About Allison & Ward Attorneys at Law · Austin
Allison & Ward Attorneys at Law is an Austin, Texas personal injury and workers' compensation law firm founded in 1995 by partners Keely Allison and Adam Ward. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, the firm is recognized as one of the few practices in Central Texas that handles true Texas Workers' Compensation claims for injured employees, in addition to a broad personal injury practice spanning car wrecks, truck and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice and product defects. The firm operates out of 7800 N Mopac Expressway, Suite 220, in north Austin, and serves clients throughout Travis County and the wider Central Texas region on a contingency-fee basis.
Allison & Ward Attorneys at Law traces its roots to 1995, when Keely Allison — a native Austinite and fifth-generation Texan who had just earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center — returned to Austin and joined forces with established workers' compensation attorney Dick Allison. Adam Ward, a former U.S. Navy Reserve signalman and University of Houston Law Center graduate who had briefly defended insurance carriers at Flahive, Ogden & Latson before switching to the plaintiffs' side, joined the practice the same spring. Together they have built a boutique injury firm that the website describes as 'one of the few representing injured employees in Texas workers' compensation claims,' having handled 'hundreds of Workers' compensation hearings and trials over the past 30 years.' The firm's practice is anchored in two areas: (1) Texas workers' compensation — denied claims, disputed injuries, pre-existing condition denials, extent-of-injury disputes, Temporary Income Benefits (TIBS), Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBS), Lifetime Income Benefits, maximum medical improvement disputes, and medical treatment denials, taken all the way through Benefit Review Conferences, Contested Case Hearings, the Division of Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel and judicial review; and (2) personal injury — car and truck wrecks, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, wrongful death and survival actions, catastrophic injuries, dog bites, premises defect, construction-site accidents, boating accidents, medical malpractice and product liability. Allison & Ward markets itself on compassion, professionalism and respect, emphasizing that 'clients routinely refer their family members and friends' to the firm. It offers free consultations and works on contingency, collecting fees only when compensation is recovered. The firm employs four people across two Austin offices, with Keely Allison admitted to the State Bar in 1994 (Bar #00790220) and Adam Ward admitted in 1993 (Bar #00788615). Both are listed by Justia with 5.0 peer ratings and 10/10 client scores, and the firm carries a 4.5-star rating on ChamberofCommerce.com based on ten reviews.
- In business
- Since 1995 (over 30 years in practice together; firm/LinkedIn listing shows a 2015 reorganization date for Allison & Ward as currently structured)
- Owner
- Keely Allison and Adam Ward (named partners); the practice traces its origin to 1995 when Keely Allison joined her father, Dick Allison, and Adam Ward joined the plaintiffs' side from insurance defense work
- Serves
- Austin and Central Texas, including Waco, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills and Manor; cases also handled throughout the State of Texas and, where applicable, the United States
- Rating
- 4.5 stars (10 reviews on ChamberofCommerce.com); 10/10 on Justia Lawyer Directory for both attorneys; 5.0/5.0 peer ratings on Justia
About Allison & Ward — Austin Injury Lawyers
Allison & Ward is a two-partner plaintiffs' injury firm in Austin, Texas, built around the simple promise that injured people in Central Texas deserve an experienced lawyer — not a call center — in their corner. The firm was founded in 1995 when Keely Allison, a fifth-generation Texan and native Austinite, returned home after law school and teamed up with Adam Ward, who had just left an insurance defense practice to fight for injured workers. Together they have more than 40 years of combined legal experience handling Texas workers' compensation claims and a full range of personal injury cases throughout Austin, Travis County and the rest of the state. The firm operates on a contingency-fee basis with free consultations, and its website emphasizes that 'clients routinely refer their family members and friends' — a reflection of the long-term, relationship-driven practice the partners have cultivated.
- Founded in 1995
- Two named partners: Keely Allison and Adam Ward
- Over 40 years of combined legal experience
- Located at 7800 N Mopac Expy, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78759
- Four employees across two Austin offices
- Free consultations; contingency fee basis
Workers' Compensation Practice
Workers' compensation is the heart of the Allison & Ward practice. The firm's homepage highlights that it is 'one of the few representing injured employees in Texas workers' compensation claims,' noting that 'a lot of lawyers claim they handle on the job injuries, but very few actually handle true Texas Workers' Compensation claims.' The team has handled hundreds of workers' compensation hearings and trials over more than three decades and represents claimants at every stage of the dispute process — from Benefit Review Conferences and Contested Case Hearings, to appeals at the Division of Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel, all the way to judicial review in Texas courts.
