Davis Sees Rise in Income From Private Law Practice

Democrat Wendy Davis only makes $7,200 a year in salary as a state senator, but her take-home pay more than doubled between 2010 and 2012 thanks to steadily rising income from her private law practice, tax records show. 

Davis, who is running for Texas governor, provided her last three tax returns to The Texas Tribune late Tuesday. Her expected Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott, previously provided his last three returns.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Davis lists two attorney jobs on her résumé: She's a partner in her own firm, Newby Davis, and a lawyer “of counsel” to the much larger Cantey Hanger firm. Both are located in Fort Worth. 

Davis’ adjusted gross income rose from $130,931 in 2010 to $235,428 in 2011 and $284,183 last year. She made roughly $12,000 to $14,000 a year from capital gains, mostly from the sale of mutual funds. 

In 2010, Davis’ combined legal work brought in $126,043, then rose to $223,263 a year later before hitting $275,271 in 2012, according to figures filed under tax schedules for business and partnership income. 

Her work as a partner in the Newby Davis firm became her most lucrative job in 2012, according to the returns. She made $33,346 from the partnership in 2010, $52,691 in 2011 and $154,212 last year.

As in her 2012 re-election race, Davis’ income from Newby Davis is sure to be a flashpoint in the race for governor. She launched the firm three years ago with Brian Newby, Republican Gov. Rick Perry’s former chief of staff. They have numerous public-sector clients, including the North Texas Tollway Authority, the DFW Airport Board and the Fort Worth Independent School district, all of which have interests before the Legislature.

Davis has so far declined to release a full list of public-sector clients for whom she has provided legal services. Her campaign told the Tribune last month she is no longer accepting legal clients while wrapping up her responsibilities to clients she already has. She also is asking public entities for their permission to release information about them, her campaign said.

Davis has made relatively modest contributions to charity. In 2010 she reported giving $2,700. She gave $515 in 2011 and $950 in 2012, the tax returns show.

Candidates for state office in Texas are not required to disclose their tax returns, but it has become customary for the major gubernatorial candidates to provide them to the news media.

View PDF

View PDF

View PDF