The Law Offices of Colby Lewis

Who We Are

M. Colby Lewis: The Story Behind Relentless Representation

Mikel Colby Lewis is a seventh-generation Texan and the founder of The Law Offices of Colby Lewis. Over a career spanning two decades, he has recovered more than $200 million for his clients, establishing himself as a premier authority in personal injury and construction defect litigation. However, his reputation for tenacity was not built in a boardroom; it was forged through years of working night shifts and navigating the legal system from the perspective of both a corporate insider and a lifelong advocate for the underdog.

What Is the Origin of Colby Lewis’s Passion for Justice?

Colby’s path to the law was a study in perseverance. As the first member of his family to graduate from a university, he began his education at a community college, balancing the physical demands of working nights to fund his own way. This “blue-collar” work ethic stayed with him as he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where he made it his mission to master multiple disciplines simultaneously.
While at UT, Colby maintained a near-perfect GPA and earned three separate degrees in Philosophy and Political Science, alongside a professional certification in Computer Science. His scholarly depth was evidenced by his honors thesis, The Philosophy of Hackers, which explored the ethical boundaries of the digital world—a technical foundation he still utilizes to manage complex electronic discovery in modern litigation. Beyond his studies, he was a leader on campus, serving as Vice President and Judicial Board Chair for Phi Kappa Theta and as the Philanthropy Chair and Firm Leader for the Beta Alpha Rho Pre-Law Fraternity.

How Did Scholarly Excellence Shape His Legal Authority?

At the University of Houston Law Center, Colby established a reputation for being the first student to arrive at the library and the last to leave. This dedication to the craft of legal research translated into elite results: he graduated in the top 15% of his class in 2005.

During law school, he developed the analytical rigor that now defines his trial strategy. He served the Houston Journal of International Law (Vol. 28) in three critical capacities: Research Editor, Career Development Editor, and Executive Editor. He was also a member of both the Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, where he mastered the art of oral advocacy and jury persuasion. His peers and mentors recognized his leadership through his roles on the Dean’s Advisory Council and as a University of Houston Law Center Ambassador and student mentor.

Why Does a Former Corporate Partner Now Represent the Underdog?

Before founding his current firm in 2015, Colby spent a decade in the trenches of high-stakes corporate law. During this first decade of practice, he rose to the rank of Partner at a large regional law firm, where he represented global insurance carriers and industrial titans. This era provided him with an “insider” view of the legal system, where he saw firsthand the specific formulas and methods insurers use to delay, deny, or undervalue legitimate claims.

His early career included a pivotal role on the Lead Plaintiff’s Houston Trial Team in the multi-billion dollar Enron litigation, helping recover funds for victims of one of the largest corporate frauds in history. His defense-side experience was broad-spectrum, covering Environmental Law, Labor and Employment, and Complex Commercial Contracts. This background provides his current clients with a massive tactical advantage: Colby knows the “enemy’s” playbook because he used to help write it.

What Is the Extent of His Institutional and Public Entity Advocacy?

A distinct marker of Colby’s authority is the trust placed in him by major public institutions. He has been engaged by dozens of school districts and cities across the State of Texas to handle high-value insurance claims and complex construction defect matters.

His work includes serving as counsel for Harris County and the Houston Community College (HCC) system, where he has recovered millions of dollars for public infrastructure and education. By holding powerful insurance carriers accountable for underpaid or denied claims, Colby ensures that public taxpayers and students are made whole after institutional losses.

Case Study: Forensic Justice and the 2,800-Hour Campground Battle

Colby’s firm is recognized for its willingness to take on resource-intensive, high-profile cases that demand exhaustive investigation. A landmark example involved a client who suffered a devastating Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while sleeping in his tent at a designated campground during the Texas Renaissance Festival. A driver navigating the unlit grounds reversed over the tent, crushing the victim.

