Our Offices

Visitors to Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P., are always curious about the unique building housing the firm's Brownsville offices.

The 1912 Old Cameron County Jail Building was designed by renowned San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres, and the original structure was completed in 1912. The fourth floor was added in approximately 1929 by Ayers and his son and partner Robert Ayers. It served as the county jail and sheriff's office from 1912 until 1978, when new facilities were completed.

The building is of architectural importance due to its classical revival style, a distinctive feature for this type of building. A one-story outbuilding dedicated to food service was erected in the back courtyard in the 1940s.

Some of South Texas' most notorious criminals have been incarcerated in the jail. The jail even carried out a hanging in the back courtyard during the era when local county governments were responsible for carrying out the executions ordered within their boundaries. Melquiades Chapa and Jose Buenrostro , two convicted felons from the border “bandit raid era” (1915 – 1916), were executed on May 19, 1916, and famed turn of the century border photographer Robert Runyon documented that hanging with both candid action photographs and a formal portrait of the two men. The jail also served as the temporary residence of Charles “Hit Man” Harrelson – father of actor Woody Harrelson of “Cheers” Fame – after his arrest for the murder of a resident of Hidalgo County. The elder Harrelson was later convicted in the assassination of United States District Judge John H. Wood of San Antonio, Texas.

The jail moved to another structure in 1978, and in 1992 the Old Cameron Jail Building was sold by sealed bid to “La Carcel, L.L.P.” – a partnership consisting in large part of the named partners in Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P's. predecessor firm, Rodriguez, Colvin & Chaney, L.L.P. Restoration work for use as the law firm's office space and other offices was completed in 1993. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, is a recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and is found on the Brownsville Heritage Trail.

Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P., is proud that the Old Cameron County Jail Building once again contributes to the civic life of the community.

Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P., also maintains an office at 323 W. Cano, Suite 100, Edinburg, Hidalgo County, Texas 78539.  The office houses Neil Norquest, appellate practitioner who is of counsel to the firm, and serves as a base of operations for clients with trials, depositions, or other matters in Hidalgo County court actions.

The attorneys at Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P., have a long and respected record of defending individuals and companies against claims of products liability, employment law, and toxic torts.

For a consultation with the lawyers of Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney & Saenz, L.L.P., call 956-542-7441, or contact us online.