Burley Smith Receives Distinguished Counselor Award

Press Releases

6.28.11

Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated ("Cox Smith") today announced that firm co-founder J. Burleson "Burley" Smith was presented with the 2011 Distinguished Counselor Award by the State Bar of Texas' Antitrust and Business Litigation Section during the State Bar's annual meeting in San Antonio.

According to the Section leadership, Smith, who is a past chair of the State Bar's Antitrust and Business Litigation Section, was selected for the honor because of his contributions and commitment to the legal profession and his excellence in the practice of law. A San Antonio native, Smith is a graduate of Jefferson High School, the University of Texas, and the University of Texas School of Law. He began his legal career in 1946 with Seeligson, Cox and Patterson, an oil and gas law firm based in San Antonio. Smith developed a general practice with emphasis on litigation, estate administration, and oil, gas and mineral law. He evolved into an active leader at the firm, which eventually became Cox & Smith, and served as the managing partner of the firm for many years. In this role, Smith was instrumental in building what has become the largest business and business litigation law firm based in South Texas.

"It's a testament to the relationships that Burley has developed and maintained, the numerous individuals he has influenced throughout his long career and the longstanding impact he continues to have on this firm and our profession that he has been recognized by the State Bar," said Mike Ferrill, head of the firm's Antitrust and Trade Regulation practice. "Many of the cornerstones upon which this firm was founded have been directly influenced by Burley and he richly deserves being recognized for his devotion and commitment to his profession."

In addition to his active legal career, Smith dedicated time to the State Bar of Texas by serving as chairman of its Mineral Law Section, chairman of its Antitrust Litigation Section, and as a member of its Grievance Committee. Smith also is a recipient of numerous bar and civic awards, including recognition as an Outstanding 50 Year Lawyer by the State Bar of Texas, and the Joe Frazier Brown Award of Excellence presented by the San Antonio Bar Association.