Spotlight On: Julia Mann, San Antonio Managing Partner, Jackson Walker
Key points:
- • San Antonio’s diversifying economy is creating new investment and business opportunities.
- • Data center development is driving demand for specialized legal expertise.
- • AI is improving legal efficiency while reinforcing the importance of client relationships.
October 2026 — Julia Mann, San Antonio managing partner at Jackson Walker, tells Invest: that the city is broadening its economic base while retaining the traditions that draw people and businesses to the community. “We are growing from a city that has long depended on steadfast industries such as the military and tourism into one with a diverse economy,” Mann said.
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What changes in San Antonio’s business environment are having the greatest impact on clients?
This is an exciting time in San Antonio! We are experiencing a period of significant growth and transformation. Population growth continues to drive demand for housing, infrastructure, healthcare, and the businesses that support a growing workforce. At the same time, our proximity to energy-rich South Texas positions the region to benefit from continued investment in both traditional energy resources and emerging opportunities, including the development of data centers across Texas.
Our location gives us a unique advantage. With access to South Texas energy resources and an extensive pipeline network, we’re well-positioned to support both traditional energy development and the increasing energy demands of data centers and other high-growth industries. As businesses evaluate where to invest and expand, those strengths continue to make San Antonio an attractive market.
The biggest change, though, is the community’s outlook. There is a strong commitment among business, civic, and community leaders to invest in San Antonio’s future and ensure it remains a place where businesses want to locate, and people want to build their lives. What makes San Antonio special is that it has successfully balanced growth with its deep-rooted culture and traditions. Companies don’t just come here for business opportunities; they stay because of the quality of life, the sense of community, and the people.
That combination is creating a virtuous cycle of investment, expansion, and opportunity. As businesses grow and new industries emerge, our clients are finding themselves in a market with tremendous momentum and long-term potential, creating a positive impact across industries and throughout the region.
Where do regulated industries create the strongest opportunities and legal challenges?
Energy, technology, and healthcare are all highly regulated by state or local government, or both. That creates legal challenges, but it also creates opportunity. Any time there is a challenge to overcome, it is an opportunity for a business to distinguish itself and make a meaningful impact.
I could not say that one of those industries is more challenging than another; each is unique. When faced with complex legal and regulatory issues, clients turn to Jackson Walker as we have lawyers who specialize in these industries and understand healthcare, energy, and technology. A business needs more than someone who can explain a contract or interpret regulatory requirements. It needs counsel who understands how a business actually operates within the legal environment in front of it.
What development has been most significant for Jackson Walker’s San Antonio office?
Our data center initiative is probably at the top of my list. We have assembled a team of attorneys that includes regulatory, industry, real estate, environmental, and corporate expertise. It takes a team to develop a data center in Texas, and we have the members of that team across our offices because Jackson Walker operates as an enterprise.
We are only in Texas, so our offices work together seamlessly. In San Antonio, Jesse Lotay heads our energy practice group and co-leads it with Meghan Griffiths. The initiative has expanded opportunities for our attorneys to continue developing their expertise and has brought in new clients interested in coming to Texas. I had two emails the morning of this interview from people looking for help in this area, and I was easily able to direct them to Meghan and Jesse as the leaders of the team.
How are local economic and political conditions shaping investment decisions?
It is still early to tell where discussions around the local government budget will lead and what their impact will be. There is an interesting political environment in San Antonio right now. The city council can be one vote away from changing the outcome on an issue, so from a development and investment perspective, it is important to monitor the situation, stay informed, remain nimble, and be prepared to adjust.
I do not see anything as a roadblock. These are opportunities, and businesses need to stay informed so they can make adjustments depending on the impact. The things San Antonio is doing well far outweigh those discussions. This is still a city where employees can have an amazing quality of life. The cost of living is lower than in our other major Texas cities, which is important because a workforce needs to be able to find a place to live and contribute to the community.
What does work involving critical infrastructure show about the counsel businesses need?
This is a time when businesses need to partner with counsel that is informed and experienced, particularly in the Texas market. Many national firms are coming to Texas because the state’s economy continues to grow and attract investment. Jackson Walker is committed to being a Texas law firm. If you are coming here, you should talk to people who are literally on the ground, understand the market, and have longstanding relationships throughout the state.
We view client relationships as long-term investments on both sides. We do not want to interfere with their business goals; we want to help them reach those goals through a true strategic partnership. That requires open communication, mutual understanding of priorities, and a commitment to maintain that communication throughout the process.
How is AI changing legal work and client relationships?
AI is a powerful tool. It can definitely make us more efficient, and that efficiency is important in the delivery of legal services. Using new technology requires the client and lawyer to communicate clearly about how AI is being used. They also need to discuss the level of human interaction and the checks being implemented so that we are not overly reliant on technology. Legal services still bring a human element that has been central to the industry for decades.
Jackson Walker is investing significantly in technology. We have internal versions of Harvey and Claude that do not reach out to the internet or disclose confidential client information. Instead, they rely on the firm’s database of confidential information to support efficiency. Many clients are issuing general counsel policies around AI, and that allows us to discuss how we use the technology and what they are comfortable with. It should not be a secret; it should be a topic of open discussion.
I would not say client loyalty is changing. AI provides an opportunity to enhance those relationships through face-to-face conversations about the technologies available, how they can benefit the delivery of legal services, and what clients are or are not comfortable with. Communication goes both ways. We have to describe our intent and listen. AI is not going away, and I believe it will only get better. It can deepen the personal relationship because, at the end of the day, my eyes still need to approve what goes out the door. Clients need confidence that our attorneys are taking the necessary steps to deliver the excellent legal work they expect.
What will matter most as San Antonio and Texas continue to grow?
As our state grows, people are arriving with different ideas, experiences, and places of origin. We need to be mindful that what initially appears to be change or difference can become a way of bringing our collective experiences together for the best outcome. What we may see is less a change than a progression in how Texas continues to diversify its economy.
We are no longer only agriculture, energy, and other traditional businesses. We are continuing to grow in new and different industries, which will require us to be more collaborative and open-minded about how we continue to strengthen the economy.
San Antonio and Texas also have an opportunity to attract additional talent to support the city’s growth. We have a wonderful city to sell: a great place to raise a family, participate in business and philanthropy, and become part of the broader community. I hope the business community stays united in sharing that opportunity. Sometimes those soft touches make a difference. We should ask whether we are building a place where the children we raise want to return and help build it for the next generation. I love this city, and I feel an obligation to pay it forward and help make it great for them.
Want more? Read the Invest: San Antonio report.
