James

R. Ray, III

Shareholder
Austin
1717 West 6th Street, Suite 250
Austin, TX 78703
D.512.391.6177
E.jray@munsch.com

Overview

As a walk-on defensive back on the 2005 National Championship football team for The University of Texas, James developed a strong work ethic and team-oriented attitude. After graduating from UT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, James buckled his chinstrap again and worked as a stuntman and extra on the first season (2006-2007) of the NBC TV program entitled “Friday Night Lights.”

When his playing days were done, James hung up his cleats and transitioned into the environmental and real estate arena. As a field chemist for one of North America’s leading providers of environmental, energy, and industrial services, James was responsible for handling, transporting, and disposing of hazardous materials. James is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Later, as a Project Manager for one of the nation's largest engineering and environmental consulting firms, James performed due diligence and consulting work, including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, on more than one hundred real estate transactions.

James returned to Waco, Texas, his hometown, to attend Baylor Law School. He graduated with honors and was selected by his professors to compete on Baylor’s prestigious mock trial and moot court teams. During law school, James also completed an externship for the Honorable United States District Judge Reed O’ Connor.

Today, James serves as Managing Shareholder for Munsch Hardt’s Austin office and focuses his practice on real property, intellectual property, and consumer finance disputes, including: Truth-in-Lending Act claims; Texas Finance Code compliance; condemnation matters; administrative and regulatory environmental issues at the State and local government level; and the prosecution and defense of disputes involving trademark, patent, and copyright infringement. Additionally, James advises clients on the development, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property rights, including securing registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and obtaining copyright registrations with the United State Copyright Office.

Education

  • Baylor University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
    • Order of the Barristers
    • American Bar Association “Best Advocate” Award
    • Baylor Law Intellectual Property and Advocacy Award
    • Dawson & Sodd Moot Court Competition Finalist and Top 3 Speaker
    • Brian J. Serr Excellence in Advocacy Award
  • The University of Texas at Austin, B.S.
    • 2005 College Football National Champion
    • All Big XII Academic Team
    •  UT Athletic Director's Honor Roll 

Admissions

  • Texas
  • United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas

Achievements

  • Austin Monthly – Austin's Top Attorneys (2022-2023)
  • Honorable Lee Yeakel Intellectual Property Inn of Court ("Inn")
  • Woodward/White, Inc. – Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Intellectual Property (2026); Best Lawyers in America, Litigation – Real Estate (2026)

  • Memberships

    • Austin Bar Association (2017-present)
    • Austin Young Lawyers Association (2017-present)
    • Austin Technology Council
    • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (2011-2016)
    • Dallas Bar Association (2011-2016)
    • Dallas Longhorn Club (Advisory Board Member, 2013-2014)
    • Dallas Safari Club
    • Dallas Texas Exes (Scholarship Committee, 2012-2013)
    • State Bar of Texas 
    • Texas Bar Foundation (Fellow)

Overview

As a walk-on defensive back on the 2005 National Championship football team for The University of Texas, James developed a strong work ethic and team-oriented attitude. After graduating from UT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, James buckled his chinstrap again and worked as a stuntman and extra on the first season (2006-2007) of the NBC TV program entitled “Friday Night Lights.”

When his playing days were done, James hung up his cleats and transitioned into the environmental and real estate arena. As a field chemist for one of North America’s leading providers of environmental, energy, and industrial services, James was responsible for handling, transporting, and disposing of hazardous materials. James is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Later, as a Project Manager for one of the nation's largest engineering and environmental consulting firms, James performed due diligence and consulting work, including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, on more than one hundred real estate transactions.

James returned to Waco, Texas, his hometown, to attend Baylor Law School. He graduated with honors and was selected by his professors to compete on Baylor’s prestigious mock trial and moot court teams. During law school, James also completed an externship for the Honorable United States District Judge Reed O’ Connor.

Today, James serves as Managing Shareholder for Munsch Hardt’s Austin office and focuses his practice on real property, intellectual property, and consumer finance disputes, including: Truth-in-Lending Act claims; Texas Finance Code compliance; condemnation matters; administrative and regulatory environmental issues at the State and local government level; and the prosecution and defense of disputes involving trademark, patent, and copyright infringement. Additionally, James advises clients on the development, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property rights, including securing registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and obtaining copyright registrations with the United State Copyright Office.

Experience

  • Consumer Finance

    Regularly represents financial technology companies in consumer finance disputes and compliance with federal and Texas consumer protection laws.

  • Condemnation

    Handled numerous condemnation proceedings resulting in recovery of compensation to the landowner significantly higher than the final offer of the

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  • Condemnation

    Served as second-chair trial counsel resulting in a jury verdict for the firm client in excess of $1.5 M when the condemning authority’s final offer was below $500,000.

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