Jones Act Lawyers

John Eddie Williams, Jr.

Nearly 25 years ago, John Eddie Williams founded Williams Kherkher Law Firm to help protect the rights of working men and women. The son and grandson of longshoremen, John Eddie has been a passionate supporters of union workers and their families.

John Eddie graduated the top of his class from Baylor University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of The Baylor Law Review. After working for a few years with a prestigious defense firm in Houston, John Eddie started his own firm. Since then, he has worked on numerous dockets, including Jones Act/Maritime cases.

The Jones Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1920, allows for sailors and other workers at sea to sue their employers for negligence. John Eddie has represented several clients who were injured or killed while working at sea, and - thanks to the Jones Act - were able to recover damages.

John Eddie is a nationally recognized litigator, and has been interviewed by national media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and National Public Radio. He is past president of both the Houston and Texas Trial Lawyers Associations, and is board certified in personal injury trial law. John Eddie is married to the former Sheridan Clark.

Jim Hart

Jim Hart is a long-time partner at Williams Kherkher Law Firm. Jim graduated with honors from Texas Tech University School of Law and has been a practicing attorney for more than 15 years. As an undergraduate at Texas Tech, Jim was quarterback and captain of the Red Raiders football team.

Board certified in labor and employment law, Jim has handled hundreds of clients through litigation, mediation and arbitration. One of the areas in which he has devoted much of his time is Jones Act cases. Before passage of the Jones Act, sailors and other workers at sea were unable to seek damages against their employers for negligent practices. Jim has earned several verdicts and settlements for Williams Kherkher Law Firm clients under the Jones Act.

Jim is licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern districts. He is a member of the Houston and Texas State Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Jim and his wife Susan have five daughters.