Lena Silva
Associate
,Direct: 713.951.6291
Fax: 713.951.3720
Direct: 713.951.6291
Fax: 713.951.3720
Lena is a zealous trial lawyer whose practice is fulfilled by her daily interactions with people – clients, counsel, and the broader community – in matters of all sizes.
Among her greatest privileges as a lawyer is the opportunity to earn the trust of her clients, providing sound, strategic guidance in moments of need. In return, clients trust Lena to face any challenge head-on with meticulous preparation and empathetic counsel in pursuit of meaningful results. Lena is tenacious in the pursuit of positive outcomes for her clients. From complex, bet-the-billion-dollar business litigation to representing startups or individuals, she puts the same care, accessibility, and attention into each engagement. The breadth and diversity of her case load has led to her invaluable experience first-chairing a jury trial, second-chairing two bench trials, arguing multiple evidentiary hearings, including as appellate counsel, taking and defending dozens of key depositions, including of experts, and preparing many clients, including native Spanish-speakers, for their time on the stand. As an advocate, Lena especially embraces the nexus where diligent planning and improvisation must meet to advance the goals of her clients in the courtroom. Simply put, Lena is a lawyer you want on your team.
In addition to her practice, Lena is a dedicated community ambassador, ally, mentor, and relationship builder. Lena is the President-Elect of the 1500+ member Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA), Houston Arts Alliance, and the Houston Hispanic Bar Association (HisBA) Board, earning a HisBA President’s Award every year since stepping into leadership in 2021. In all her roles, Lena champions mentorship and making invaluable professional development resources available to aspiring lawyers throughout the state. Lena also serves as an Associate of McMurtry College at Rice University.
Prior to joining the Firm, Lena was a Law Clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge David Briones where she assiduously researched and wrote, while also gaining valuable courtroom experience and perspective from the other side of the bench. At The University of Texas School of Law, Lena first and second chaired two jury trials through the Criminal Defense Clinic prior to graduating. In addition to trial work, Lena has insight into appellate advocacy from her time as a Texas Supreme Court Intern to Justice Debra Lehrmann. Prior to law school, Lena was a Ninth Grade English teacher and competitive standup comedian. As of last count, she’s hiked in 34 of the 63 U.S. National Parks.
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Representative experience
- First-chair trial counsel representing an individual client against an automotive service chain in a consumer claim concerning faulty oil change. Led the jury charge, conducted voir dire, presented and cross-examined witnesses, gave closing argument at trial.
- Obtained summary judgement for an oil and gas company against allegations that defective casing caused $20 million damages and well failures. Drafted and argued no evidence summary judgement.
- Represented a multinational energy company in a breach of contract dispute with an aviation vendor. Led the drafting of pretrial motions and assisted in the preparation of witnesses. Matter resulted in a favorable settlement on eve of trial.
- Represented a travel company in litigation against a major airline over alleged violation of the airline website’s terms of use. Managed discovery, drafted discovery responses; led meet and confirm conferences. The matter resolved on favorable terms.
- Representing a local church in a first amendment property dispute. Gave the opening statement at mediation and wrote final mediation statement; prepared witnesses for trial.
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Honors & Awards
- Texas Minority Counsel Program Rising Star Award, 2024
- Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation in Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Houston Young Lawyers Association Outstanding Director Award, 2023-2024
- Houston Hispanic Bar Association President’s Award, 2022
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Professional Activities & Memberships
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- o Elected in the 2024 class of Fellows that include 1/3 of 1% of lawyers in Texas.
- Houston Hispanic Bar Association (HisBA)
- Board of Directors (2021 – Present)
- Houston Young Lawyers Association
- President-Elect (2024-2025)
- Board of Directors (2023-2024)
- Allyship Committee, Co-Chair (2022-2024)
- Texas Young Lawyers Association Awards HYLA Allyship Committee Outstanding DEI Initiative, 2024
- American Bar Association Awards HYLA Allyship Committee for Comprehensive Programming, 2023-2024
- Spanish Committee, Co-Chair
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service – Board Member/HisBA Representative (2022 – Present)
- Houston Arts Alliance – Board of Directors (2024 – Present)
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston First Ward Civic Council
- Special Events Committee Member
- Associate of McMurtry College at Rice University
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
Lena Silva
Associate,
Houston
Direct: 713.951.6291
Fax: 713.951.3720
Direct: 713.951.6291
Fax: 713.951.3720
In addition to her practice, Lena is a dedicated community ambassador, ally, mentor, and relationship builder. Lena is the President-Elect of the 1500+ member Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA), Houston Arts Alliance, and the Houston Hispanic Bar Association (HisBA) Board, earning a HisBA President’s Award every year since stepping into leadership in 2021. In all her roles, Lena champions mentorship and making invaluable professional development resources available to aspiring lawyers throughout the state. Lena also serves as an Associate of McMurtry College at Rice University.
Prior to joining the Firm, Lena was a Law Clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge David Briones where she assiduously researched and wrote, while also gaining valuable courtroom experience and perspective from the other side of the bench. At The University of Texas School of Law, Lena first and second chaired two jury trials through the Criminal Defense Clinic prior to graduating. In addition to trial work, Lena has insight into appellate advocacy from her time as a Texas Supreme Court Intern to Justice Debra Lehrmann. Prior to law school, Lena was a Ninth Grade English teacher and competitive standup comedian. As of last count, she’s hiked in 34 of the 63 U.S. National Parks.
-
Representative experience
- First-chair trial counsel representing an individual client against an automotive service chain in a consumer claim concerning faulty oil change. Led the jury charge, conducted voir dire, presented and cross-examined witnesses, gave closing argument at trial.
- Obtained summary judgement for an oil and gas company against allegations that defective casing caused $20 million damages and well failures. Drafted and argued no evidence summary judgement.
- Represented a multinational energy company in a breach of contract dispute with an aviation vendor. Led the drafting of pretrial motions and assisted in the preparation of witnesses. Matter resulted in a favorable settlement on eve of trial.
- Represented a travel company in litigation against a major airline over alleged violation of the airline website’s terms of use. Managed discovery, drafted discovery responses; led meet and confirm conferences. The matter resolved on favorable terms.
- Representing a local church in a first amendment property dispute. Gave the opening statement at mediation and wrote final mediation statement; prepared witnesses for trial.
-
Honors & Awards
- Texas Minority Counsel Program Rising Star Award, 2024
- Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation in Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Houston Young Lawyers Association Outstanding Director Award, 2023-2024
- Houston Hispanic Bar Association President’s Award, 2022
-
Professional Activities & Memberships
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- o Elected in the 2024 class of Fellows that include 1/3 of 1% of lawyers in Texas.
- Houston Hispanic Bar Association (HisBA)
- Board of Directors (2021 – Present)
- Houston Young Lawyers Association
- President-Elect (2024-2025)
- Board of Directors (2023-2024)
- Allyship Committee, Co-Chair (2022-2024)
- Texas Young Lawyers Association Awards HYLA Allyship Committee Outstanding DEI Initiative, 2024
- American Bar Association Awards HYLA Allyship Committee for Comprehensive Programming, 2023-2024
- Spanish Committee, Co-Chair
- Houston Lawyer Referral Service – Board Member/HisBA Representative (2022 – Present)
- Houston Arts Alliance – Board of Directors (2024 – Present)
- Houston Bar Association
- Houston First Ward Civic Council
- Special Events Committee Member
- Associate of McMurtry College at Rice University
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
October 10, 2024
May 5, 2024
March 3, 2023