Each year, the Texas Bar Foundation honors those who exemplify the highest standards of the legal profession. This year, William H. Ford of San Antonio has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award from the Texas Bar Foundation. The Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award was established in June 2002 by Beck Redden in honor and memory of Mr. Secrest, a gift trial lawyer and a founding partner of the firm. The award recognizes an active trial lawyer who, in his or her practice, has demonstrated high ethical and moral standards and has demonstrated exceptional professional conduct, thus enhancing the image of the trial lawyer.

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William H. "Bill" Ford

William "Bill" Ford has practiced law in the state of Texas for 45 years and is a shareholder at Ford Murray, PLLC. Over the course of his career, Bill has handled a broad range of cases covering commercial litigation, family law property divisions and custody issues, theft of trade secrets, insurance issues, construction disputes, contract claims, fiduciary litigation, professional negligence claims, wrongful death claims and employment, among others.

Bill has served as lead counsel in more than 50 jury trials and a far greater number of significant non-jury proceedings and arbitrations. He recently negotiated to completion two of the largest marital property division cases in the United States. He has successfully represented national corporations in federal and state litigation within and outside of Texas.

Bill has repeatedly been recognized for his legal expertise; most significantly, the American College of Trial Lawyers inducted Bill as a Fellow in 2018. He is an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is also a Fellow of the peer-selected Litigation Counsel of America. He has consistently been recognized as a Super Lawyer by his peers in Texas.

Community service is central to Bill’s life. He currently serves on the board of directors of San Antonio Life Academy, a nonprofit that provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to further their personal development goals. He is a former mayor and city council member of Hill Country Village. Bill has held numerous positions within the Bar association to include serving as President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association. Bill is a proud graduate of Baylor University and the South Texas College of Law.

Mr. Ford was publicly recognized at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner held on June 20, 2025, at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. A special thank you to Beck Redden LLP for their continued annual contribution to the Texas Bar Foundation in support of this award.

Since 1965, distinguished Texas attorneys serving as Texas Bar Foundation Fellows have come together to drive positive change and support communities across the state. Their generosity has made the Texas Bar Foundation the largest charitably funded bar foundation in the nation, awarding over $28 million in grants. These funds support nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing the rule of law and the justice system in Texas, with a focus on legal assistance for the underserved, the administration of justice, ethics in the legal profession, legal research and education, and strengthening public understanding of the judiciary.

Becoming a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas. Less than one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to join each year, acknowledging their significant contributions to the legal profession and their dedication to service. To learn more about the Texas Bar Foundation, its Fellows, and the lasting impact made, visit www.txbf.org.

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Becoming a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas. Less than one percent of Texas attorneys are invited to join each year.