Choosing a lawyer after an injury is difficult precisely because most people do it once, with no basis for comparison. This page explains what we think is worth checking about any Texas personal injury firm — including this one — and where to check it.
Verify board certification, don’t take anyone’s word for it
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization was established by the Supreme Court of Texas to certify attorneys in specific areas of law. Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law requires documented trial experience, peer evaluation by judges and lawyers familiar with the attorney’s work, and a written examination. Few Texas lawyers hold it.
Two attorneys at this firm — Joshua A. Estes and Gary M. Freeman — are Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both certifications can be confirmed independently through the certifying body’s own public records, and our board certification page shows you exactly how, with direct links.
Ask where your case would actually be tried
Fort Bend County injury lawsuits are filed and tried at the county courthouse in Richmond. Our office is minutes from it. A firm handling a Fort Bend case has to work in that venue, before a jury drawn from this county, whatever city its billboards are in — so it is a fair question to ask any firm you are considering.
Ask exactly what the fee arrangement covers
Most personal injury firms work on contingency, but the details differ in ways that matter. Ask specifically whether case expenses — filing fees, records, experts — come out of your pocket if there is no recovery, and whether the fee is calculated before or after those expenses are deducted.
Ours is one sentence: No fee or expenses unless we win.
Ask who will actually handle the file
Ask who answers when you call in month four, and whether the person you are speaking with today will be the person who tries the case if it goes that far. At this firm, the consultation is with the firm — not an out-of-state intake center.
Ask for the honest assessment
A firm willing to tell you that you do not need a lawyer is more useful than one that signs everyone. A no-injury fender bender usually does not need an attorney, and we will say so on the phone rather than sign you up. If you were hurt, that is a different conversation.
Where to check independently
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization — the official directory at tbls.org/findlawyer confirms who actually holds a certification.
- State Bar of Texas — texasbar.com shows license status, admission date, and any certifications for every Texas attorney.
- Fort Bend County Bar Association — the local member directory at fortbendbar.org.
Free consultation, in English or Spanish: (281) 238-5400.
Attorney Advertising. Responsible attorney: William F. Estes. Principal office: Richmond, Texas. No fee or expenses unless we win. Free consultation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
The Estes Law Firm, P.C. · 716 S. Union St, Richmond, Texas 77469 · (281) 238-5400