Dear Friends,

Today marks a special milestone for Gray Reed—our 40th anniversary. As I reflect on this remarkable journey, I'm filled with profound gratitude for everyone who has been part of our story.

It all began with a simple idea: practice law with people you like and care about. On August 7, 1985, seven attorneys started our firm in Houston with fewer than 10 clients and a commitment to putting those clients first in everything they did. That philosophy has guided us through four decades of growth, challenge and change.

Today, Gray Reed has grown from Houston to Dallas to Waco—154 attorneys across Texas serving over 3,000 clients across 15 practice groups. We've expanded beyond traditional legal services with Gray Reed Advisory and GRPR, always with the goal of serving our clients' needs from every angle.

But our success isn't measured in numbers alone—it's measured in relationships. Through economic recessions, the dot-com boom and bust, 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the global pandemic, our clients have trusted us through it all. In courtrooms and boardrooms alike, we've had the privilege of standing by our clients through their biggest challenges and greatest opportunities. Their trust has been the foundation of everything we've built, and we never take that responsibility lightly.

As we celebrate this anniversary, my gratitude extends to so many who have shaped Gray Reed into what it is today:

To our clients—past and present—thank you for entrusting us with your most important legal matters. Your confidence in our abilities has driven us to continually raise our standards and expand our capabilities. You've allowed us to be part of your success stories, and that privilege motivates us every single day.

To our alumni—the attorneys and staff who helped build our foundation over the years—your contributions live on in our culture and values. You helped establish the traditions of excellence and client service that define us today. Many of you have gone on to remarkable careers, and we're proud to have been part of your journey.

To our current attorneys and staff—you are the heart of Gray Reed. Your dedication to our clients, your commitment to excellence and your embodiment of our values make our firm what it is. You don’t just work at Gray Reed; you are the very essence of Gray Reed, continuously shaping it from our founders' vision to our shared vision for the future.

To our professional partners, referral sources and friends in the legal community—thank you for your collaboration and trust over the years. The relationships we've built within the legal profession have enriched our practice and benefited our clients immeasurably.

To our families—the partners, spouses and children who support us—thank you for understanding the demands of our profession and for being patient when long hours were necessary to serve our clients well.

As we look toward the future, we do so with the same foundational principles that guided our founders 40 years ago. We remain committed to practicing law with people we like and care about, always putting our clients first, and building lasting relationships based on trust and exceptional service.

To mark this 40th anniversary and honor our founding partner Jim McGraw, who passed late last year, we've established an endowed scholarship at the University of Houston Law Center, Jim’s alma mater. Jim embodied the values that built Gray Reed, and this scholarship commemorates our four decades of client service and ensures his legacy lives on by supporting the next generation of attorneys who share his commitment to excellence.

The legal profession will continue to evolve, and we'll evolve with it. But our commitment to our clients and to each other will remain constant. That's the legacy of our first 40 years, and it's the promise of our next 40 years and beyond.

Thank you for being part of the Gray Reed story.
 

With sincere gratitude,

 

Kyle Sanders
Managing Partner