Dennis W. Donley, Jr.

Dennis is a partner in the 100+-year-old law firm of Naman, Howell, Smith and Lee, PLLC. Dennis is chair of the firm’s Regulatory/Infrastructure and Government Relations Sections. His practice has primarily focused on work for telecommunications, utilities, litigation, and government relations. Dennis has successfully led multibillion dollar matters as well as represented clients and litigated cases across numerous jurisdictions. Additionally, Dennis was appointed to serve as Conventional Counsel and General Counsel for The Republican Party of Texas for a number of years while he has been at Naman Howell. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics.

Prior to joining the firm in 1998, Dennis clerked/interned for Justice James A. Baker of the Texas Supreme Court, Judge Paul Davis, 200th District Court Judge, Congressman Frank Lucas and even founded his own company, “Power Wash +”.

Dennis received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and his Bachelors Degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (summa cum laude) with double majors in Political Science and History. Dennis completed both his undergraduate and law school education in just over five years. 

The Best Lawyers in America® - Administrative / Regulatory Law, Utilities Law (2025 - present)

Austin Under 40 Awards -  Award Winner - Legal Category (2011)

Thomson Reuters Legal | Super Lawyers - Rising Star (2004, 2012 - 2014)

American Bar Association

Texas Young Lawyers Association Voter Education Committee, Member

Texas Young Lawyers Association Dropout Prevention Committee, Member

Austin Young Lawyers Association Bench-Bar Committee, Member

Austin Young Lawyers Association Community Service Committee, Member

Austin Young Lawyers Association Teen Court Committee, Member

Travis County Bar Association, Member

University of Texas Business Network-Austin, Chairman

Republican Party of Texas, General Counsel

Republican State Convention, Convention Council

Austin’s Young Men’s Business League (YMBL), President

Austin Under 40 Awards, Board of Directors

Austin Area Texas Exes, President

Outside of the office Dennis is very active in the community, he often volunteers his time and offers his services pro-bono to various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Teen Court, Adopt-a-School Program, Joy RX and the Austin Sunshine Camps.