For most Central Texans, the Ned Granger Building in downtown Austin stands as a staple of local civic life. For me, it bears the name of a grandfather who exemplified what it truly means to protect, support, and deeply cherish family.
My primary memories of my grandfather are not of an elected official commanding a courtroom in a tailored suit. They are entirely human – filled with the warmth, humor, and undivided attention he constantly gave to his grandchildren. I fondly remember our annual family trips to the beach, chasing waves with my cousin while Grandpa kept a watchful eye from the shore. I remember him taking us birding, teaching us to look closely at the world around us. He was a man who loved fun and a bit of playful mischief, famously sneaking us into hotel pools where we weren’t even guests, just to watch us swim.
He was a giant of a man with an equally giant personality. It is impossible for me to forget the time he got pulled over for not wearing his seatbelt. He frantically asked for help buckling it in as the officer walked up, but it was an impossible task because his belly was simply too big.
No matter how busy or larger-than-life he was, Ned Granger listened to children. When you spoke to him, he gave you his complete, undivided attention. He built everything with his grandchildren in mind, and I carry a profound personal obligation to move that legacy forward. That fundamental drive to protect family stability and dignity is exactly why we so fervently practice family law today as The Granger Law Firm, PLLC.
The Chaotic Era Of Austin Law
Before his name was etched into a notable Austin building, Ned Granger served as the elected Travis County Attorney from 1968 to 1976. During this time, he ran the county’s legal department, which later became known as one of the most colorful, chaotic eras in Austin’s history.
Jesse Sublett’s true-crime history, Last Gangster in Austin, provides a vivid window into that world. My grandfather worked right across the street from Frank Smith’s infamous “Junkyard Mafia” bail bond office. As County Attorney, he had to navigate old-school political factions, underworld characters, and intense local power struggles. He was also a man ahead of his time, opening doors by hiring minorities for key positions in his office during an era when doing so was neither socially expected nor legally required.
Through the turbulence of 1970s Austin, he maintained a reputation for progressive leadership, fairness, sharpness, and deep institutional knowledge that ultimately led the county to name its primary administration building in his honor.
As a Texas divorce attorney, Travis Granger focuses on cases where business ownership and marital property collide. He has advised entrepreneurs, professionals, and family-business owners on how Texas courts evaluate ownership, valuation, and post-divorce control, often before mistakes turn profitable companies into contested liabilities. Having guided clients through negotiated buyouts, valuation disputes, and litigation involving closely held businesses, Travis understands how to protect operating businesses while navigating community property law.
If your livelihood is tied to a business, get strategic guidance now and schedule a consultation before decisions are made for you.
Groundbreaking Legal Questions
Ned Granger was not just a bystander to history. He actively helped shape the evolution of modern Texas law. During his tenure, he regularly challenged the boundaries of the legal system by pushing for official Texas Attorney General opinions to resolve unprecedented issues. [1]
In a famous 1972 inquiry, my grandfather challenged the Texas Attorney General on whether the county clerk was obligated to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple. Because the Texas Family Code was completely gender-neutral at the time, his formal inquiry forced the state to grapple with massive, structural constitutional questions decades before they reached the U.S. Supreme Court.
From challenging the boundary lines of county commissioner precincts to clarifying the exact statutory requirements for local deputy sheriffs, his routine legal requests formed the bedrock of how local government and law enforcement function in Central Texas today. [1]
Continuing The Standard
My grandfather, Ned Granger, paired a brilliant legal mind with a deep, authentic eccentricity. This was perfectly illustrated one Christmas when he gave a handcrafted gutbucket bass—a folk instrument fashioned from an overturned galvanized washtub, a wooden staff, and a single wire string. He brought the same sharpness, care, and presence to his work in the law as he did to his relationships with the people he loved.
Today, at The Granger Law Firm, we bring that same rigorous preparation, tenacity, and deep listening to family law and protective order cases. The legal arena has changed since the 1970s, but the stakes for our clients remain the same: protecting the people and legacies that matter most
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
The Granger Law Firm, PLLC has served clients in family law matters since 2021, providing compassionate guidance through divorce, prenuptial agreements, child custody, and protective orders. To discuss your situation, call (512) 800-7394 for a free consultation.
As a Texas divorce attorney, Travis Granger focuses on cases where business ownership and marital property collide. He has advised entrepreneurs, professionals, and family-business owners on how Texas courts evaluate ownership, valuation, and post-divorce control, often before mistakes turn profitable companies into contested liabilities. Having guided clients through negotiated buyouts, valuation disputes, and litigation involving closely held businesses, Travis understands how to protect operating businesses while navigating community property law.
If your livelihood is tied to a business, get strategic guidance now and schedule a consultation before decisions are made for you.
