David G. Cabrales

Of Counsel

David Cabrales is an attorney and lobbyist in the Austin and Dallas offices of Foley & Lardner. He is co-chair of the firm’s Texas State Government Solutions practice group, as well as co-chair of its Economic Development and Government Incentives practice group.

David has been immersed in Texas state government matters for over 20 years, including time spent as a Texas Racing Commissioner, as General Counsel to Governor Rick Perry, and as chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation. He represents clients at the intersection of law and public policy, both at the Legislature as well as in front state agencies and local governments. He has particular expertise in resolving matters before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Department of Insurance, The Texas Railroad Commission, and the Texas Racing Commission.

David is a member of the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC), which is composed of leading Texas attorneys who screen and recommend to U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz nominees for vacancies on the federal bench and in U.S. attorney offices in Texas

David started his career as a briefing attorney for Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez. He has an undergraduate degree in International Trade from Texas Tech University and a law degree from SMU, where he attended as a Hatton W. Sumners Scholar.

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Commercial Litigation (2013-2024)
  • Recognized, Top Latino Lawyers, Latino Leaders Magazine (2017)

Affiliations

  • Member, State Bar of Texas
  • Member, Dallas Bar Association – Securities Section, Chairman (2004)
  • Member, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Board Member, United Way of Texas
  • Member, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation
  • Member, Salesmanship Club of Dallas
  • Member, Texas Economic Development Corporation (2014)
    • Chairman, Board of Directors (2009-2012)
  • Appointed to Texas Racing Commission by Gov. Rick Perry (2006-2007)

Presentations and Publications

05 March 2025 In the News

David Cabrales Featured in Q&A on Texas Gambling Legislation

Foley & Lardner LLP of counsel David Cabrales is featured in the Law360 Q&A, "Developers Lie In Wait For Texas Gambling's Passage," sharing insights on the latest efforts to introduce casinos and sports betting to Texas.
27 February 2025 Foley Corporate Governance Update

Newly Filed Legislation Positions Texas as a Leading State for Incorporations

On February 27, 2025, Senate Bill No. 29 was filed in the Texas Legislature to introduce a series of corporate reforms that aim to make Texas the preferred jurisdiction for legal domestication.
27 January 2025 Honors and Awards

Foley Again Ranked as Top Ten Lobby Shop in Texas by Capitol Inside

Foley & Lardner LLP is ranked as the No. 6 law firm in the 2025 Texas Lobby Power Rankings by Capitol Inside, a closely followed Austin-based political and government affairs publication.
15 January 2025 In the News

David Cabrales Comments on Notable Real Estate Topics for Texas Legislators

Foley & Lardner LLP David Cabrales commented on notable real estate and development topics on Texas legislators' minds as the state's biennial legislative gets underway.
01 January 2025 In the News

John Sepehri and David Cabrales Assess Texas Legislation Ahead in 2025

Foley & Lardner LLP John Sepehri and David Cabrales assessed significant Texas legislation up for debate this coming year in the Law360 article, "6 Pivotal Texas Bills To Watch In 2025."
25 July 2024 Powered by Foley

Texas Legislature Energy Outlook

On this episode of the Powered podcast, we are joined by David Cabrales and John Sepehri, members of Foley’s Government Solutions Practice from our Austin, Texas office.