James Clarke Wilcox

J. Clarke Wilcox attended Dallas Baptist University, completing a double major in Business Administration and Radio/TV Film. He got his law degree from SMU’s Dedman School of Law in 2001 and, after graduation, spent considerable time coaching mock trial for the law school, winning the national championship. An accomplished banjoist, he and his band, The Shoppe, charted nine country singles in Billboard magazine, prior to his becoming a lawyer. A tireless entrepreneur, his business experiences include the following:

He co-founded, and actively participated in, the daily management of UpStar Energy, LLC, a Texas startup company that built numerous wind and solar power installations in Nevada.

Active in the music publishing arena, he and his partners at TMG/Nashville own the rights to “God Bless Texas.”

Wilcox currently serves on the boards of directors for The Texas Musician’s Museum (Irving), Oak Grove Memorial Gardens, and as trustee for a significant private trust.

He has owned his own firm, a general litigation, transactional and appellate practice. He has practiced in the areas of personal injury, family law, collections, receivership and bankruptcy, real estate, business formation, small estate planning and probate.

As a partner at Whatley Wilcox, he specializes in the Medicaid, VA Benefits and Special Needs section.

Quote: “If someone had told me that Medicaid, VA and Special Needs planning would be challenging, uplifting and invigorating, I would have told them they were crazy. But this practice is all that and more. The work truly is intriguing and exciting! Imagine that you’re a surgeon, and every time you open someone up, all the organs are in a different place and serve different functions. That’s what Elder Law is like. Every single case is different; every family has different needs; and every veteran has a different story. I never really intended to have a career as an elder lawyer. But once I got into it, I realized how rewarding it is. It’s a daily challenge, and I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to help those who need it most.”