For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 80,000-plus attorneys, call them, and do a Q&A. We’ve found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?
Most important career lesson: Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” when you don’t know.
Current project: A free, online searchable database of Texas family law cases, with commentary by (and credit given to) volunteer attorneys who identify and submit cases. If you’re interested in participating, drop me a line at jverner@vernerbrumley.com.
Favorite saying/quote: “Take credit when available, not when it’s due!” This is my sole contribution to Western Civilization.
Born: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Age: Have made it to 55 so far.
Family: Married with adult children.
Areas of practice: Family law, especially family law appeals.
Education: B.A. (Political Science), University of Utah, 1975; M.A. (Political Science), Emory University, 1976; J.D., University of San Diego, 1979; Ph.D. (Public Policy & Political Economy), University of Texas at Dallas, t/b/a May 2009.
What kind of car do you drive? An Audi, but the lease is about to run out, so we just ordered a Smart Car.
Mentors and heroes: Ms. Hansen, my high school English teacher; Ms. Miller, my high school math teacher. These teachers inspired me and demanded my best.
Favorite musician: There are so many, but if I had to pick just one, I’d pick the Grateful Dead.
Favorite magazine: It’s a tie between The Nation and Fast Company.
Favorite restaurant: Waffle House.
Current reading material: The Mamur Zapt series, by Michael Pearce.
Memorable vacation: When my wife and I vegetated for a week at an all-inclusive resort on the Mexican Riviera.
My favorite weekend retreats are: My wife and I are renovating an old sailboat that we keep on Joe Pool lake. When we can get out of town for a few days, we like to go to the mountains to fish or ski.
If I had more time, I would: Finish all the projects I have already undertaken.
When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Build/enhance websites.
Who are the people you admire most, and why? Politicians who stood fast in daunting circumstances. My shortlist includes Lincoln, F.D.R. and Churchill. I also admire moral leaders such as Gandhi, Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, and MLK.
What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? Without question, technology. For example, back in the day, many lawyers considered the industry standard to be typing on paper with carbon attached using an IBM Selectric.
How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? Use of the Internet and wireless technologies will increase exponentially.
Jimmy Verner works at Verner & Brumley, P.C. and has a blog, North Texas Family Law Blog.
You can also view Jimmy’s TexasBar.com profile.
Prizes
It’s not every day that you’re randomly picked from among 80,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a TexasBar.com t-shirt and a law firm link (a $50 value).
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Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.