What initially appeared to be a simple accident was actually the result of systematic safety failures. Colby’s investigation uncovered multiple violations of the Texas Administrative Code, including the failure to maintain a 1,000-foot separation between vehicles and sleeping areas and a lack of adequate lighting.
When the corporate defendant attempted to shield evidence by claiming that producing electronic records was an “undue burden,” Colby’s team invested over 2,800 attorney hours to pierce the corporate veil. They exposed “medieval” data management practices intended to hide negligence. The result was a confidential seven-figure settlement that ensured the client received the specialized neurological care and financial security necessary for a lifetime of recovery.

Why Is Colby Lewis Ranked Among the Elite Attorneys in Texas?

Colby Lewis holds the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent) for legal ability and ethical standards—a distinction based on the confidential reviews of peers and judges. His sustained excellence is further reflected in his professional accolades:

  • 11-Year Super Lawyer: Selected for inclusion in Texas Super Lawyers every year from 2016 through 2026.
  • Top 100 Houston Super Lawyer: Named to this elite list for both 2025 and 2026, a distinction reserved for the top 1% of practitioners in the region.
  • Martindale Hubbell Client Reviewed: Other lawyers and clients have rated Colby highly for ethics, professionalism, and legal ability within Martindale-Hubbell’s system.
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum: A member of one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States, limited to those who have secured million-dollar verdicts and settlements.
  • Texas Bar College: An honorary society representing the top tier of attorneys dedicated to doubling the required amount of annual legal education.
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States, membership is strictly limited to attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional skill by acting as principal counsel in cases resulting in final judgments, awards, or settlements of one million and two million dollars or more. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers qualify for this distinction.
  • Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court: A professional legal organization based in Houston, Texas. It is a local chapter of the American Inns of Court, which are located across the nation. Inns are comprised of judges, practicing attorneys, law professors, and students who meet regularly to discuss and debate issues relating to legal ethics and professionalism.
  • BBB A+ Accredited Business: The Law Offices of Colby Lewis is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating.
  • The National Trial Lawyers Top 100: The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 is an invitation-only professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet precise qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers.
  • Member of American Association for Justice: A national organization of trial lawyers dedicated to education, advocacy, and protecting access to justice for individuals and families.
  • Member of the State Bar of Texas: The official bar organization for attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas, supporting professional standards, legal resources, and public access to attorney information.
  • Member of Texas Trial Lawyers Association: A statewide organization focused on protecting the civil justice system and advocating for plaintiffs and the trial lawyers who represent them.
  • Member of Houston Trial Lawyers Association: A Houston-based community of trial attorneys dedicated to strengthening trial practice, collaboration, and advocacy for justice.
  • Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys: A national membership organization dedicated to helping plaintiff attorneys and paralegals build the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to handle complex truck accident cases.

Outside the courtroom, Colby remains an active leader in the community. He serves as a Houston Stock Show and Rodeo Committeeman, a volunteer for the Shriners Children’s Hospital Driver’s Corps, and as a member of the Advisory Board for Oilfield Helping Hands. He also hosts the popular podcast, “Hold My Briefcase: The Legal Lowdown for Everyday People,” where he breaks down complex legal loopholes to empower the public with knowledge.

Licenses & Certifications

Admitted to Practice:
State Bar of Texas (State Bar Number 24050928, 2005)
Eastern District of Texas (E.D. Tex, 2008)
Western District of Texas (W.D. Tex, 2008)
Northern District of Texas (N.D. Tex, 2008)
Southern District and Bankruptcy Courts of Texas (S.D. Tex, 2006)

Honors & Awards

  • Top 100 Houston Super Lawyer
  • Super Lawyer (2016-2026)
  • “AV Preeminent” Rated –> Top Attorney: Civil Litigation and Plaintiff’s Personal Injury
  • Martindale Hubbell Client Reviewed
  • Super Lawyer: Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney
  • Avvo Rated: Superb Litigator
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Super Lawyers – Texas Rising Star 2016
  • Houstonian Top Lawyer of 2015
  • Legal Leaders: Texas Top Rated Lawyers of 2015
  • Texas Rising Star 2015
  • Member, The College of the State Bar of Texas

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