For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 87,000-plus attorneys 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: Serving others in need.
Favorite album: When I was a kid, I wore out my Back in Black LP. Now, AC/DC and Country really don’t mix. Though Angus is making a comeback.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? A professional athlete – preferably an NFL quarterback on game day (for the winning team) or an extreme snow skier. There is nothing like an adrenaline rush.
Favorite restaurant: La Margarita (San Antonio in Market Square).
Collects: kids!
Favorite composers: Is George Strait a composer?
What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? Going paperless.
What’s the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? My 10th grade geometry teacher recommended it. This was a bit surprising since my standardized test results likely indicated that I should be a "laborer."
Family: High school sweetheart and wife of 19 years, 4 children ages 14, 11, 8 and 4.
Areas of practice: Personal Injury, Social Security and Business Litigation.
Education: Undergraduate from Baylor University; Law degree from Texas Tech School
of Law.
Bet you didn’t know: I was blind, but now I see; the Good News and Lasik are great.
The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: "keep it short"; a colleague.
Another little known fact: My name is formally shortened from Behrhorst to Behr. This
sort of goes along with the best piece of advice.
Bad habit: An occasional cigar. I don’t think it’s bad. Those around me do.
Culinary talent: Eggs with anything I can find mixed in! Mesquite grilled anything.
Community Involvement: Adding children to the community. Before that, I was involved in local politics, fundraisers, Big Brothers Big Sisters. I remain faithfully involved in my Church.
Mentors/heroes: Lots of supportive friends and family.
Most important career lesson: Patience.
Latest pursuit: I’m always pursuing lots of things. This is true in both my professional (litigation) and personal endeavors (goals, household projects, hunting, sports, etc.).
Current Project: Building an outdoor grill and and a pen for horses.
Pet peeve: Being interrupted while speaking (even though I’m the worst offender).
Favorite artist: My brother-in-law, Jason Lawson. He’s an extremely talented glass blower and incredibly gifted with other media.
Favorite music/musician: Country.
Favorite place to find albums: iTunes.
Favorite magazine: SI or Texas Monthly.
Favorite sport: Watching football; Playing soccer.
Favorite food: Mexican.
Talents (besides law): carpentry – not sure I’d call it a talent.
Hobbies: hunting, fishing, running, reading, golf.
Generally likes to read/Last book read/Current reading material: the Bible, historical
fiction and westerns.
If I had more time, I would: play more golf, fish, and write a book.
The part of my job I do best is: Thorough investigation and effective communication with clients.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? Political partisanship – not so much between attorneys – but among our elected officials. Extreme partisanship has created unreasonable rules, statutes, and precedent that make our jobs unnecessarily inefficient and time consuming (ex. CPRC R. 41.0105 – paid vs. incurred). In the end, our clients pick up the tab.
Who is your favorite on-screen or literary attorney, and why? Denny Crane, Boston Legal. He always finds humor in the situation and ends every show smoking a cigar. I envy his spontaneity.
If you weren’t an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Construction/Architecture.
When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Work with my hands,construction projects around the house, mainly being outdoors, various family activities.
Who are the people you admire most, and why? Jesus Christ – Everyday my goal is to be more like him. I always fall short.
How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? Investigative and research tools will be more abundant and less expensive. The statewide system will be paperless much like the federal system is now. Fax machines and postal carriers will be obsolete.
Bart has a private law practice in San Marcos.
You can also view Bart’s TexasBar.com profile.
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