Jonathan VernonOwner and Managing Attorney
Jonathan Vernon focuses his practice in the area of law known as Wills, Trusts, and Estates in the Southeast Texas area. After graduating from South Texas College of Law in 2010, Jonathan practiced Oil & Gas, Real Estate, Contract, and Wills, Trusts, and Estates law in Houston for several years. In 2013, Jonathan returned to the Beaumont area to practice law.
Before going to South Texas, Jonathan grew up in Nederland. He attended school in Nederland from kindergarten through graduating from Nederland Highschool. Afterwards, he attended Lamar University where he graduated number one from the Political Science Department. Jonathan excelled at South Texas. He became a member of the South Texas Law Review, received many academic awards, and graduated magna cum laude. |
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Deep Roots
Capt. O'Brien
The Law Office of Jonathan Vernon, PLLC has deep roots in Southeast Texas. Jonathan Vernon's family has been serving the legal needs of Beaumont since when 1861 his great-great-great grandfather, Capt. George Washington O'Brien, became Beaumont's first resident lawyer. Capt. O'Brien had previously served as county and district clerk for Jefferson County and Precinct No. 1 Justice of the Peace. Capt. O'Brien's legal career was interrupted the year he was licensed to practice law when he enlisted in Hood's Texas Brigade despite having voted against secession. After the Civil War, he practiced law and participated in local state and national politics, including publishing a newspaper and serving as Jefferson County District Attorney from 1874 to 1875.
In 1892, Capt. O'Brien was approached by Pattillo Higgins wanting to buy some land from Capt. O'Brien that he had accepted as payment for legal services. Capt. O'Brien offered to instead invest that land for an interest in Patillo's proposed company, the Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company. Capt. O'Brien is featured heavily in the Spindle Top Glady's City Museum's replica Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company building.
In 1892, Capt. O'Brien was approached by Pattillo Higgins wanting to buy some land from Capt. O'Brien that he had accepted as payment for legal services. Capt. O'Brien offered to instead invest that land for an interest in Patillo's proposed company, the Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company. Capt. O'Brien is featured heavily in the Spindle Top Glady's City Museum's replica Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company building.
The O'Brien Oak
The O'Brien Oak was a tree taking its name from Capt. O'Brien and his family, who maintained the tree's health. The shade of this tree was used as Jefferson County's first courthouse. Capt. O'Brien purchased the land the tree was on in 1880. In 1923 the city of Beaumont extended Pearl Street to include the land the tree was on. The O'Brien family deeded the land on the condition that the city maintain enough land as a city park to keep the tree alive, which the city did until 1978 when the tree had to be cut down after being damaged by lightning. A slice of the O'Brien Oak is currently displayed in the Jefferson County Courthouse's mini museum.
Gladys City and Spindletop
The Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company was founded in 1892 by George W. O'Brien, George W. Carroll, Pattillo Higgins, Emma E. John, and J. F. Lanier and marked the birth of the modern petroleum industry when the Lucas Gusher blew in on January 10, 1901. The company was reorganized in 1970 as the Gladys City Company. The O'Brien family is still involved with the management and operation of the company today.