Ian Davis

Ian Davis is an associate attorney at McGinnis Lochridge who represents individuals, companies, and governmental entities in state and federal courts across Texas. He is equipped to manage a wide range of legal disputes, including complex civil litigation, federal and state constitutional law, probate and fiduciary litigation, employment law, intellectual property, real estate litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings before Texas agencies. Ian has trial experience in both federal and state courts, and routinely appears in court for motion practice.

Throughout every stage of a lawsuit, Ian aligns his clients’ business goals to their litigation strategy, avoiding scorched earth tactics in favor of practical solutions. Ian is a trusted advocate who fights for his clients until a matter is resolved. 

In 2022, Ian successfully tried a case on behalf of a pro bono client, delivering a well-deserved courthouse victory. Ian served as lead counsel at trial, conducting opening and closing statements, and putting on expert and lay witnesses. In 2023, Ian argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in a case involving a First Amendment challenge to a Texas statute. The Fifth Circuit reversed and rendered judgment in the client's favor. With fewer cases tried in today’s legal climate, Ian’s comfort and experience in the courtroom serves as a valuable asset.

An Austin native, Ian graduated with High Honors from Emory University School of Law. Prior to joining the Firm in 2020, Ian worked for the Joint Distribution Committee in Tel Aviv, Israel and Riga, Latvia. In that role, Ian coordinated the Committee’s juvenile rights division in Central Israel, supported community leadership in fostering government relations, worked with legal counsel to provide property restitution for confiscated communal assets, and assisted in the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Honors & Recognitions

• Dean’s Recognition of Professional Development (2019)

Community & Professional

• Anti-Defamation League Austin, Board Member (2026)
• Llyod C. Lochridge Inn of Court, Member (2023-present)
• Austin Bar Association (2020-present)
• Glass Leadership Institute, Anti-Defamation League (2023)
• Order of the Coif, Emory Law School (2020-present)
• Emory Law Journal, Articles Editor (2019)

State Court

• Obtained Travis County trial verdict in favor of consumer-plaintiff on breach of contract and Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees (first chair)
• Obtained Gillespie County jury trial verdict recognizing an equitable easement to the plaintiff-client’s property and awarding $200k in attorneys’ fees (first chair)
• Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in Travis County against defendants who had filed false documents with the secretary of state and were fraudulently operating clients’ business entity
• Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in trade secret theft litigation in Comal County
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of employer on claims of sexual harassment in Travis County
• Obtained partial summary judgment for client in Tarrant County case involving non-payment under a contract, as well as personal liability for the defendant company’s CEO (first chair)
• Obtained seven-figure settlement for physician in Fort Bend County lawsuit involving claims for fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty
• Successful representation of homeowner in Travis County lawsuit against contractor involving claims for breach of contract and conversion
• Successfully defeated application for temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in Burnet County case alleging existence of prescriptive easement
• Successfully defeated application for temporary injunction in Fannin County case alleging that Electric Cooperative client was committing trespass
• Obtained temporary restraining order and temporary injunction in Guadalupe County on claim that defendant was interfering with client’s use of an access easement
• Trial counsel for Central Texas county in a bond validation lawsuit under Chapter 1205 of the Texas Government Code
• Successful representation of Texas electric cooperative in proceeding before the Public Utility Commission of Texas requesting amendment to certificate of convenience and necessity
• Successful representation of cattle rancher in Hartley County lawsuit alleging that defendant had stolen cattle and breached a purchase agreement

Federal Court

• Obtained summary judgment in favor of private university on employment-based claims of race discrimination (W.D. Tex.)
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of nationwide employer on claims of employment retaliation (S.D. Tex.)
• Obtained dismissal of $900 million copyright infringement claims for public university client (S.D. Tex.)
• Obtained dismissal of malicious prosecution claims brought against county prosecutors and detectives (W.D. Tex.)
• Obtained numerous summary judgments in favor of county defendants on § 1983 claims alleging violations of US Constitution, including excessive force, search and seizure, first amendment, and due process (W.D. Tex. and S.D. Tex.)
• Obtained summary judgment in favor of county defendant in lawsuit alleging disability discrimination (W.D. Tex.)
• Trial counsel for property owners challenging constitutionality of municipal ordinance involving Texas Public Improvement District (W.D. Tex.)
• Successfully defended against Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) class action lawsuits (first chair)

Appellate 

• Delivered oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans in a case involving a First Amendment challenge to Texas's drone statute. The Fifth Circuit rendered judgment in the client's favor. See Nat'l Press Photographers Assin v. McCraw, 84 F.4th 632 (5th Cir. 2023)
• Delivered oral argument to the Amarillo Court of Appeals in water rights dispute
• Delivered oral argument to the San Antonio Court of Appeals in land use / easement dispute
• Authored numerous appellate briefs in Texas courts of appeal and federal Fifth Circuit involving constitutional law, land use, water law and employment law

Arbitration

• Obtained take-nothing award on behalf of publicly traded e-commerce company in arbitration involving claims for violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, breach of contract, and violations of the Texas Finance Code. The arbitral tribunal found fully in the client’s favor, awarded no money to the claimant, and rejected request for claimant’s attorneys’ fees (first chair)
• Obtained seven-figure settlement in favor of software company in arbitration involving claims of excessive use and breach of software license agreement
• Obtained six-figure settlement in favor of sporting goods retailer in international arbitration involving breach of contract claims and challenge to enforceability of non-competition agreement