Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues? I believe that one of my roles as an attorney is to educate my clients about their case. For clients to make decisions about their lives, they need to understand the legal issues in their lawsuits. They need to know what their rights are, what their options are, and what different things to expect both during the process of the lawsuit and as possible outcomes. It is my job to discuss these matters with my clients and to educate them.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients? If a client has prepared a document that they wish me to review, I will gladly do so. I often ask clients to keep information for me in written form so that I may review it and become more familiar with their issues and the facts of their case. Occasionally, I have clients who prepare correspondence, and they want my approval and comments before sending it. I consider it wise of my client to seek this kind of input. Now and then, I have someone who wishes to retain me simply to review and comment on a document. When this is an appropriate role, I will gladly do it.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves? On occasion, I have coached clients who want to represent themselves. Part of my analysis in deciding whether to have this kind of relationship with a client is that client's ability to understand the legal issues and to remain rational and neutral in making decisions about the case.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer? I was looking for a career that required good communication skills, close contact with people, and an opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. I also wanted a career that would not be mundane or dull, and that would continually present a challenge. Family law certainly meets all of these criteria. It's never dull!

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer? My philosophy is that everything we do in life and everything that happens to us should serve to make us better people and that includes better at our careers. Probably the single thing that has impacted me most as a family lawyer is being a parent. It is not until one has a child that one can truly appreciate the bond and commitment that comes with parenthood. When I have a case that involves the relationship of a child and a parent, I am even more committed than I was before I had a child at making sure that my representation of my client serves to preserve and improve that parent-child relationship.

The second experience that has made me a better lawyer is my own personal experience as a client or party in a lawsuit. I recognize the need that I have had for good quality legal representation, and I know that my clients deserve the same kind of empathy, courtesy, and dedication that I was blessed to have when I needed it.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice? I chose litigation because I love being in the courtroom. The mental competition is invigorating. The planning and strategizing is exciting. It's like a sparring match, only mental instead of physical. Being in trial has an intensity that can be addictive.

I chose family law because it gives me the opportunity to help people through difficult times. Also, each case is different from the others I've had, and each is just as important to the people living through them. In family law, no two days are alike and we are never bored.

I chose collaborative law as soon as it came to Texas, because I had long recognized that litigation is often harmful to families. Litigation is by its nature adversarial, and it is often difficult to keep cases from escalating in animosity. Collaborative law provides a structure for reaching agreements outside of litigation, even in very difficult cases. I have always been skilled at seeing all aspects of a situation, and I have an ability to understand differing perspectives. These skills coupled with an empathetic nature make me a natural at collaborative law.

What do you like best about your career? I like working with people. I like the continuing challenge. And I like the variety.

Tell us about your law firm: We are both very informal and highly professional. You may drop in to the office and find me in jeans and barefoot, but my work product is always top quality. We use first names, and we are both casual and courteous.

What are your strengths and style? Like many martial artists, I believe in seeking a peaceful route if it is appropriate or possible, but I'm not reluctant to use force when it is needed.

My best attribute is probably my ability to communicate - both in writing and orally. I am able to talk with people from all walks of life and I am an attentive listener.

I believe that everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect, an attitude that helps get things resolved. Even if we have to go into battle, I prefer to play clean and to take the high road in all matters. This style of dealing with the court and my opposing counsel has earned me a good reputation as an attorney with integrity, which in turn serves my clients well.

I prefer to prepare for hearings and trial, and I am not comfortable "winging it." My intention if we are in litigation is to win, and that is best done by hard work prior to any court appearance.

Personal Interests: My personal interests are my twelve year old daughter, martial arts, and rock climbing.

My daughter is imaginative and fun, always in action, and very loving.

I have been taking martial arts for about six years. I have achieved the rank of first degree black belt, which means that I am in the advanced class, the same class that has the amazing martial artists I've admired for so long. Part of what I love about martial arts is how positive it is - the values are of self-discipline, respect, courtesy, and honor. I think martial arts helps to keep me young because I am interacting with (and competing against) other martial artists who are much younger than me.

I started rock climbing in 1973 at the age of 15. I have been a member of the local climbing club, Texas Mountain Raiders, since 1994. I am their local trip coordinator and an officer for the club. I have always been happiest when I am out on a crag somewhere, feeling the sun on my back, listening to the breeze play through the leaves in the trees, and feeling the scaly scratchiness of the rock against the skin on my arms and legs as I inch upward, one crystal or flake or nub at a time. I recently married my climbing partner, so we explore the vertical world together frequently.

As the Director of Legal Publications for Internet LAVA, LLC, a full service web design and internet marketing firm for legal professionals, I have the unique position where I am able to write legal content in full compliance with state bar rules for our clients, create press releases on topics that affect our clients, and develop article ideas that are relevant to the legal community.

