An Interview with Chris Jackman – Lawyer and Founder of The Jackman Law Firm

Chris Jackman is an accomplished Texas lawyer who was born and raised in Dallas. He holds degrees from Texas A&M, The University of Wisconsin, and Creighton University. He is married and lives with his wife and their two dogs in Dallas, Texas.

After working briefly for a law firm right out of law school, Chris Jackman became motivated to create a different kind of law firm. His vision was to create a law firm that put his clients first and treated them like family, where he could work tirelessly every day to help his clients, and most of all, to win and win big for his clients. 

Since the successful launch of his firm, Chris has made his goals a reality. He has litigated thousands of complex cases, tried dozens of cases to judges and juries, authored two legal books, spoken at legal seminars, and won hundreds of cases for his clients.

Chris Jackman is active in helping the communities he serves through his law practice. He volunteers for Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals to the elderly, and Reading Partners, which helps disadvantaged school-age children learn how to read and write. He has also established a 501c3 charity called Hearing Help, which helps provide hearing aids to school-age children.

We spoke with Chris Jackman where he shared how his firm came to fruition and what it is that makes him so successful. 

How did you get started?   

I began my career as an attorney working for a small firm in Seattle, Washington in 2012.  I was only there for a few months before I went off and started my own firm.  

Since that time, I’ve focused on representing people in a couple of different areas of law, primarily family law, bankruptcy, and injury law.

What inspired you to start your law firm?  

My inspiration came from a strong drive I had to help people and create a firm that I wanted to work at, a place that would inspire other people to want to join. 

Law is notoriously slow to evolve and change, but even in 2012, I saw places where I could leverage technology and people to create a better experience for my clients and a more profitable business for me and my associates.

How does your business generate revenue? 

I make money by running my law firm.  I also co-own a residential real estate company based in Washington State.  We are small but beginning to see tremendous growth in the area of residential real estate and the opportunity to grow in this space.

How long did it take for your law firm to become profitable? 

I was profitable my first year in business, but the profit was small.  Since that time, I’ve seen my revenues nearly double year after year in my firm’s core businesses.  I’ve also expanded into others of law, including personal injury, and I’ve co-founded a residential real estate company.

When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?   

I had doubts that I would be successful and I still do. The fear of failure, uncertainty, and not knowing how you’re going to get from one month to the next can be scary, but fear and the fear of failure, in particular, can be very motivating.  I’ve always been guided by the belief that if you show up to work every day, things will work out.  I’ve also learned that when I double down and take bigger risks, that’s when I see the biggest rewards and the most growth.  

When I think and act small, is when I see the worst results. So I always tell myself to work hard and swing for the fences.

How did you attract your first client?  

My first client was actually a referral, from another attorney with who I’d gone to watch a trial with. In my early days, I would go to watch trials in court to observe and learn more about how to be a good lawyer. I connected with him and he became a great referral source and friend.

Chris Jackman is an accomplished lawyer in Texas

What do you think it is that makes you successful as a lawyer?  

I think the most basic element of my success as a lawyer has been an unwavering belief that I can help people and that my vision is the correct one. Couple this with the fact that I’m willing to take huge chances and risks along the way.  

I think if you are timid and a small thinker, it’s all but impossible to achieve large levels of success.

Learn more about the lawyer Chris Jackman on his website.