Atty. Eileen O'Neill
Eileen is a former state trial judge who tries and appeals cases in state and federal courts for both plaintiffs and defendants. She brings a unique perspective to litigation problem-solving, having served during her career as an advocate, judge, arbitrator and mediator.
Profile Summary
About Eileen O'Neill at a glance
Eileen O'Neill is a employment, business, litigation, and appellate attorney based in Houston, Texas, practicing at Ware, Jackson, Lee, O'Neill, Smith & Barrow LLP. They have 42+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1984. Admitted to practice in Texas (1984). Educated at University of Houston Law Center (—, 1984) and University of Houston (B.A., 1981). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Employment Law - Management (2026). Serands clients in Houston, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Eileen is a former state trial judge who tries and appeals cases in state and federal courts for both plaintiffs and defendants
- She brings a unique perspective to litigation problem-solving, having served during her career as an advocate, judge, arbitrator and mediator
- Eileen also has the benefit of having sustained both substantial trial and appellate practices for 30 years
- As a result, she not only knows how to try a case to win, but does so with an informed view of how to keep (or reverse) the judgment on appeal
- Eileen is also an experienced advocate in both domestic and international arbitrations, a forum in which her expertise in witness examination, writing and oral argument combine perfectly
- Eileen has tried and appealed cases for large and small businesses, individuals and families
- Today her practice principally involves business disputes in areas such as oil and gas, construction, corporate governance, employment, telecommunications, and real estate, though she has also handled significant personal injury and probate cases
- Clients value Eileen’s ability to quickly grasp issues, find creative solutions and communicate clearly and persuasively to fact finders and decision makers
- Eileen graduated summa cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center where she served as Publications Editor for the Houston Law Review and received one of four Distinguished Student Awards
- She started her career as an associate with Vinson & Elkins where she practiced for six years before being appointed to the bench
- For ten years after leaving the bench, Eileen associated on large cases, such as Exxon Corp. v
- Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London (to recover for losses from the Valdez spill) and In re Estate of J. Howard Marshall II (regarding Anna Nicole Smith’s will contest), and mediated and arbitrated cases to allow her more flexibility in raising her three children
- Once they were home less than she was, she returned to work full time, joining Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP as a partner in 2005
- Eileen has been certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both Civil Trial and Civil Appellate work since 1990
- She is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and serves as a representative of the Houston Chapter to the ABOTA National Board
- Eileen is a fellow of the Houston and Texas Bar Foundations, and is a senior fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America
- Eileen’s three children are now grown and (mostly) out of the house, so now she is also a heck of a dancer
Practice Areas Explained
Eileen O'Neill's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Eileen O'Neill handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Eileen O'Neill is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Texas →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Eileen O'Neill is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Eileen O'Neill is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Eileen O'Neill is one of 86,319 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate 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 Houston 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 Houston or all attorneys in Texas.
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