Joanna Lippman Salinas

"How can I help?” That is the first thing that Joanna Lippman Salinas, managing partner of the Austin office, wants to know when a client comes to her for representation. With over 25 years of representing private and public entities and individuals across Texas, Joanna knows that what her clients need is not just someone to appear in Court and vigorously represent their interests, which she can certainly do with enthusiasm and skill. Clients facing a lawsuit or potential claim need a partner to help determine strategy options and opportunities; someone who can provide sophisticated and comprehensive legal analysis, but who also sees both the legal and business ramifications of the choices they face. With her team of experienced attorneys based in the Austin office, Joanna Salinas is her clients’ problem-solving partner.

Joanna handles a wide variety of defense litigation matters, including vehicular accidents, construction defect and injury claims, and premise and product defects. She also represents employers and governmental entities in civil rights, employment, land use, and tort litigation. Every case is recognized as an independent opportunity to use both her litigation and resolution skills. 

From her central location in Austin, Joanna represents her clients' interests throughout the State of Texas, particularly in South, Central, and West Texas. She has extensive jury and bench trial experience (in both state and federal court), and before their respective appellate courts.  She is also an experienced participant in binding arbitration and at administrative proceedings.  However, since protracted litigation is not always the best option, Joanna is proactive in assessing the benefits of alternative resolution, including informal negotiations and non-binding mediation, and in assisting her clients with claims avoidance advice and strategies.

Joanna regularly presents continuing education courses on the legal and practical issues related to the civil defense of companies, individuals, and government entities, including Texas case law and legislative updates, ethical issues in adjusting claims, evaluating personal injury damages, defending employment discrimination claims, the Texas Tort Claims Act, and law enforcement use of force issues.

Joanna was raised in the West Texas town of El Paso, bordering Mexico and New Mexico. That multicultural upbringing had a strong influence of Joanna’s point of view, giving her a valuable perspective when assessing jury and witness potential and risks. She came to Austin to secure her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, obtaining a Bachelor of Journalism with a minor in Public Relations. The critical writing and presentation skills she acquired during her undergraduate years have served her well both in and outside the courtroom. Joanna felt so deeply connected to Austin that she stayed to secure her J.D from the University of Texas School of Law. Joanna and her husband Sal have made Austin their home ever since. When not vigorously representing her clients, Joanna and Sal can be found pursuing their shared passion: the art of making whiskey. They are co-founders of Still Austin Whiskey Co., Austin’s premier whiskey distillery that produces whiskey from scratch, from grain to glass.

Honors & Recognitions

Member, American Board of Trial Advocates

Texas Super Lawyers, 2013 - 2016, 2020 - 2023, published by Thomson Reuters

Super Lawyers, Top Women in Texas, 2020, published by Thomson Reuters

Community & Professional

State Bar of Texas

Austin Bar Association

Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit

Texas Association of Defense Counsel

Defense Research Institute