We ask you to remember our dear Partner, Morris Davis. Our hearts are heavy as we learned that Morris passed away Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2019.
Morris was a dynamic and successful attorney with our firm for 39 years, including seven years at the helm as Managing Partner. From 2006-2012, Morris served as General Counsel of Temple-Inland. He returned to our firm after the company was acquired by International Paper in 2012.
During his work with Temple-Inland, Morris handled such as matters as the sale of 1.8 million acres of timberland, the spinoffs of Guaranty Bank and Forestar Real Estate Group, and the sale of Gaylord Chemical Company. He participated in the company’s response to International Paper’s public offer that ultimately resulted in the merger and acquisition for $4.2 billion.
At McGinnis Lochridge, Morris was highly respected for his representation of clients in corporate transactions, litigation and mining. He handled everything from contracts and mergers and acquisitions to complex transactions and SEC reports required for public companies.
Morris obtained the first surface mining permit issued in Texas and represented several large mineral producers in land, royalty and operating issues. He also helped establish correlative rights between oil and gas producers and surface miners, regarding the use of the surface in Texas.
After retiring from the firm, Morris returned often to assist us with complicated matters and to mentor our younger lawyers. We will be forever grateful for his keen legal intellect and, more importantly, his friendship. Please join us in keeping his wife and their family in your thoughts and prayers.