Check the license first
Every Texas attorney is listed with the State Bar of Texas, including any public disciplinary history. Verify the license before you sign anything.
Look for relevant focus
Board certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization is a strong signal in areas like family law, personal injury trial law and criminal law. It requires substantial experience plus a rigorous exam.
Understand the fee structure
- Hourly with a retainer, common in family and business matters
- Contingency, common in injury cases, typically one third to 40%
- Flat fee, common in wills, simple criminal matters and immigration filings
Ask for the fee agreement in writing before you hire.
Questions worth asking
- Who will actually handle my case day to day?
- How quickly do you return calls and emails?
- What is your realistic assessment of the outcome and timeline?
This article is general legal information, not legal advice.
Sources & further reading
- State Bar of Texas — Find a Lawyer & Attorney Status — State Bar of Texas
Lawyer Direct provides general legal information for educational purposes. This content is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and individual circumstances vary.