Atty. John W. Slates

Atty. John W. Slates

John Slates is Board Certified in Construction Law and focuses his practice on representing general contractors, owners, and developers. John is an accomplished trial lawyer who has first-chaired numerous cases to verdicts, including cases that have been recognized by the National Law Journal’s " Top 100 Verdicts" and Verdict Search’s "Top Texas Verdicts." He has also successfully argued before the Texas Supreme Court in Lennar Corporation v.

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Commercial Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Dallas, TX

Profile Summary

About John W. Slates at a Glance

John W. Slates is a business, construction, and litigation attorney based in Dallas, Texas, practicing at Slates Harwell Campbell LLP. Educated at Georgetown University (—, 1995) and Georgetown University (—, 1995). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction (2026). Serves clients in Dallas, TX and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About John W. Slates

  • John Slates is Board Certified in Construction Law and focuses his practice on representing general contractors, owners, and developers
  • John is an accomplished trial lawyer who has first-chaired numerous cases to verdicts, including cases that have been recognized by the National Law Journal’s "Top 100 Verdicts" and Verdict Search’s "Top Texas Verdicts
  • He has also successfully argued before the Texas Supreme Court in Lennar Corporation v
  • Markel American Insurance Company
  • John has negotiated over $9 billion in design and construction contracts for some of the most high-profile projects recently built in North Texas, including the Toyota Corporate Headquarters, as well as a wide array of other commercial projects
  • John served on the Texas State Bar Construction Law Council and Foundation from 2017-2020, is currently the Chair of the Dallas Bar Association Construction Law Section, and is a frequent speaker on construction-related topics at legal and industry conferences

Practice Areas Explained

John W. Slates's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John W. Slates handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Dallas.

Business & Corporate Law in Dallas

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

John W. Slates is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Texas →

Construction Law in Dallas

John W. Slates is one of 40,302 construction attorneys indexed nationally. Browse construction attorneys in Texas →

Civil Litigation in Dallas

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

John W. Slates is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Texas →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Dallas

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 Dallas 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 venue, 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.

Dallas Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Dallas-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Texas attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Dallas or all attorneys in Texas.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About John W. Slates

Where is John W. Slates's law office located?
John W. Slates's law practice is located in Dallas, Texas. The firm is Slates Harwell Campbell LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John W. Slates handle?
John W. Slates focuses on business, construction, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Texas.
Where did John W. Slates go to law school?
John W. Slates earned their education at (—, 1995); (—, 1995).
How can I contact John W. Slates for a consultation?
You can contact John W. Slates directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John W. Slates received?
John W. Slates's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Inaugural Class (2017 - present).

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Dallas Choose John W. Slates

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John W. Slates's practice in the field of business, construction, and litigation.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering business, construction, and litigation, John W. Slates can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Dallas

A Dallas-based practice means John W. Slates attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues John W. Slates Handles in Dallas

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John W. Slates has experience with under Texas law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John W. Slates directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find John W. Slates Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Dallas commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like John W. Slates.

John W. Slates attorney John W. Slates lawyer John W. Slates Dallas John W. Slates Texas John W. Slates reviews John W. Slates contact Slates Harwell Campbell LLP law firm business attorney in Dallas business lawyer Dallas best business attorney Dallas top rated business lawyer near me business attorney Texas find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with John W. Slates directly.

John W. Slates's Practice Areas & Specializations

Education & Law School Background

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Georgetown University
- 1995
—
Georgetown University
- 1995

Awards & Professional Honors

Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Construction Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Construction
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Inaugural Class (2017 - present)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers & Partners USA Guide
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Construction (Texas) (2016 – 2022)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers in America
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Construction Law, Texas (2013 - 2023)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Monthly
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — (Construction Litigation) (A
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Thomson Reuters
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Service)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — (Construction Litigation, Construction Surety) (A
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Lawyer
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , September 2, 2013
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Construction (Dallas/Fort Worth)
- 2025

Client Reviews & Ratings — John W. Slates

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