Jim Popp is the firm’s managing partner and leader of the legislative affairs team. Since entering private practice in 1983, he has significantly improved the practice of property tax representation across Texas.

Jim began his property tax career in 1979 as counsel to the Ways and Means Committee of the Texas House of Representatives, just as the legislature was passing the new Texas Property Tax Code. He then served with the office of the General Counsel of the State Property Tax Board during the implementation of the new tax code, after which he transitioned into private practice.

Jim pioneered the concept of start to finish client representation, including advocacy at the legislative, administrative, district court and appellate levels. This approach has greatly improved the quality and efficiency of the representation he provides his clients. Jim continually drafts legislation to improve the Texas property tax system, including over 100 changes to the Texas Property Tax Code in the past four legislative sessions alone. Perhaps his most significant legislative contribution is the 1997 amendment adding the equal and uniform remedy to the tax code. His other major legislative contributions include the simultaneous exchange of appraisals in district court appeals, enhanced settlement discussions, truth-in-taxation provisions, rendition provisions, taxpayer rights before the Appraisal Review Board, the attorneys’ fee statute and the new equal and uniform remedy statute. These changes have expanded taxpayer rights to the great benefit of Texas property owners.

Jim continues to advocate tirelessly for taxpayer rights at the Texas Legislature. He founded the property tax advocacy political action committee Tax Equity Council to support this endeavor. Jim is the exclusive Texas member of the American Property Tax Counsel (APTC), a nationwide, invitation-only affiliation of 30 property tax law firms employing over 100 property tax lawyers.

Jim received his B.A. with Honors, Master of Public Affairs (LBJ School) and J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.