texas construction attorneys–william allensworth, wade porter, cano, ryan, basham

Our Practice

Allensworth and Porter, L.L.P. is a firm of eight lawyers representing the construction industry, primarily in the resolution of disputes arising out of the construction process. Although some of the firm's lawyers occasionally serve as arbitrators, mediators, or expert witnesses, the vast majority of the firm's work consists of advocating its clients' positions in litigation and arbitration proceedings. The firm has an extensive administrative practice representing clients in matters involving Texas professional registration and in disputes heard by the State Office of Administrative Hearings and various procurement agencies. The firm also engages in an office practice, representing its clients in negotiating and drafting contract documents and assisting in lien filings and documenting contract administration. Finally, the firm maintains a small legislative practice, primarily in bill monitoring and in organizing and preparing testimony for legislative hearings.

Our Attorneys*

The firm was founded on January 1, 1995, by William R. Allensworth, who had over 20 years experience as a litigation partner in a major Texas firm, and who is Board Certified in Civil Litigation. Mr. Allensworth is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law, where he teaches courses in Construction Law and Construction Litigation. Mr. Allensworth has tried scores of jury cases and has handled appeals in both state and federal courts, including several of the more significant construction decisions rendered by the Texas appellate courts.

Wade Porter joined the firm in 2003, coming from Haynes and Boone, where he served as the Austin office's managing partner. Mr. Porter practices business, environmental, and professional malpractice litigation.

Matthew B. Cano, who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law, has 18 years experience in civil litigation, the last several years of which involved representing architects and engineers in professional liability disputes. Matthew C. Ryan joined the firm in 2000 after practicing in Dallas with the Canterbury Stuber firm, and now litigates construction claims, handles the firm's lien practice, and represents architects and engineers in disciplinary matters before their respective boards. Joe Basham joined the firm after graduating with high honors from law school and became a partner with the firm in 2007. Travis Brown and Alissa Zachary work as associates with the firm and have both graduated from the UT School of Law, having taken Prof. Allensworth's classes in Construction Law.

Our Office

We are located in the center of downtown Austin at the corner of Congress Avenue and Seventh Street in the Sampson Building, the oldest structure on the avenue. Abner Cook, who previously had built several of Austin's landmarks, including the Governor's Mansion, completed the building in 1859 for the Sampson family, who operated it as a general store. Since that time, the structure has housed retail and business offices, restaurants, doctors, and lawyers, and has been continuously at the center of business in Austin for more than 140 years. The stone structure is built in the Italianate style with distinctive arched windows. An Austin landmark, the building was placed on The National Register of Historical Places in 1978 and dedicated as a Texas Historical Landmark in 1986.

Our Billing Policy

allensworth & porter-austin, texas construction law firm-william allensworth-wade porter-matt cano-matthew ryan-joe basham Allensworth and Porter, L.L.P. was established to provide cost-effective legal services to the construction industry. We believe that the quality of our services compares favorably with that of any large firm in Texas. However, because we are well managed, have reasonable income expectations, and have a loyal and promptly-paying clientele, we have been able to bill our services at reasonable rates.

Our billing is detailed and is based primarily upon billed hourly time. We generally do not charge clients for the expense of telephone calls, faxes, or computerized legal research, and our photocopying charges are nominal.

* Unless otherwise noted, Not Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.