After working for a decade as a petroleum engineer, Carl established a law firm practice more than 35 years ago that focuses on Real Estate and Oil & Gas, as well as litigation in those areas. He is a frequent speaker and writer on developments in the law that impact business decision-makers and entrepreneurs. These same business folks have allowed a transition to include other areas of law, including estate planning, probate, and lots of transactional work. As a result, our firm routinely helps form new limited liability companies and other corporate structures. Carl's experience in commercial collections and lien preparation for contractors and oil & gas service companies is second to none. Clients rely on his varied business background for all types of out-of-the-box advice. Carl and Tamra also own Katy Budget Books, a local Katy fixture for 40 years. That small business experience colors much of what we do and how we do it in this law firm. Carl truly believes he is the luckiest guy around!

 

And now some of my own thoughts: My wife typically tells all her friends that she married an engineer with no social skills. I freely admit she might be right. Which is why I love it when something breaks around the house, giving me the chance to declare “I’m an engineer, I can fix anything!” And that is when she rolls her eyes and calls the plumber-electrician-handyman to stand by.

 

But you’re probably reading this in your own search to find someone who understands that hiring an attorney can be scary, and maybe a little intimidating. Since I wasn’t always an attorney, I still remember wondering if that person really knew my concerns about costs, billings, procedures, judges, strategy, the opposing counsel, etc., etc. Before Google, we had to rely on either Yellow Pages or recommendations of friends to find someone. Today, it's this bio stuff that lawyers post about themselves like this, or online reviews. But word of mouth is still good. And recommendations and referrals from other lawyers are especially nice. I’m really proud that the most significant part of our new clients come from referrals from other lawyers.

 

So more about me and this firm: I love being a lawyer. I love working with people to handle some of their hardest problems and hurdles that life seems to throw at us. I love it when we hire a new attorney or paralegal who feels the same way, and who understands that it's an honor when someone engages us to assist in these hurdles. For fun stuff, my wife and I ride a tandem bicycle in lots of fun places. My garden is fantastic, except in the dead of summer when only okra can grow. My grandkids are even more fantastic. Wanna trade photos?

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Certification/Specialties:

• Registered Professional Engineer, State of Texas

• Board Certified: Commercial Real Estate Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

• Board Certified: Residential Real Estate Law, by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

 

Bar Admissions:

• State of Texas, 1988

• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 1989

• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas

 

Education:

• University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas, 1988; J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence

• South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas, 1986

• Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1977
  B.S., Petroleum Engineering