney, I recommend having Saira Ukani in your corner, you won't be disappointed. It is with the highest esteem that I recommend Saira Ukani for representation, and with sincere gratitude that I thank her for the outstanding job she has done handling my case.
Read more
23 Feb, 2015 by John
I've worked with him for many years now. I love his easy going style. You can talk to him and strategize and he's very understanding of clients. Kent does not browbeat or lecture like many attorneys I've met. I've found that it's very important that I work with someone who is easy to get along with and that's Kent. He's been very successful with the work that he's done for me with both my personal life and my businesses. Kent is also a highly qualified CPA. It's wonderful to have a single CPA and attorney because it's usually so hard and expensive to get two people on the same page with tax and financial issues.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?
Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:
-
What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
Who will be handling my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
What potential outcomes can I expect?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the expected timeline for my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What challenges do you foresee in my case?
Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Austin, Texas?
Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:
-
Within the Same State:
Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state. -
Outside of Their Licensed State:
If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:- Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
- Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
-
International Representation:
For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.
It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
-
Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
-
Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as:- Contracts or agreements
- Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
- Legal notices or court papers
- Financial records (if applicable)
- Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
-
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context. -
List of Questions:
Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, fees, or the lawyer's experience. -
Financial Information:
If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices. -
Contact Information:
Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case, including their names and contact information. -
Personal Identification:
Bring a valid photo ID for verification purposes. -
Pen and Notebook:
Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed. -
Budget Constraints:
Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options. -
Openness and Honesty:
Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
