April Farris
has been named one of the nation’s “Rising Stars” in appellate practice by Law360. She is one of 176 honorees under age 40, only five of whom are from commercial litigation boutiques, to be recognized for “legal accomplishments that transcend their age.”
The honor reflects April’s growing practice in Texas and around the country, including recent work on behalf of clients such as IBM in obtaining a Sixth Circuit affirmance on an issue of duplicative damages, and the San Jacinto River Authority in obtaining a key procedural victory in the Texas Supreme Court in connection with SJRA’s dispute with three cities over contracts that secure $500 million in public bonds. April made both oral arguments before the courts while on family leave.
April is also recognized as a “Texas Rising Star” by Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers. In 2019, she was honored with Abilene Christian University’s prestigious Gutenberg Award. A prolific public speaker on appellate practice and litigation trends, April has spoken at advanced trial and appellate courses throughout the state, as well as at Harvard Law School. She also chronicles important appellate developments on her #appellatetwitter Twitter feed. April currently serves as president of the Houston Federalist Society Lawyer’s Chapter and as a council member of the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section.