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?
Best thing about being a lawyer: Helping people when they need it.
Bet you didn’t know: That I played college basketball fifty pounds ago.
Another little known fact: My mother didn’t like my moustache.
Born: May 14, 1956
Family: Three children and two grandchildren
Areas of practice: Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation
Education: The Colorado College, B.A., Political Science, 1978; Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D. 1982
Likes/Dislikes: Like: Grandchildren, John Wayne, and my Crackberry. Dislike: Deadlines.
Bad habit: Inhaling nicotine.
Doesn’t: watch much television.
Is not good at: Embroidery. Though, I admit, I haven’t tried it.
Culinary talent: Chili!
What kind of car do you drive? Ford Expedition
Community Involvement: Relay for Life, Adjunct Instructor in Paralegal Studies at Houston Community College
Mentors/heroes: Don Hunt and Gerry Spence
Most important career lesson: Do it now. Not later. Now.
Latest pursuit: Learning Spanish.
Current Project: Writing on Texas Civil Forfeiture
Favorite saying/quote: Fiat Justicia et ruant coelle. (Let justice be done though the heavens fall.)
Pet peeve: Cellphones in restaurants.
When they do the film about you, what actor should portray you? John Lithgow.
Secret for staying young: Grandchildren and deadlines.
Favorite plays: A Man for All Seasons; Buddy
Favorite TV program: Scrubs
Favorite artist: Norman Rockwell
Favorite composers: Warren Zevon
Favorite album: Honky Tonk Masquerade, Joe Ely
Favorite musician: Warren Zevon and Joe Ely (a tie)
Favorite place to find albums: Cactus Music, Houston, Texas
Favorite movie: The Searchers
The last movie I saw was: In the theater, Harry Potter and whatever was the last one; on DVD – GI Joe.
Favorite magazine: Texas Monthly
Favorite sport: Basketball
Favorite food: Homemade chili
Favorite restaurant: Clayton’s, Houston
Where to be found on a Saturday night: Home!
Talents (besides law): Writing
Hobbies: Writing
Collects: Zippo Lighters and Coffee Cups
Generally likes to read: Everything!
Memorable vacation: Cruise to the Cayman Islands
My favorite weekend retreats are: What’s a "retreat?" (None, I suppose.)
If I had more time, I would: Learn Spanish more quickly and write more fiction.
Biggest misconception about me: That I look like my old law school classmate, Jim Peacock.
What most people don’t know about me: That I write poetry.
The part of my job I do best is: Writing.
The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: Don’t assume everyone dislikes what you dislike. Don Hunt, Texas Tech Trial Team Coach, 1981.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? No one. I enjoy being me!
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? Time pressures which challenge us to do everything more quickly, with the same level of excellence.
Who is your favorite on-screen or literary attorney, and why? Rumpole of the Bailey. He spoke the truth, except when he knew better.
If you weren’t an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Sales.
What’s the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? I realized I hated manual labor when I graduated from college.
When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Write.
Who are the people you admire most, and why? I admire the folks who minister to the profoundly ill; they must do their jobs in the face of terrible odds, endure losses with frequency, and yet still go on with hope for the next patient.
What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? Time pressures. In the "old days," one would actually ponder a question, think it through, and arrive at a conclusion. Nowadays, with computer assisted legal research and email, along with that old nemesis, the telephone, we are called upon to do quality legal work in minutes or hours, not days or weeks.
How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? More specialization as the law grows more complex. Simple legal chores will be "de-lawyered," and performed by consumers themselves or by paraprofessionals.
Any words of wisdom or advice for the president of the State Bar of Texas? Listen. Then
listen some more.
Brad Frye works at Lindeman, Alvarado & Frye in Houston.
You can also view Brad’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).
Update Your Online Profile
Have you updated your attorney profile lately? Go to MyBarPage on TexasBar.com, log in, and click "Update My Profile."
Once on your MyBarPage on TexasBar.com under the "Update My Profile" section, click "Edit" under "My Directory Options" to add your photo for free. While you’re there, consider adding a law firm link too. This is a hyperlink from your profile in our Find-a-Lawyer directory to your own law firm website. At only $50/yr, law firm links are a great way to drive traffic to your site.
Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.