Hector De Leon, Of Counsel
Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Shareholder
Education
University of Texas, B.S. 1970
Ombudsman of the University of Texas from October 1971 to June 1973
University of Texas School of Law, JD 1973
Consul of the 1973 UT School of Law Graduating Class
Practice Areas
Licensed Since
1973
Mr. De Leon is the founder of De Leon & Washburn, P.C., which was established on July 1, 1977. His practice has focused on the regulatory needs of insurance companies of all sizes, including transactional, and litigation matters. Prior to establishing the firm, Mr. De Leon was the General Counsel of the Texas State Board of Insurance, now known as the Texas Department of Insurance. From 1978 to 1987, Mr. De Leon served as Legal Counsel to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy. Since 1990 Mr. De Leon has held the rank of Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas School of Law in the area of insurance regulation. Mr. De Leon was among the first group of attorneys Board Certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1989.* Mr. De Leon is fluent in Spanish.
Mr. De Leon has tried cases to jury verdict and to the Court in various state court venues in Texas, and has argued cases before most of the state appellate courts of Texas and the Texas Supreme Court. In 2006, Mr. De Leon received a rare ruling from the bench before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, granting an insurance agent’s license application in a contested case hearing involving the Texas Department of Insurance. Mr. De Leon has worked with clients on transactional matters and the drafting of documents to bring transactions to a close. The transaction documents have included buy/sell agreements, loan documents, guarantees, confidentiality agreements and employment agreements. Mr. De Leon has also provided expert witness services on insurance issues as well as government relations services to clients on legislative matters.
Mr. De Leon has been married to Arleigh Stoune De Leon since September 15, 1973. Mr. and Mrs. De Leon are both native Austinites. They have raised three boys who now are successful in their own professional pursuits. He is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and has served as President of both the UT Law Alumni Association and the UT Ex-Students’ Association.
As of September 1, 2024, Mr. De Leon is serving as of counsel to the firm.
*The specialization is now inactive.
Texas Bar Association
Austin Bar Association
President of the University of Texas Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors, 2012 to the present
University of Texas Ex-Students’ Association President, 2004-05
Chair of the Advisory Council of the University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
University of Texas College of Education Foundation Advisory Council, Member and past Chair
University of Texas Development Board, Life Member
University of Texas System Chancellor’s Council, Member of the Executive Committee
University of Texas Commission of 125
Selection Committees for the Dean of the University of Texas School of Law, 1995 and 2000
Member of Search Committee for Vice President for Student Affairs for the
University of Texas, 2011-12
Brackenridge Development Council, 2012 to the present
Children at Heart Ministries Board of Directors, 2009 to the present
Children at Heart Ministries Foundation Board of Directors, 2010 to the present
Super Lawyer, Administrative Law, 2004-2012
U.S. News Best Lawyer in America, Insurance Law 2007-2013
University of Texas Ex-Students’ Association “Distinguished Alumnus,” 2010
University of Texas Presidential Citation Recipient for Exemplary Service to the University, 2007
America’s Most Honored Professionals, Top 1 Percent, 2020
Published articles on ERISA, Workers’ Compensation and Administrative Law issues as a member of the Texas Lawyer Board of Contributors from 1988 to 1996