The Internet LAVA team works together to provide the following services to our clients:

Internet Marketing for Attorneys -
Legal marketing on the internet gives attorneys and law firms a unique way to market their firm by focusing on particular practice areas, clients and cases; providing links to niche interior pages of their website; providing outbound links to other websites dealing in matters the attorney wants their practice to focus on; providing prospective clients easy access to specific geographical information for the attorney's firm; and developing original content that helps the law firm's website rank higher on internet search engines.

Attorney Website Design -
Internet LAVA's design techniques provide our clients with original, professional and innovative web page layouts. Our designs give attorneys and law firms a way to create a noticeable and original logo, a particular brand image and identity associated with the firm, and professional public recognition for the law firm.

Original Web Legal Content -
Our legal content is unique to each client and the jurisdiction they practice in. We focus on the legal rules, statutes and laws of each state, and incorporate this information into content that is based on the unique needs and desires of each of our clients. Internet LAVA's content is rich in keywords to encourage search engine optimization in each of our client's particular jurisdictions.

Search Engine Optimization for Attorneys -
At Internet LAVA, we develop numerous pages for each of our attorneys' websites, create keyword-rich and individualized content for these pages, constantly update and add pages to each of our clients' websites, and continuously add various internal links and develop authoritative backlinks for our clients to ensure our attorney and law firm pages rank #1 when searched for on the internet.

Social Media Marketing for Lawyers -
We create social media profiles for each of our attorneys' websites on accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Lawlink to enhance their online presence and develop different avenues to reach local consumers on specific legal topics.

Legal Blogs, Online Press Releases and Online Articles -
We help our legal clients reach their maximum online presence and provide a different avenue to create informative content in areas they desire to practice by creating legal blogs, press releases and online legal articles.

Compliance with State Bar Rules -
The American Bar Association and almost every jurisdiction in the United States have rules attorneys regulating website design and advertising. Most states now consider legal websites as an advertising tool, and require lawyers to follow the rules of ethical and professional conduct in that state. Although every jurisdiction has different laws, we make the effort to inform each of our clients of the bar rules in their jurisdiction and make sure their websites are in compliance with the state bar rules for attorney marketing online.

Specific Practice Area Marketing -
We provide online marketing for our clients in all areas of the law, including general criminal defense marketing, personal injury marketing, internet advertising for family law, and niche marketing for areas like DUI/DWI marketing, marijuana possession marketing, and medical malpractice marketing. We create pages tailored to the areas each of our clients desires to focus on.

We provide attorney and law firm marketing and advertising websites in all legal areas and can be reached at 1-800-292-LAVA. The following list includes a few practice areas we develop custom websites and internet marketing campaigns for:

Retired Officer from the Michigan State Police.

I have a small solo practice and intend to remain a general law attorney.

The Law Office of James Zier, P.C. is a full service law firm representing clients throughout Pearland, the Houston metropolitan area, Texas, and the world. Mr. Zier has broad experience in civil litigation, criminal litigation, and transactional matters.

The practice philosophy at my office is to provide our clients with the highest quality legal advice and representation they deserve at a fair and reasonable price. We have handled cases ranging from the simplest, uncontested matter to litigation against some of Houston's largest law firms. I enjoy working with my clients to determine their best course of action and include them in each step of the process.

Call today to schedule your consultation - you will always meet with an attorney, not a paralegal. We have two locations for your convenience - Downtown Houston and Old Town Tomball. Don't delay - knowing your options is the first step to protecting your family and your rights.

Board Certified - Family Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Mr. Brashear's legal career began with a tour aboard the U.S.S. Philippine Sea (CG58). While aboard this U.S. Naval vessel, he defended the United States while visiting and taking in the cultural values of many other countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, Spain, Italy and Greece. Mr. Brashear had the pleasure of working with the Navy Legal Service Office Southeast Jacksonville, Florida; where he processed claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act. While in Jacksonville, he was also stationed with the Trial Service Office Southeast where he was an elite member of their prosecution team. This prosecution team handled a myriad of cases including murder, rape, drug related crimes, embezzlement, felony and misdemeanors. Mr. Brashear went on to also serve three years with the criminal defense and legal assistance teams at Naval Legal Service Office Central in Gulfport, Mississippi. While stationed in Gulfport, Mr. Brashear handled a wide variety of matters to include but not limited to: criminal defense, general civil matters, estate planning, will drafting, constitutional law issues, contract drafting, and personal injury matters.

Mr. Brashear was raised on the west side of Houston, Texas and graduated from Katy High School where he was an exceptional athlete. Since his tour in the United States Navy and completing his education, Mr. Brashear has moved back to the area and began a private practice. When Jeffrey is not working hard for his clients, you might find him out on a baseball field with his children, playing his guitar, or even fishing in Galveston Bay.

Mr. Brashear is currently licensed to practice law by the Supreme Court of Texas. He is a member in good standing with the American Bar Association, The State Bar of Texas, The Texas Young Lawyers Association, The Houston Bar Association, The Houston Young Lawyers Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Brashear's practice areas include: criminal defense, family, personal injury, civil, business, real estate, construction, corporate and commercial law.