- Denied workers' compensation claims
- Disputed injury claims
- Pre-existing condition denials
- Extent-of-injury disputes (e.g., accepted back sprain but denied herniated disc)
- Temporary Income Benefits (TIBS)
- Supplemental Income Benefits (SIBS)
- Lifetime Income Benefits (LIB)
- Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) disputes
- Medical treatment denials / medical fee disputes
- Benefit Review Conferences (BRCs)
- Contested Case Hearings (CCHs)
- Appeals Panel and judicial review
- On-the-job injury claims even when the employer does not carry workers' comp insurance
The Workers' Compensation Litigation Process
The firm's website walks clients through the formal dispute resolution process used by the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation. The first step is an informal Benefit Review Conference (BRC) attended by the injured worker, the worker's attorney, the insurance carrier representative, the employer's representative and a state Benefit Review Officer (BRO). If unresolved, the case proceeds to a Benefit Contested Case Hearing (CCH) — an administrative trial with evidence, witnesses and arguments decided by an Administrative Law Judge rather than a jury — which typically produces a written Decision and Order. From there, either party may appeal to the Texas Workers' Compensation Appellate Panel within 15 business days, and ultimately pursue judicial review in a Texas court with a real jury, including intermediate appellate courts and the Texas Supreme Court.
- Step 1: Benefit Review Conference (BRC)
- Step 2: Benefit Contested Case Hearing (CCH) before an Administrative Law Judge
- Step 3: Appeal to the Division of Workers' Compensation Appeals Panel
- Step 4: Judicial review in Texas courts, with possible jury trial
- Appeals possible up to the Texas Supreme Court
Personal Injury Practice
Beyond workers' comp, Allison & Ward maintains a broad personal injury practice for victims of negligence in and around Austin. The website notes that Keely Allison and Adam Ward have built 'a reputation as trusted Austin accident lawyers handling a wide range of accident and injury cases,' with '60 years of combined experience' cited on the personal injury page. Cases are taken on contingency — 'no fees unless we win your case' — and the firm offers free consultations across its personal injury practice areas.
- Car accidents and auto wrecks
- 18-wheeler and truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Wrongful death claims
- Survival death claims
- Catastrophic injuries
- Dog bites
- Premises defect cases
- Construction site accidents
- Boating accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product defects
- On-the-job injuries (workers' comp or non-subscribed claims)
Meet the Attorneys
Allison & Ward is a two-attorney partnership, and the firm's website devotes a full biography to each lawyer. Together they bring more than 60 years of combined legal experience to Central Texas injury and workers' compensation cases.
- Keely Allison — Partner
- Adam Ward — Partner
Attorney Keely Allison
Keely Allison is a native Austinite and fifth-generation Texan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology (with a minor in Chemistry) from the University of Texas at Austin in 1991 and her Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center in 1994. While in law school she volunteered as a law clerk for the Travis County District Attorney's Office and clerked for a plaintiffs' mass tort firm in Houston; in 1992 she was inducted into Phi Delta Phi, received the American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts II, and served as Treasurer of the UH Law Center International Law Society. After passing the Texas Bar she practiced commercial and personal injury litigation in Houston before returning to Austin in 1995 to join Allison & Ward as a partner. Her State Bar of Texas Bar Card Number is 00790220 (licensed 11/04/1994), and the firm lists her practice areas as Litigation: Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation. Spanish language assistance is available through the firm.
