John J. Davis, III

John J. Davis, III is a Houston-based founder and managing member who practices business, corporate, transactional, intellectual property, real estate, and commercial litigation law. He advises early-stage companies, serial entrepreneurs, private funds, investment groups, and publicly traded corporations on entity formation, financing, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, dispute resolution, corporate best practices, and business strategy. His work centers on practical solutions that help companies start, manage, protect, and expand their operations.

Davis earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston in 2012. He previously completed a Ph.D. in virology and gene therapy through UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Science in 2006, after earning a B.S. in biology from Baylor University in 2000. This combined legal and scientific education informs his work with technology commercialization, intellectual property, life sciences, and companies facing complex operational decisions.

Davis has broad outside general counsel experience with startup, established, large, and small businesses. He counsels clients on operational liability, entity structuring and restructuring, fundraising, financing, and intellectual property protection and licensing. His litigation experience includes seeking temporary and permanent injunctions in intellectual property infringement, online business disparagement, and partnership disputes. He also handles trademark filings, office action responses, oppositions, consent and licensing negotiations, and mediations and settlements involving partners, commercial transactions, and landlord-tenant disputes.

John J. Davis, III brings added perspective from prior work as a translational research scientist in oncology, immunology, gene therapy, and genetic engineering, along with experience as a small business owner. He has also served as counsel, mentor, or advisor to companies through startup, incubator, and accelerator programs in Texas. Licensed in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Wyoming, he combines legal analysis, scientific training, and business judgment to guide clients through growth, protection, and dispute challenges.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder & Managing Attorney, Kearney, McWilliams & Davis, PLLC
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Colorado Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of New Mexico
• Member, Wyoming State Bar

Licensed State

• Texas
• New Mexico
• Texas
• Wyoming

Education

• University of Texas – M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
  PhD in Virology & Gene Therapy
• South Texas College of Law Houston
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Baylor University
  BS in Biology

Awards & Badges