Picture of W. Cameron McCulloch Jr.

W. Cameron McCulloch, Jr.

Partner

"I am a true believer in beginning with the end in mind so that client resources are maximized. The first step is a conversation about what each client wants to achieve, including clearly identifying their specific goals and concerns."

Driven to go beyond traditional service models, Cameron McCulloch works tirelessly to redefine the value he delivers to wealthy individuals, families and family offices, privately-owned companies, beneficiaries, and corporate trustees and banks. Cameron is a trial lawyer by training and one of the top fiduciary litigators in Texas. He advises clients on issues which encompass asset protection and estate planning and administration to business continuation and succession planning to fiduciary and beneficiary representation to probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation. Notably, Cameron is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education courses and seminars sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, a member of the Texas Pattern Jury Charges Committee, a former Chair of the Probate, Trust & Estate Section Council of the Houston Bar Association, and a former Officer of the Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.  

At the core of Cameron’s private wealth, estate, business succession, and litigation and trial practice is a steadfast commitment to advising clients on the preservation of their wealth and the protection of personal and business assets. As Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Probate, Trust, and Guardianship Litigation and Administration practice, Cameron is personally dedicated to ensuring every client receives the customized service of a boutique practice, coupled with the comprehensive knowledge base of a full-service law firm. 

Cameron guides clients through both the independent and dependent administration of estates and guardianships and the preparation and/or review of fiduciary accountings for both trustees and trust beneficiaries. Inside and outside of the court room, Cameron defends estate, trust, and fiduciary litigation throughout the Greater Houston area and across the state of Texas. 

Clients look to Cameron to provide them with critical guidance in resolving family and personal disputes that are often legally complex and emotionally charged. He is skilled in litigating disputes involving guardianships, trusts, wills, gifts, and estates, including the preparation of wills, trust agreements, powers of attorney, and other necessary documents. Cameron has counseled and represented guardians, trustees, administrators, beneficiaries, and executors of estates in a wide variety of administrative matters.  

Cameron proves, time and again, his ability to navigate clients through changes in the law, market conditions, and family and business situations. He is highly qualified and agile when dealing with change – both favorable and challenging – and in working with clients to identify what they want to achieve and creating viable paths to realizing their specific right end game. 

Cameron’s extensive experience in representing wealthy individuals and their businesses includes the representation of CEOs, business owners, multi-generational families, high-level professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs. His absolute responsiveness to client needs and proven expertise in handling complicated legal situations while also de-escalating family friction has earned him the respect of the clients he feels privileged to serve and across the greater legal community as a whole. 

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
  • Successful representation of individuals and corporate fiduciaries in probate, trust, and fiduciary litigation matters involving assets of more than $1 billion. 
  • Representation of numerous individual trust beneficiaries, as well as corporate fiduciaries, in their respective roles as guardians, trustees, administrators, and/or executors of trusts and estates. 
  • Representation of individuals on matters involving lifetime planning and planning for the disposition of their assets upon death.
EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

  • South Texas College of Law, J.D., 1993
  • Texas Christian University, B.A., 1990

ADMISSIONS

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Member, Houston Bar Association, (Probate, Trusts, and Estate Section, Chair, 2012-2013; Council Member, 2002-2013)
  • Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation
  • Member, State Bar of Texas, (Real Estate, Probate and Trust Section, Council Member, 2013-2017; Fiduciary Litigation Committee, Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section, Chair, 2013-2014; Pattern Jury Charge Committee, Family & Probate, 2013-2023)
  • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, Director of the Charitable Foundation, American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel
  • Member, College of the State Bar of Texas 
  • Member, Texas Pattern Jury Charges Committee
COMMUNITY SERVICE
  • Board Member, South Campus Sports Association, 2004-2007
  • Board Member, West University Little League, 2004-2005
  • Regional Council Member, Texas Christian University
  • Member, Texas Christian University Alumni Association
  • Member, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
  • Member, Phi Delta Theta Alumni Association
RECOGNITION
  • "Texas Top Financial Advisor," Texas Monthly, 2009
  • “Super Lawyers,” Texas Monthly Super Lawyers, 2008-2024
  • “Best Lawyers,” H-Texas Magazine, 2004  
  • “Texas Rising Stars,” Texas Monthly Super Lawyers, 2004-2007
ARTICLES, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
  • “Refresher on Conflict of Interest Issues for Wills, Trusts, and Estate Attorneys,” TexasBarCLE, November 1, 2024
  • “Mediation Strategies & Considerations”, 47th Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2023 
  • “Protecting Individual Trustees Who Protect Beneficiaries,” 19th Annual Changes and Trends Affecting Special Needs Trusts – A Guide for Attorneys, Financial Advisors and Trust Officers, February 9-10, 2023 
  • “Texas Pattern Jury Charges – Family & Probate,” Vol. 5, State Bar of Texas, 2022 
  • “Being a Zealous Advocate,” 17th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, December 1, 2022 
  • “Professionalism 201: Lawyer to Lawyer,” Dallas Bar Association Probate, Estates & Trusts Section, November 23, 2021 
  • “Attorneys With Conflicts of Interest – You Can’t Be Everybody’s Best Fried … or Lawyer, Either,” 16th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, State Bar of Texas, 2021 
  • “Drafting & Enforcing Arbitration Clauses in Wills, Trusts & Settlement Agreements,” The Estate Planning and Community Property Journal of Texas Tech University School of Law, Winter 2020 
  • “Drafting & Enforcing Arbitration Clauses in Wills, Trusts & Settlement Agreements,” Thompson Reuters (West) Webcast, December 16, 2019 
  • “The Anti-SLAPP Clapback: How the TCPA Complicates Estates, Trusts, and Guardianships,” 14th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019 
  • “Drafting & Enforcing Arbitration Clauses in Wills, Trusts & Settlement Agreements,” National College of Probate Judges’ Journal, Fall 2019 
  • “Drafting & Enforcing Arbitration Clauses in Wills, Trusts & Settlement Agreements,” 43rd Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2019 
  • “Fiduciary Duties in Limited Partnerships,” Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2018 
  • “Privilege Issues for Estate Planners and Probate Practitioners,” Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, 2017 
  • “Drafting & Enforcing Arbitration Clauses in Wills, Trusts, & Settlement Agreements,” Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2016 
  • “Practical Considerations for Drafting Arbitration Clauses,” Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, State Bar of Texas, 2015 
  • “Drafting to Head Off Disputes,” Estate Planning and Probate Drafting, 2014 
  • “Privilege & Expert Witness Issues in Probate,” Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014 
  • “It’s Too Late to Say You’re Sorry,” Advanced Estate Planning Strategies, 2014 
  • “Common Privilege and Expert Witness Issues,” 38th Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014 
  • “Give ‘Em Hell: Causes of Action, Remedies, and Considerations to Take into Account When Dealing With Wayward Fiduciaries, Beneficiaries or Heirs,” 20th Annual Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course, State Bar of Texas, 2014