Allensworth & Porter Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary

What began 20 years ago with one lawyer has evolved into a firm with nine attorneys, hundreds of clients, and numerous accolades by distinguished industry groups.

Since opening the doors in 1995, Allensworth & Porter has become one of the largest construction law firms in central Texas, representing clients in all facets of the construction industry, including architects, engineers, contractors, owners, developers, municipalities, utilities, and suppliers.

Austin is growing faster than any other city in the nation with a population of more than 1 million, and Allensworth has expanded to meet the needs of some of the leading names in the industry. To celebrate this achievement, our attorneys took a moment to reflect on the past 20 years and take a look toward the future.

Q: What makes Allensworth different than other law firms you’ve worked for in the past? Is it the clients, projects, culture, or a mix of the three? 

A: It’s a mix. One thing is our size. We’re large enough to have a deep bench when serving clients, but it’s small enough to be flexible and nimble. Another thing is our clients—we have sophisticated clients who appreciate direct, candid advice.

Q: What excites you most about the firm’s next 20 years?

A: We’re geographically in the middle of a dynamic construction area. We’re excited about expanding our reach and serving clients in a larger geographic area. We’re also excited by how uniquely situated we are to serve governmental entities with Joe Basham as a Rollingwood council member and Amy Emerson with years of experience representing governmental entities in novel areas of the law.

Q: For attorneys who have practiced at the firm for more than 10 years—how has Allensworth changed over the past decade? 

A: Throughout the last 10 years, we’ve assembled a team of seasoned partners and attorneys who can cater to clients involved in any aspect of the design and construction industry, assisting clients from “cradle to grave.” We can take clients from drafting contracts at project initiation to project closeout and then dispute resolution, if necessary. Another important change is the firm’s evolution from representing primarily architects and engineers, to representing clients in all areas of the construction industry, including owners, developers, and commercial contractors.

Q: For attorneys who have been with the firm for fewer than 5 years—what attracted you to working at Allensworth?

A: Attorney Sara Whittington “Whitney” May joined the firm in 2012 and was drawn to its reputation, direct client contact, potential for growth in the construction field, and the opportunity to work on interesting local projects.

Will Allensworth, an associate who joined in 2010, appreciates working in a small, collegial environment with a close-knit group of lawyers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance.

Q: If you had to describe Allensworth in a sentence or two, what would you say?

A: We are versatile, persuasive, and tough advocates. We look for common sense resolutions, but are willing and able to take cases all the way to trial or arbitration if needed. Overall, we all have a great time practicing law together!