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Thomas P. Carnes
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Thomas P. Carnes
Thomas P. Carnes, Attorney & Mediator
945 Barnett Street
Kerrville, TX 78028
Phone: (830) 896-9140 | Fax: (830) 896-0129
http://www.thomaspcarnes.com
Professional. Responsive. Different. Better.
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I am particularly suited to contested or complex family law cases in which there are disputed or difficult issues, as opposed to cases in which the problems largely solve themselves. I view myself as a problem solver rather than a scribe. If there are no problems to solve, a client would be better served from a financial standpoint by engaging someone less experienced and, therefore, less expensive. I enjoy working most with other professionals and small business owners, who tend to have more realistic expectations, a greater understanding of what I do, how I add value, and what it takes to run a small firm. Generally, my clients become friends, and there is nothing more satisfying to me than helping friends through difficult life issues.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Common Law Marriage
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Colleges & Universities
- Individualized Education Plans
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
- Student Rights
- Teacher Abuse
- Title IX
- Trade & Technical Schools
- Special Education
- Age Discrimination
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Proxy
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I am particularly suited to contested or complex family law cases in which there are disputed or difficult issues, as opposed to cases in which the problems largely solve themselves. I view myself as a problem solver rather than a scribe. If there are no problems to solve, a client would be better served from a financial standpoint by engaging someone less experienced and, therefore, less expensive. I enjoy working most with other professionals and small business owners, who tend to have more realistic expectations, a greater understanding of what I do, how I add value, and what it takes to run a small firm. Generally, my clients become friends, and there is nothing more satisfying to me than helping friends through difficult life issues.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Collaborative Law
Bar Admissions
TX, Nov 1992
Bar Number: 00783795
Other Court Admissions
Texas State Courts and Federal District Courts for all Texas Districts.
Association Memberships
State Bar of Texas, Kerr County Bar Association, Kendall County Bar Association and Gillespie County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I am a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, which requires twice the state mandated continuing legal education hours each year.
Example Cases
In our family law practice, we generally only handle complex and hotly contested cases. We have significant experience in defending persons falsely accused of child physical and/or sexual abuse. We also have experience in the area of family violence protective orders, and CPS intervention. Additionally, we've handled case in the area of collaborative divorce. We have also worked on cases in which there are mental health issues or substance abuse issues.
Education
Degree:
MBA
School:
University of North Texas
City:
Denton
State:
TX
Year:
1988
Degree:
BBA
School:
University of North Texas
City:
Denton
State:
TX
Year:
1983
Honors:
Jack Johnson Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Economics
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Houston Law Center
City:
Houston
State:
TX
Year:
1992
Honors:
Graduated magna cum laude; Order of the Coif; Order of the Barons
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Texas
Firm Focus and History
• Thomas P. Carnes, Attorney & Counselor, Houston, Texas - Solo practice from February 2002 to June, 2004.
• Carnes Ely LLP, Houston, Texas - Partnership with John Ely, from June 2004 to November 2007.
• Thomas P. Carnes, Attorney & Mediator, Kerrville, Texas, November, 2008 to present; solo practice.
We are a civil trial law firm that tries family law cases (approximately 50%) and business litigation matters (approximately 50%). A significant part of our family law practice has always been in defending persons falsely accused (generally during a custody battle) of child, physical or sexual abuse. Almost without exception, our cases are contested cases, and we are generally not hired for uncontested divorces. Due to my MBA, practical business experience, and business litigation experience, we have significant expertise in property valuation and division in divorce.
Previous Employment Summary
• 1992-1993 Honigman Miller Schwarz and Cohn, Houston.
• 1993-1994 Seiler, Bonica Cohn & Stebbins; Seiler, Cohn & Stebbins, Houston.
• 1995- 2002 Liddell, Sapp, Zively, Hill & LaBoon; Locke, Liddell & Sapp (post-merger), Houston, Texas.
Activities and Awards
• AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
H-Texas Magazine:
• Top Lawyers 2007-2008.
