Jay R. Downs

Director

A founder, director, and shareholder of Downs & Stanford, Mr. Downs has over thirty-five years of civil litigation experience. His practice focuses on the defense of personal injury and wrongful death cases, business litigation and family law. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocacy, Board Certified in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He has served as lead counsel in more than a hundred thirty jury and bench trials in counties all over Texas and in six other states.

Bar Admissions

State of Texas (1982)
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
United States District Court - Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas

Professional Affiliations

Dallas Bar Association
Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
State Bar of Texas
Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute
Co-Chairman, Primerus Defense Institute, Transportation Section, 2009-2010
Trucking Industry Defense Association
Council on Litigation Management
Vice Chair, Primerus Defense Institute, 2013-2014
Chair, Primerus Defense Institute, 2014-2015

Education

Baylor University, J.D., 1982
Baylor University, B.A., 1976

Certifications, Pro Hac Vice Admissions, and Honors

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Board Certified Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Pro HAC Vice Admissions: California, Montana, Kansas, Michigan, Illinois, and Mississippi
Super Lawyers 2006 to 2023
American Board of Trial Advocates

Publications

Columnist, Insurance Journal, 1996-1998.
"Unlearning Old Falsehoods About Trial," Insurance Journal, Volume 3, Number 14, September, 1997.
"A Guide to the Statute of Limitations in Professional Liability Suits," Insurance Journal, Volume 2, Number 7, July, 1996.
"Declaratory Judgment Actions: Who Pays the Insured's Legal Fees?" For the Defense, Volume 38, Number 2, February, 1996.
"The Phenomenon of Zinc Whisker Growth and the Rotary Switch," Metal Finishing Magazine, Volume 92, Number 6, August, 1994.
"Ten Ways a CPA Can be Sued," Today's CPA, November, 1992.
"The Affirmative Defense of Inability to Pay," Trial Lawyers Forum, June, 1992.
"Finding the Hidden Party," Trial Lawyers Forum, June 1992.

Practice Specialty:

Defense of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases, Subrogation, and Commercial Litigation.