Gray Reed announces with profound sadness the passing of James “Jim” McGraw, 74, founding partner of Gray Reed & McGraw, whose legacy of legal excellence and mentorship helped shape the firm for nearly four decades.
Known affectionately as “the Professor,” McGraw was a distinguished trial attorney renowned for his extraordinary legal knowledge and research abilities – serving as the firm's human encyclopedia long before the digital age. His practice encompassed complex litigation in both state and federal courts, where he masterfully represented plaintiffs and defendants in antitrust actions, breach of contract claims, business torts, personal injury, and insurance cases. His expertise particularly shone in environmental litigation, where he defended clients in challenging matters involving oil spills and pipeline ruptures.
McGraw's academic excellence was evident throughout his career, beginning with his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin and continuing at the University of Houston Law Center, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1979 and served as Executive Editor of the Houston Law Review. He later returned to his alma mater as an Adjunct Professor, sharing his vast knowledge with the next generation of legal professionals.
“Jim was more than a founding partner; he was the intellectual cornerstone of our firm,” Gray Reed Chairman Cary Gray says. “His unfailingly positive attitude, encyclopedic legal knowledge and generous spirit made him an irreplaceable presence in our firm. He set a standard of excellence and collegiality that will continue to guide us.”
Beyond his accomplished legal career, McGraw was known for his mentorship of countless attorneys and his special ability to foster deep, lasting friendships, particularly with his close friend, colleague and fellow Founding Partner Jim Reed.
McGraw's services will be held on December 4, 2024 in Houston. HIs obituary can be found here.
About Gray Reed
Gray Reed isn't just a full-service Texas law firm – we strive to be the ultimate partner for businesses. With a comprehensive range of litigation and transactional practice groups focused on understanding our clients’ businesses and industries, our 150 attorneys are equipped to support companies, and high-net-worth individuals and families, based in Texas or operating within its borders. In addition, our commitment to clients goes beyond providing legal services. Through our subsidiary, Gray Reed Advisory Services, we further support our clients with a team of consultants providing strategic business solutions to drive measurable improvements in profitability, efficiency, operations and compliance, along with expertise in crisis communications, public relations and government affairs. Discover what sets us apart at www.grayreed.com and www.grayreedadvisory.com.