History

Founded in 1866, Kemp Smith has 160 years of experience serving our clients, communities and profession. Kemp Smith is the second-oldest law firm in Texas, the largest law firm in El Paso and the only El Paso-based firm with offices in Austin and Las Cruces.

Our partners have been selected to the 2025 Texas Super Lawyers,  2025 Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2026 Best Lawyers in America, and listed in Chambers USA and Chambers Global. The following were selected for inclusion into Best Lawyers:  Gene Wolf, Deborah C. Trejo, Drew Miller, Carl E. Ryan, Clara (C.B.) Burns, Ken Slavin, and James W. Brewer and Gene Wolf.  Super Lawyers:  Valerie Auger, James W. Brewer, Clara C.B. Burns, David M. Mirazo, Mark Osborn, Ken Slavin, Carl Ryan, Gilbert Sanchez, Deborah Trejo and Gene Wolf. Super Lawyers Rising Stars: Ancel Escobar, Elisa Samaniego, Michelle Esparza and Nick Jimenez. Chambers USA: Charles C. High, Gilbert Sanchez and Clara C.B. Burns. Chambers Global: Charles C. High and Clara C.B. Burns.

Best Lawyers named Clara C.B. Burns 2019, 2021-2025 El Paso Litigation – Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year and Gene Wolf 2019-2025 Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year.  Clara C.B. Burns was named El Paso Employment Law - Management Lawyer of the Year.

The firm is active in the American Bar Association, the State Bars of Texas and New Mexico, the El Paso Bar Association and the Austin Bar Association. Kemp Smith was acknowledged with eight Tier 1 rankings in the following practice areas: Corporate Law; Employment Law - Management; Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants; Real Estate Law; Trusts and Estates Law; and recognized with three Tier 2 rankings: Administrative/Regulatory Law; Government Relations Practice; Water Law by Best Lawyers.