The rhythm of Glast Phillips Murray Zopolsky (GPMZ) is relentless—phones ringing, attorneys maneuvering through high-stakes negotiations, and paralegals flipping through case files with surgical precision. There are no marble-clad lobbies or sky-high rents—just a workspace designed for performance. Troy Phillips, in a no-frills office, scrutinizes financials with the meticulousness of a chess master, ensuring resources are deployed where they matter most. Across the hall, Joe Zopolsky leads a litigation huddle, dissecting case strategy like a battlefield tactician. There’s no wasted motion here—just a firm built for results. Associates sharpen arguments, partners prep for trial, and clients walk through doors that don’t need to be gilded to signify trust. The scent of coffee lingers, but no one slows down. Phillips keeps the machine running lean; Zopolsky fuels its fire. Together, they aren’t just leading GPMZ—they’re redefining legal excellence in real-time. This is law at full throttle!
Today, in this cover story, we step inside the powerhouse that is GPMZ, guided by the two forces shaping its future. From Phillips’ razor-sharp operational mindset to Zopolsky’s unmatched ability to build relationships, their leadership has turned this firm into a legal juggernaut.
What drives them? What lessons have shaped their approach? And how do they see the future of law evolving? Through exclusive insights and behind-the-scenes moments, we explore how these two leaders are not just practicing law but transforming it. Stay tuned till the end, as these legal luminaries show the path how they are redefining the future of law.
A Predestined Path to Law
Phillips’ path to the legal profession, while rooted in a childhood prediction, unfolded against the backdrop of the Texas oilfields. “I don’t remember why I chose the law,” he reflects, “but I was told it was listed as my future occupation when I was in the second grade.” Living in 14 different towns by the time he started high school, he developed a strong desire for stability, recognizing that education was the key to achieving it. Gradually this goal evolved, leading him to aim to be a trial lawyer.
Phillips acknowledges a strong work focus, establishing a firm separation between work and home. He believes in a cooperative legal practice, prioritizing in-office collaboration for optimal client service. He aspires to be known as a trustworthy lawyer, devoted family man, and reliable friend. As managing director, he steers the firm toward high-quality, cost-effective legal services.
GPMZ’s co-founding stemmed from dissatisfaction with traditional law models, emphasizing cost-efficiency and precision. Phillips ensures lawyers have essential tools, avoiding unnecessary overhead to offer lower hourly rates while providing the same level of service. He stresses hard work, expertise, and ethical conduct as keys to legal success. Phillips maintains an open-door policy, replacing formal meetings with direct communication, a structure that has served the firm for over 30 years.
Recognizing Zopolsky’s integral role, his name was added to the firm. Phillips expresses pride in the firm’s dedicated lawyers and the absence of internal conflicts, which contribute to their longevity and future.
An Unconventional Legal Journey
If Phillips’ path to law was foretold, Zopolsky’s was a discovery. Raised by a medical doctor and a registered nurse, he was expected to pursue a noble profession. “Since medical school didn’t appeal, the law seemed to be an apt alternative,” Zopolsky says with a chuckle. Before immersing himself in legal practice, he took an unexpected detour—teaching high school Spanish and coaching football and baseball. Those experiences sharpened his ability to lead, communicate, and connect—skills that would later define his client relationships and drive the expansion of GPMZ’s litigation practice.
Zopolsky relays that his professional path included initial training at an insurance defense law firm. He then progressed to Sandbote, Waggoner & Zopolsky, where he advanced from associate to partner. He states that in 2010, he transitioned that group into what was then Glast, Phillips & Murray. He further emphasizes that for the past 15 years, the firm, now bearing his name, has served as his professional home and that he has expanded his litigation group by over 30 lawyers and support staff since joining the firm.
Today, Zopolsky represents clients in civil litigation and a broad range of legal matters across Texas and the nation. His practice spans various facets of civil litigation and business law, earning him recognition in prestigious legal publications as a top-rated attorney. Notably, in addition to circumnavigating commercial disputes, he has worked on cases involving systemic abuse within certain organizations and institutions—finding particular reward in bringing peace and resolution to those impacted by adversity. He has played on all sides of these cases—as counsel, mediator, and court-appointed officer.
Dual Acclaim: Excellence Recognized
Ranked among “The Most Influential Business Leaders to Watch in 2025,” both Phillips and Zopolsky demonstrate a commitment to legal excellence, evidenced by their distinguished credentials and professional recognition.
Phillips laid a strong academic foundation, earning his Bachelor of Arts from North Texas State University and his Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law. His legal education was marked by significant achievements, including membership in the Order of Barristers and participation on the University of Texas State Champion Moot Court Team.
Zopolsky’s professional standing is equally impressive. In addition to his AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, his expertise has garnered recognition from esteemed publications such as the National Law Journal, Corporate Counsel, The American Registry, Attorney Intel, The American Lawyer, Texas Lawyer, The Dallas Morning News, and D Magazine. But what moments does he consider pivotal in his journey? He points to law school graduation, passing the bar, and becoming a named partner as key milestones. While the legal field abounds with accolades, he takes particular pride in his Texas SuperLawyers election and numerous Top-Rated Attorney honors from various organizations.