• Top Family Lawyers 2006-2008.
• Top Lawyers for the People 2006-2008.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Clients should always be educated, and I think that it is one of the attorney's tasks to keep the client educated and informed about his or her case. I think it is prudent for clients to also educate themselves elsewhere, such as through legal books written for the lay population and the internet. I do not think that any client education is a substitute for having the right lawyer - the one who keeps them educated and informed.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am rarely willing to review documents prepared by clients, unless the documents were derived from approved State Bar of Texas, family law section forms, from the Family Practice Manual.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am unwilling to coach clients in self-representation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to be a lawyer for several reasons. First, I wanted the freedom to live and work wherever I wanted, which is impossible if you are an employee of a large organization, or at least it was way back in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Second, I like working with people and developing business relationships, which really requires the kind of one-to-one interaction that attorneys have with clients. Lastly, I was profoundly influenced by John Houseman as Professor Kingsfield in "The Paper Chase." From Junior High School on I knew I wanted to go to law school, even if I did not ultimately decide to practice law.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was fortunate enough as a young lawyer to work at large law firms with spectacular and patient senior partners, who taught me a great deal. I am, and have for some time been, a small business owner, which gives me a real connection to the concerns of small business people including, but not limited to, billing issues. I am a husband with a successful marriage, but I have also lived through a failed marriage and divorce and come out the other side. I am a father, but have had to confront difficulties in that arena also, due to divorce. There is very little that one of my clients could go through that I have not gone through myself.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I actually have two primary areas of practice: business litigation and family law. Until 2002, I worked at large law firms and dealt only with complex commercial litigation. The reason that I decided to add family law as a significant part of my practice when I started my own firm was that I liked dealing with people more than I liked dealing with institutions. When I went out on my own I deliberately focused on small businesses and individuals, so that I could know my clients and understand and address their needs.
What do you like best about your career?
I had the freedom to move from Houston, Texas, where I had a great practice, to the Texas Hill Country, which my wife and I love, and was thereby able to move to her family farm. Because of this, she was able to spend the last six months of her father's life with him. We get to raise sheep and cattle, and have a rural lifestyle. As I said before, I get to meet and develop relationships with great people - clients, other lawyers, and judges. What could be better than that?
Tell us about your law firm:
For the first time in a long time, I am a solo practitioner, and do not have any staff. So, at least right now, the buck begins and stops with me. Even in the past, my clients always told me that they appreciated our firm because they always dealt directly with the principal they hired, rather than someone further down the chain of command. To me, in a day when people tend to hire lawyers, and not law firms, it is essential that this attribute of my firm and practice remain the same.
What are your strengths and style?
I tend to think a little outside the box, and do not view problems in a vacuum. Perhaps that is a result of so many years of solving and getting my arms around so many complicated commercial concepts and issues, but I find that this tendency to think outside the box is particularly helpful in dealing with family law cases. I am a good listener, a good thinker and tend to have really good instincts. I am a quick study. I am a zealous advocate for my clients, but not by any means a Rambo lawyer. I always do what I say I will do. I never promise more than I can accomplish, and always try to deliver more than the client expects. I may not always get the desired result, but I have never had a client who wished they had hired my opposing counsel.
Personal Interests:
My wife Beverly and I raise heritage breeds of sheep and cattle on our farm in Fredericksburg, Texas, garden aggressively and operate farm-stay tourist accommodations in the form of log cabins. I have a fourteen-year old daughter, Emma, from my prior marriage, whom I adore, even when she does not adore me back. I love to ski, especially in the Grand Tetons. I love Texas and Americana music, especially if it is being played in some historic, hole-in-the-wall dancehall somewhere in the Texas Hill Country.
Fax
(830) 896-0129
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We do not offer any fixed fee services.
Hourly Rates
$200 to $275 per hour, depending on the engagement.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer a free 30 minute consultation, after that, standard rates apply.
Typical Retainer
Retainers vary widely, depending on the case, between $3,500 and $20,000.
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Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
