25+ years ago, I was a young law school graduate fresh out of the University of Nebraska. When I stood at a pay phone in Kenedy, Texas to learn that I had passed the Texas Bar, I never could have imagined the variety of people I would meet, the interesting cases in which I would be involved, or the unbelievable feeling of winning a jury verdict.
Since that November day in 1991, I have tried cases throughout the State of Texas, to the judge and to juries, and I have seen great things and great changes in and out of the courtroom. One thing that has always remained constant is the relationship I have with my clients. I have always believed that effective client representation necessarily involves connection and communication. My clients know that I am personally involved in their cases and that they have access to me when they need me.
Whether there is an emergency need to execute a will at the hospital, a fast-approaching deadline for filing a materialman’s lien, or simply a question about what business entity is the best for their situation, my clients know that they can count on me to be there for them. Serving as general counsel for hundreds of small businesses, I get calls for help with a vast array of situations and cases.
This has provided me with a wide knowledge base and experience handling many types of cases. Currently, my practice focuses primarily on business law, wills and probate, personal injury cases, and collections. However, depending on my clients’ needs, I handle many other types of cases.
I also maintain a referral network of knowledgeable attorneys that can step in to assist my clients. One such area of practice is family law, including divorces and adoptions. It has been my good fortune to have a law partner that I have known since we were both Air Force brats in junior high school. Ernie Martin is uniquely qualified in that area of law and has been a pioneer in the field of collaborative divorce, which seeks to reach an agreement without resorting to litigation.
Our philosophy has always been to do what is best for the client. This means educating our clients about the law and how it applies to their particular set of facts. Most of the time, the client is best served through cool headed, strategic negotiation and chess-game posturing to reach an agreement favorable to the client. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to fight to protect my clients’ interests. Should you become one of my clients, know this. If it comes to a fight, I will fight for you and because I hate to lose, I will fight to win.
