Cliff Ernst

Cliff Ernst


McGinnis Lochridge

Recognized since 2010

Austin, Texas

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Corporate Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Securities / Capital Markets Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Securities / Capital Markets Law
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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law
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Cliff’s diverse clientele include governmental agencies and a full range of businesses from start-up companies to large corporations in a variety of industries including healthcare, professional services, technology, construction, real estate, oil and gas and publishing. His work encompasses mergers and acquisitions; private equity offerings; venture capital and debt financings; general contracting; and general corporate counseling.

Cliff frequently acts as an outside general counsel and provides advice to executive officers and directors of public and privately-held companies, a testament to the strong and lasting relationships he builds with his clients.

He is committed to providing cost effective, high quality legal services with an emphasis on providing practical advice based on an understanding of his clients’ business concerns. Cliff is also highly committed to community service and has held key leadership positions with several Austin-based charities.

Location
  • 1111 West 6th, Building B, Suite 400
    Austin, TX 78703
Education
  • The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1978
  • Oklahoma State University, B.A., graduated 1975
Bar Admissions
  • Texas, State Bar
Affiliations
  • American Bar Association: Business Law and Health Law Sections - Member
  • Austin Bar Association: Business, Corporate and Tax Section, Health Law Section, and Computer and Technology Section - Member
  • Knights of Austin Symphony Orchestra - member
  • State Bar of Texas: Business Law Section, Computer and Technology Section - Member
  • The Long Center for the Performing Arts - Past Chair, Board of Trustees

McGinnis Lochridge
Headquarters: Austin, Texas

21 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

6 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Securities / Capital Markets Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Austin (2025)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Austin (2025)
  • Banking and Finance Law, Austin (2024)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Austin (2019)
  • Banking and Finance Law, Austin (2018)
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law, Austin (2017)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Austin (2016)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Austin (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
Awards:
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® as Lawyer of the Year in Banking and Finance Law — Austin, in 2018
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America® as Lawyer of the Year in Securities/Capital Markets Law — Austin, in 2017
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law; Corporate Law; Mergers & Acquisitions Law; Securities/Capital Markets Law, 2010-2018
  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating, Martindale.com

Publications

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