John K. Round

Biography

After more than 40 years in the practice of law, there isn’t much that John Round has not helped his clients navigate. John’s clients consider him their trusted advisor and confidant and appreciate that he is a respectful straight shooter. Individuals, families, and closely-held businesses turn to him for all areas of estate and wealth planning, including the preparation of wills and the planning, implementation, and management of trusts. John’s wealth of estate planning experience is especially beneficial in high stakes, and often emotional, estate and trust litigation involving contested wills and breach of fiduciary duties.

John shares his knowledge with his colleagues, both as a mentor and as a sought-after speaker with more than 600 presentations under his belt. He is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

Representative Experience

  • Organized and counseled clients regarding tax-exempt charities
  • Counseled clients on all phases of estate planning and the preparation of wills and trusts
  • Designed and implemented family-limited partnerships
  • Represented business owners with buy-sell agreements
  • Counseled physicians, attorneys, and CPAs in the purchase/sales of professional practices
  • Advised clients on the preparation of special needs trusts and related documents
  • Represented taxpayers in gift, estate, and income tax audits and appeals
  • Represented clients in will contests and probate, trust, partnership, and corporate litigation and mediations
  • Represented executors and trustees in estate and trust controversies, fiduciary duties, and analysis and interpretation of trust documents
  • Counseled clients on premarital and post-marital agreements

Licensed In

  • Texas

Education

  • J.D. St. Mary’s University School of Law
  • LL.M. University of Florida
  • B.B.A. Texas Tech University

Memberships

  • American Cancer Society – Texas Division, Former Director, Income & Development Committee and Chair, Legacy & Planned Giving Committee, Former Chair
  • Dallas Bar Association, Probate Trusts and Estates Section
  • Dallas Foundation, Advisory Board Member
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas, Board Member
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, Board Member (2004-2010)
  • Southwestern Medical Foundation Estate Planning Council, Member
  • State Bar of Texas, Trust Code Committee, Former Member
  • Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Achievements

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Family Law (2025), Litigation – Trusts and Estates (2011-Present), Tax Law (2013-Present), Trusts and Estates (2010-Present)
  • Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
  • The Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine (2013-present)
  • Best Lawyers® 2021 Dallas, TX Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Lawyer of the Year
  • Texas Super Lawyer – Texas Monthly (2003-present)
  • Five Star Wealth Manager – Texas Monthly (2011-present)

Speaking Engagements

  • Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course for the State Bar of Texas
  • Advanced Drafting: Estate Planning and Probate Course for the State Bar of Texas
  • AICPA Practitioners Symposium
  • Advanced Estate and Financial Planning Conference of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants
  • The Center for American and International Law – Short Course on Estate Planning
  • John Round is a sought-after speaker and often speaks at the Dallas Estate Planning Council, San Antonio Estate Planning Council, the Dallas Bar Association’s Tax Section, and a number of tax symposiums

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