Rachael Jones

Rachael Jones is a Principal in McKool Smith’s Dallas office and a veteran trial lawyer with more than two decades of courtroom experience. She focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar defense, including government investigations, enforcement actions, and complex criminal proceedings.

Prior to joining McKool Smith, Rachael served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, where she supervised federal prosecutors while maintaining an active caseload involving complex federal matters.

Rachael represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of business-related disputes, including trade secrets, non-competes, and breach of contract litigation. She also represents clients and relators in litigation involving consumer fraud, privacy, and safety issues, and Deceptive Trade Practice Act-related matters.

Rachael’s white-collar practice includes representing and advising business executives, professionals, and other clients in navigating complex criminal matters. This includes preparing for law enforcement interviews and responding to grand jury subpoenas. She draws from her many years of experience working with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and officers to provide clients with an insider’s perspective and strategic edge to combat even the most sensitive allegations.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 2015 to 2025, Rachael conducted major investigations and prosecutions involving securities and wire fraud, healthcare fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering, among other matters. She has tried more than 80 jury trials and is known for her tenacious and expert courtroom skills. Rachael is often brought onto trial teams and investigations for her ability to examine difficult witnesses and develop compelling trial themes that persuade judges and juries.

Prior to her federal service, Rachael spent more than a decade at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where she held leadership roles including Chief Prosecutor in both a Felony Trial Court and the Community Prosecution Unit. She supervised prosecutors, helped train numerous attorneys, launched and managed a community-based prosecution unit, implemented diversion programs, and led outreach and prevention initiatives. Some of her most meaningful work was in the child abuse division, where she prosecuted numerous cases involving sexual assault and injuries of children. Her work in that unit preparing children to testify about abuse they suffered is what makes her a perfect teacher to prepare witnesses and clients for their own questioning by opposing counsel.

Rachael began her legal career at the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2009.

In addition to her legal practice, Rachael is deeply engaged in civic and professional service. She is a past President of the Rotary Club of Dallas, Vice President of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Board member for Safer Dallas, a Master of the Honorable Sarah T. Hughes Inn of Court, and a former Barrister of the Honorable Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court. Rachael has also served as an adjunct professor teaching trial advocacy at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and as a member and panel chair of the Texas Bar District 6 Grievance Committee. She is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, a Paul Harris fellow for the Rotary International Foundation, and Price Cross Partner for the Rotary Club of Dallas Foundation. Rachael frequently speaks and teaches on trial advocacy and criminal law at national programs hosted by the Department of Justice, National District Attorneys Association, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA).

• Awarded the "Superior Performance Award" by the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas, (2023, 2024)
• Awarded the "Ethics Award" by Rotary Club of Dallas, 2014
• Recognized among Lawdragon's 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, 2026

Board Certified, Criminal Law 2009-Present

Board Member, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, 2024-2026

Master, The Honorable Sarah T. Huges Federal Criminal Inn of Court

President, Rotary Club of Dallas, 2022-2023

Board Member, Safer Dallas

Advisor, Honor Our Heroes

Vice Chancellor, All Angels Foundation

Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International Foundation

Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

Price Cross Partner, Rotary Club of Dallas Foundation

Adjunct Professor for Trial Skills, SMU Dedman School of Law, 2020-2022

Verger Corp, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church

Vice Chancellor, All Angels Foundation

Panel Chair, Texas State Bar District 6 Grievance Committee