Mc Ginnis Lochridge & Kilgore: Ray Chester

For individuals and businesses across Texas facing high-stakes legal disputes, the need for a truly exceptional trial lawyer cannot be overstated. When the stakes are significant, whether in a complex business disagreement, a severe personal injury claim, or a challenging insurance coverage battle, having an attorney with a proven track record in the courtroom is paramount. In Austin, Texas, and indeed across the United States, Ray Chester of McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore stands out as a highly respected and formidable civil trial lawyer, offering unparalleled expertise and a dedicated approach to complex litigation.

Ray Chester is a civil trial lawyer with a profound depth of experience representing clients in high-profile cases across the United States. His practice spans both state and federal courts, where he has successfully tried more than 35 jury trials to verdict, along with a similar number of bench trials, arbitrations, and temporary injunction hearings. What truly sets Ray apart is his double Board Certification in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization – a recognition that signifies a superior level of experience and knowledge in these demanding fields. His commitment to clients is evident in his strategic approach and his ability to navigate intricate legal challenges to achieve favorable outcomes, earning him a reputation for being prompt, responsive, and highly effective.

McGinnis Lochridge, the esteemed firm where Ray Chester practices, boasts a 90-year history of protecting client interests in continuously changing landscapes, from cutting-edge technology to oil and gas litigation and regulatory matters. They are known for providing senior-level attention to every legal matter, ensuring maximum value, efficiency, and results. The firm's comprehensive breadth of practice areas allows clients to rely on them as a trusted, single-source advisor for their most challenging business and legal needs.

The Austin office of McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore is ideally situated at 600 Congress Ave. #2100, Austin, TX 78701, USA. This prestigious address places them in the very heart of downtown Austin, providing excellent accessibility for clients from across the city and throughout Texas. The central location in the capital offers convenient access to state and federal courthouses, as well as various governmental agencies, which is beneficial for the types of complex litigation and regulatory matters the firm handles. Austin's well-developed road network, including proximity to major highways like I-35 and the MoPac Expressway, ensures straightforward travel for clients. Public transportation options are also readily available in the downtown core, making the firm easily reachable for those who prefer not to drive.

Ray Chester, within the broader scope of McGinnis Lochridge's extensive practice areas, primarily focuses on high-stakes civil trial matters, particularly in:

• Complex Business Litigation: Representing clients in intricate commercial disputes and arbitrations. This includes a track record of successfully first-chairing major construction disputes, winning arbitrations for charitable organizations (including significant counterclaim awards), and negotiating favorable settlements for landowners in high-value arbitrations. He is adept at obtaining contested temporary restraining orders and injunctions in commercial cases.
• Personal Injury, Products Liability & Wrongful Death: Achieving substantial success for both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving severe injuries, defective products, and fatalities. His notable successes include obtaining significant verdicts and settlements in cases involving medical products (like Botox injuries and Ortho Evra birth control patch failures), nursing home abuse, and defective automotive components. He was notably the first attorney in the United States to file and successfully prosecute failure-to-warn claims against the manufacturer of the ORTHO EVRA® birth control patch, personally developing the liability case for what became a major pharmaceutical mass tort.
• Insurance Coverage Litigation: Handling first-party cases and, more frequently, acting as personal counsel for defendants in high-stakes insured litigation where coverage disputes or the potential for excess verdicts exist.
• Appellate Practice: Ray and his team competently handle their own appeals, with numerous published appellate opinions affirming their trial court successes, defending against mandamus actions, and managing other appellate proceedings. Ray has argued before the Texas Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and various other courts of appeals.

Beyond Ray Chester's specific focus, McGinnis Lochridge also offers a wide array of services including Corporate & Business Transactions, Real Estate, Tax Planning & Controversy, Oil & Gas, Environmental, Labor & Employment, Wealth Preservation and Estate Planning, and more, providing a comprehensive legal resource for businesses and individuals.

Ray Chester and McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore stand out due to several key features and highlights that establish their reputation for excellence:

• Double Board Certified Expertise: Ray Chester's Board Certifications in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization demonstrate a verified higher level of knowledge and experience in these specific areas, a distinction held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys.
• Extensive Trial Experience: With over 35 jury trials to verdict and numerous bench trials and arbitrations, Ray Chester possesses invaluable hands-on courtroom experience crucial for high-stakes litigation.
• National Recognition: Ray is consistently recognized in prestigious lists such as The Best Lawyers in America® (including "Lawyer of the Year" awards for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs in Austin for multiple years), Texas Super Lawyers (since 2003), and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyer. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.
• Pioneering Legal Work: Ray was instrumental in developing the liability case for one of the largest pharmaceutical mass torts in the country, showcasing his ability to break new ground in complex litigation.
• Client Responsiveness and Diligence: As one client noted, the firm is "very prompt" and "very responsive to my emails," demonstrating a commitment to timely and supportive client communication. The positive review highlights their willingness to "work with me in that situation such that I complete all the work from my side before I leave for my surgery," indicating flexibility and client-focused service.
• Comprehensive Firm Resources: As part of McGinnis Lochridge, Ray Chester's clients benefit from the resources of a full-service firm with over 90 years of history, extensive practice areas, and a deep bench of talented attorneys.
• Strategic and Results-Oriented: The firm's overall ethos is to provide senior-level attention and deliver pragmatic solutions, ensuring maximum value and favorable results for clients.

As a highly specialized and distinguished law firm focusing on complex civil litigation, McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore, and specifically attorney Ray Chester, do not typically advertise "promotions" or "special offers" in the consumer-oriented sense. Their value proposition is built on their exceptional experience, proven track record, and the strategic advantages they bring to high-stakes legal matters. Prospective clients facing significant civil disputes are encouraged to contact the Austin office for a consultation. This initial discussion provides an opportunity to evaluate the complexities of your case, understand the firm's strategic approach, and learn how Ray Chester's extensive trial expertise can be leveraged to achieve the best possible outcome. Their focus is on delivering superior legal representation and long-term client success rather than short-term incentives.

For individuals and businesses in Texas seeking top-tier civil trial advocacy for complex business disputes, personal injury, products liability, or insurance coverage litigation, reaching out to Ray Chester at McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore is the first step:

Address: 600 Congress Ave. #2100, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Phone: (512) 495-6019

Their team is prepared to offer the dedicated and highly skilled legal representation you need.

For locals throughout Texas, particularly those in Austin and surrounding areas, who are facing high-stakes civil litigation, Ray Chester at McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore is an exceptionally suitable choice. His double Board Certification in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization is a rare and powerful indicator of elite expertise, providing Texans with confidence in his capabilities. The firm's central Austin location ensures convenient access, and the established reputation of McGinnis Lochridge provides a solid foundation of comprehensive legal support. While one review expresses a negative sentiment without specific details, the overwhelming evidence of Ray Chester's professional accolades, extensive trial successes (including groundbreaking cases), and strong client feedback regarding responsiveness and diligence, paints a clear picture of a highly effective and respected legal advocate. For Texans seeking a lawyer with a proven ability to navigate complex and high-profile civil trial matters, Ray Chester offers the skill, experience, and dedication required to protect your interests and achieve favorable results.