Building a Law Firm That Defies Convention
Both leaders share a keen dissatisfaction with traditional law firm models. For Phillips, pragmatism drives operations. “We do not spend money on the highest rent or the most lavish offices because that does not in any way affect the work done for clients,” he asserts. Instead, GPMZ equips attorneys with the best tools and resources—without unnecessary overhead.
The result? The firm maintains significantly lower costs than competitors, offering clients lower hourly rates while delivering the same high-quality service. Phillips underscores the importance of a “cooperative enterprise,” where lawyers collaborate and draw on collective expertise to best serve clients.
Zopolsky, meanwhile, has driven GPMZ’s growth. His leadership hinges on human connection. “I am proud of spearheading the growth of the firm and client base through sustained efforts and a focus on quality relationships,” he remarks. While largely overseeing relationship management, operations, and finance, he insists that the firm’s apex rests on a cadre of skilled, reliable professionals he deeply values. Their success, he notes, stems from mutual commitment and ongoing collaboration. His influence ensures that GPMZ operates efficiently without losing sight of the people—clients and colleagues alike. The firm’s structure enhances efficiency and creates an environment of transparency.
Two Leaders, One Vision
These two industry leaders know that success isn’t just measured in won cases, but in the sagacity to navigate labyrinthine regulations, the deftness to outmaneuver adversaries, and the tenacity to uphold justice against the headwinds of contention. While distinct in their approaches, they are united in their mission to cultivate a law firm defined by excellence and integrity.
Preferring clarity over complexity, Phillips upholds an inclusive policy that removes bureaucratic obstacles. “We operate without committees or partners’ meetings—our guiding principles are transparency and honesty,” he declares, reflecting his focus on streamlined operations.
Zopolsky, while equally dedicated to the firm’s success, embraces a more personal leadership style. He acknowledges the demanding nature of his profession and appreciates the importance of maintaining a balanced life, particularly concerning his family. “My kids are not aware of exactly how much I work,” he admits, “since I have always highly prioritized being present.” He blocks out important family events on his calendar and works around them, ensuring he is there for school events, performances, sports, and competitions. While he admits to not having a perfectly balanced life, he makes a conscious effort to be present in his children’s lives.
To further illustrate his leadership philosophy, Zopolsky shares that, despite obtaining his MBA through weekend coursework to most effectively operate his former firm, he ultimately prioritizes a straightforward approach: hiring top talent, facilitating their growth, building trust, and creating synergies. He accentuates the importance of empowering others to maintain consistent high standards.
Strategic Growth, Measured Impact
While many firms pursue rapid expansion, Phillips and Zopolsky have charted a different course, prioritizing quality over sheer size. “We have resisted trends of some organizations to aggressively expand their geographic footprints,” Zopolsky explains. GPMZ’s growth is deliberate and strategic, ensuring that the firm’s hallmark reputation for excellence remains paramount.
Their long-term vision is to continue growing organically, focusing on building strong relationships and providing superior client service. They recognize the challenge of maintaining these standards as they expand, but they are committed to doing so at a deliberate pace. They have resisted the trend of aggressive expansion, choosing instead to focus on the quality of their services and the well-being of their team.
To illustrate his perspective on challenges, Zopolsky conveys that perseverance through difficulties builds resilience, making future obstacles more manageable. He emphasizes that reflecting on past successes helps make navigating roadblocks routine. He also underscores the importance of appreciating daily progress and their collective history. The veteran believes some organizations stray from core ideals, focusing solely on metrics. He argues that while financial success is essential, a concurrent focus on productivity, mission, and relationships will – ironically – yield even greater long-term revenue. Zopolsky sees his role in the evolution of the legal industry as maintaining this balance.
With Phillips driving efficiency and cost-effectiveness and Zopolsky nurturing growth, GPMZ is poised for sustained success. Their leadership demonstrates that in a profession often steeped in tradition, genuine innovation stems not from unquestioningly adhering to established norms but from thoughtfully redefining them.
Own Your Path: Wisdom for Aspiring Lawyers
Both Phillips and Zopolsky, having carved distinct paths to legal excellence, offer powerful advice to those setting out on their own legal journeys. Phillips, whose early life in the Texas oilfields instilled a deep respect for hard work, offers a straightforward truth: “The practice of law is a difficult profession, and the only way to achieve success is hard work.” He underlines the necessity of developing specialized expertise and building a reputation defined by the Boy Scout code—an exemplar of integrity and trustworthiness.
Zopolsky, known for his inter-personal approach, urges young attorneys to cultivate meaningful connections. “Focus on quality relationships,” he advises, be it with mentors, esteemed colleagues, or clients whose collaboration is fulfilling. He stresses the importance of initiative and ownership, encouraging them to “think like you own the place—from day one.” He also highlights the power of focused effort: “If you socialize for an hour, eat for an hour, surf the internet, and text for an hour, you need to spend a long time at the office to get the job done. A focused lawyer will have more time to do non-lawyerly things in their life, which is a self-perpetuating formula for continued drive.”
Zopolsky asserts that young attorneys must refuse to be reduced to mere statistics or replaceable parts within their firms. He believes stakeholders quickly recognize those who treat the organization as their own, rather than simply a place to clock in and out. He suggests that if a young attorney proactively identifies a procedural inefficiency and proposes a solution, they demonstrate a custodian’s mindset. He concludes that such individuals are invariably drawn into higher-level strategic discussions, signaling that they are progressing toward significant professional growth and rewards far beyond routine legal tasks.
