Atty. Dennis Donley
Dennis is a partner in the 100+-year-old law firm of Naman, Howell, Smith and Lee, PLLC. Dennis is chair of the firm’s Regulatory/Infrastructure and Government Relations Sections.
Profile Summary
About Dennis Donley at a glance
Dennis Donley is a government and energy attorney based in Austin, Texas, practicing at Naman, Howell, Smith & Lee PLLC. They have 28+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1998. Admitted to practice in Texas, State Bar of Texas (1998). Educated at The University of Texas (J.D.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Administrative / Regulatory Law (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Utilities Law (2026). Serands clients in Austin, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Dennis is a partner in the 100+-year-old law firm of Naman, Howell, Smith and Lee, PLLC. Dennis is chair of the firm’s Regulatory/Infrastructure and Government Relations Sections
- His practice has primarily focused on work for telecommunications, utilities, litigation, and government relations
- Dennis has successfully led multibillion dollar matters as well as represented clients and litigated cases across numerous jurisdictions
- Additionally, Dennis was appointed to serve as Conventional Counsel and General Counsel for The Republican Party of Texas for a number of years while he has been at Naman Howell
- He is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics
- Prior to joining the firm in 1998, Dennis clerked/interned for Justice James A. Baker of the Texas Supreme Court, Judge Paul Davis, 200th District Court Judge, Congressman Frank Lucas and even founded his own company, “Power Wash +”
- Dennis received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his Bachelors Degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (summa cum laude) with double majors in Political Science and History
- Dennis completed both his undergraduate and law school education in just over five years
Practice Areas Explained
Dennis Donley's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Dennis Donley handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Dennis Donley is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Texas →
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
Dennis Donley is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Texas →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Texas
Practicing law in Texas. Legal matters in Texas are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Austin are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Texas state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Texas brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Texas courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Austin or all attorneys in Texas.
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