- Fifth-generation Texan and native Austinite
- B.A. Biology / minor Chemistry, UT Austin, 1991
- J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 1994
- Texas State Bar #00790220 (licensed 11/04/1994)
- Phi Delta Phi, American Jurisprudence Award, International Law Society Treasurer
- Joined Allison & Ward as partner in 1995
- Justia rating: 10/10; peer ratings 5.0/5.0
- Personal interests: family, travel, scuba diving, snow skiing
Attorney Adam Ward
Adam Ward graduated from Texas A&M University in 1990 with a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in English, then served in the United States Navy Reserve as a Signalman, completing boot camp and 'A' School in Orlando, Florida, and earning an Honorable Discharge after eight total years (six active drilling plus two Individual Ready Reserve). He went on to the University of Houston Law Center on scholarship, where he made Law Review as an Articles Editor, scored the highest grade in two subjects in a class of roughly 80 students, and clerked for a District Court Judge, a law professor and the plaintiffs' firm Cook & Butler (now Doyle Raizner) in Houston. After passing the Texas Bar in 1993 he worked for former District Court Judge Alvin Zimmerman and then for the workers' compensation insurance defense firm Flahive, Ogden & Latson. In the spring of 1995 he switched sides, joining Dick Allison as a claimants' attorney — a decision that became Allison & Ward. He has since secured a million-dollar-plus verdict and multi-million dollar settlements. His State Bar of Texas Bar Card Number is 00788615 (licensed 11/05/1993), and he is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association.
- B.S. Economics and B.A. English, Texas A&M, 1990
- U.S. Navy Reserve veteran (Signalman), Honorable Discharge
- J.D., University of Houston Law Center, 1993; Law Review Articles Editor
- Texas State Bar #00788615 (licensed 11/05/1993)
- Switched from insurance defense (Flahive, Ogden & Latson) to plaintiffs' side in 1995
- Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
- Justia rating: 10/10; peer ratings 5.0/5.0
- Personal interests: fishing and playing guitar
Workers' Compensation FAQ
The firm's FAQ page addresses the questions injured workers most often ask. The attorneys explain how to respond when the insurance company denies a claim, how Temporary Income Benefits (TIBS) work, what to do when medical treatment is denied, how Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) dates are set and challenged, how impairment ratings are calculated using the American Medical Association guides, and what options exist when Supplemental Income Benefits are cut off. The firm emphasizes that strict deadlines apply at every stage of the dispute process, particularly in medical disputes at the Division of Workers' Compensation.
- The insurance company denied my claim — what can I do?
- My lost wage checks stopped but I still can't return to work — what can I do?
- The insurance company accepted my claim but keeps denying medical treatment — what can I do?
- Can I change the date of Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)?
- What are Supplemental Income Benefits and what if they stop?
- How are impairment ratings determined (AMA guides)?
Areas Served
Allison & Ward is based in north Austin and serves injured workers and accident victims throughout Central Texas and the rest of the state. The website lists the following Greater Austin communities as part of the firm's regular service area, with cases also accepted elsewhere in Texas and across the United States where applicable.
- Austin (headquarters)
- Waco
- Round Rock
- Pflugerville
- Cedar Park
- Leander
- Georgetown
- Hutto
- Bee Cave
- West Lake Hills
- Manor
Client Testimonials
The personal injury page features written testimonials from named clients who describe the firm's responsiveness, honesty and trial results. The firm highlights referrals from family members, coworkers and longtime clients as a measure of trust built over decades. Reviewers on ChamberofCommerce.com (4.5/5 from 10 reviews) and Justia (10/10 for both attorneys) reinforce the same themes.
- Carol B.: 'Adam and Keely are absolutely wonderful… I refer everyone who needs help for their injuries to Allison & Ward.'
- Luke S.: longtime client who has retained Adam Ward for multiple workman's comp and car wreck claims since 1995, referring children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
- Sharon G.: workers' compensation client whose denied broken-arm claim was won at hearing when Mr. Ward 'presented evidence, called my most important witness and cross-examined my coworker so well that we won the case.'
- Spencer C. (Google review): 'Nice friendly staff and great service. At least they don't have one of those annoying commercials.'
- Allison Liddle (Google review): 'Very helpful in answering questions to see if you need a lawyer before spending the money.'
Contact and Free Consultation
Allison & Ward offers free legal consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis for both workers' compensation and personal injury matters. The contact page invites prospective clients to submit an inquiry form; the firm states that 'Ward and Keely Allison will be in contact with you shortly' and notes that submitting the form does not create an attorney-client relationship until one is established.
- Address: 7800 N Mopac Expy, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78759
- Phone: (512) 474-8153
- Fax/secondary: (512) 474-9703
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Website contact form for free consultation
- Spanish language assistance available