Attorney J.D. McMullen serves as Of Counsel at SWMW Law as part of the firm’s litigation team. He joined the firm in 2023, focusing his practice on helping hardworking families across the country affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, often the result of corporate negligence, misconduct and greed.
An advocate for cancer victims and their families nationwide for almost 20 years, J.D. has dedicated his career to securing justice for those injured through no fault of their own. He has fought vigorously and tirelessly to help mend the emotional and financial devastation families face and continues to be an advocate for truth and corporate responsibility to help prevent other families from suffering the same fate.
“The law should help the common, everyday person to reclaim their dignity,” McMullen said. “In most cases, my clients are not privileged or advantaged with expensive credentials. They are people who worked hard and tried to make an honest living. But the industrial and commercial systems they helped to build ultimately failed to prioritize, or even consider, their health. My mission is to help redress that wrong.”
A Respected and Award-Winning Advocate
Throughout the course of his career, J.D. has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of those whose lives have been lost or forever changed by the unjust and reckless actions of others, and he has received well-deserved recognition both in and out of the courtroom as a result. Legal professionals selected him as one of Texas’ Top Outstanding Young Lawyers in Personal Injury Litigation in 2013 and as a Texas Rising Star in 2013-2016, 2018, and 2019. He was also awarded the title of “Honorary Lightship Sailor” by the U.S. Coast Guard Lightship Sailors Association for his advocacy on behalf of the country’s military men and women.
While he is appreciative of the accolades he’s received, what J.D. treasures the most is the love and appreciation he receives from every family he represents, that they consider him to be more of a family member than their attorney by the end of their journey together.
Giving Back to the Community
J.D.’s commitment to his clients is mirrored by his commitment to the community. While in law school, he served on the Pro Bono & Access to Justice Board and established Triple Play, an annual charity softball tournament that benefits local charities, including the Houston Area Women’s Center. During the pandemic, he volunteered on the frontlines with the Harris County Medical Reserve Corps at various mobile COVID-19 testing sites in communities that struggled to have access to testing. He also volunteers with Farm to Neighborhoods, where he coordinates – and participates in – weekly service opportunities that provide meat, produce and school supplies to impoverished neighborhoods throughout the Houston area.
J.D. is also the co-founder and a board member of the Cuyler Duncan Memorial Scholarship at the University of Texas, which was created in 2017 to honor the life of a personal friend and former student. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who most demonstrates responsible leadership, campus involvement, superior scholarship, and a commitment to community involvement and service. Today, the scholarship’s success has made it one of the largest, privately funded scholarships available at the institution.