BEAUMONT – Some of Texas’ most recognizable law firms seem to be struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they have applied and received millions of dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program.
On Monday, the Small Business Administration and Treasury Department revealed the names of 660,000 small businesses and nonprofits that received at least $150,000 in funding from the PPA.
The SBA loan data can be explored at The Washington Post website.
The data shows dozens of Texas law firms received a loan of a million dollars or more, including Beaumont’s own Provost Umphrey.
Provost Umphrey, which specializes in toxic tort litigation, reported 99 jobs supported. The firm’s loan of $1-2 million was approved April 13.
Thomas J. Henry Law, which bills itself as the “largest law personal injury firm in Texas,” also had one of the largest loan amounts for Texas law firms ($5-10 million). The San Antonio firm reported 487 jobs supported.
Baron & Budd in Dallas, another huge firm specializing in toxic torts, received $2-5 million.
Arnold & Itkin, a Houston law firm known for landing multimillion-dollar verdicts, had a loan amount of $1-2 million.
The Carlson Law Office had its loan of $2-5 million approved on April 5. The firm reported 158 jobs supported.
The Daspit Law Firm, which routinely files personal injury lawsuits throughout Southeast Texas, received $1-2 million and reported 142 jobs supported.
Other law firms of note include:
- Thompson & Knight $5-10 million;
- Thompson Coe $5-10 million;
- Davis Law Firm $1-2 million;
- The Law office of Manuel Solis $1-2 million;
- Mehaffy & Weber $1-2 million; and
- Germer $2-5 million.
It also seems at least one institution that trains lawyers has been impacted.
The South Texas College of Law in Houston had its loan of $2-5 million approved on April 11. The college reported 80 jobs supported.