Search for "William Austin Smith"

My Story I came to Jacksonville in October, 1978, after graduation from Duke University School of Law. My third-year roommate, Bob Parrish, prevailed upon legendary criminal defense and civil rights lawyer Bill Sheppard to grant me an interview and soon I began a clerkship with the firm of Sheppard, Carithers, and Weinbaum. All three partners became lifetime friends and mentors. Hugh Carithers went on to serve with distinction as a Circuit Judge for many years, retiring in December, 2019. Steve Weinbaum became recognized as one of the outstanding trial lawyers in Florida, winning several high profile cases while working with Bob...

I litigate and appeal in real estate and Constitutional law. I defend homeowners against HOAs, banks, and insurance companies. Foreclosure and foreclosure defense, eviction defense, and home equity loan litigation are most of what we do.

Prominent cases included Pangborn v. Burnet County over a bill of attainder limiting real estate development rights, Piatt v. City of Austin over racially discriminatory affirmative action in the Police Department, and Hendee v. Dewhurst over Texas constitutional spending limits.

Former clerk for Texas Supreme Court Justice Steven Wayne Smith.