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Evan Simpson
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Evan Simpson
Law Office of Evan Simpson
1800 Primrose Dr
Suite 143F
Waco, TX 76706
Phone: (254) 523-4280 | Fax: (866) 492-4417
http://www.hotxlaw.com
Heart of Texas Bankruptcy Lawyer
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to take on consumer bankruptcy cases.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Business Bankruptcy
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
TX, Nov 2007
Bar Number: 24060612
Other Court Admissions
All Texas State Courts and the Federal Courts of the Western District of Texas.
Association Memberships
State Bar of Texas; Waco-McLennan County Bar Association; National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys; National Association of Consumer Advocates; and American Association of Notaries.
Continuing Education
I attend an annual conference of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, as well as continuing legal education seminars presented by local bar associations in Waco, Texas. Thanks to the amount of continuing education that I engage in, by the middle of 2009 I had exceeded Texas Bar requirements for both 2009 and 2010.
Example Cases
The details of bankruptcy cases are public, and could be connected to any details that I put here, so I won't go into those. I do sometimes handle other sorts of cases, though. For example, I recently did some estate planning for a nice elderly woman who lives in Mexia, about 45 minutes away. The fact that I make house calls was very helpful for her, since she was able to plan and sign her will at home and invite her neighbors over to act as witnesses, rather than arranging for several trips into Waco.
Education
Degree:
B.S.
School:
Drexel University
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Year:
1989
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Mathematics
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Baylor University
City:
Waco
State:
TX
Year:
2007
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law Review
Degree:
M.S.
School:
Brown University
City:
Providence
State:
RI
Year:
1992
Focus and Accomplishments:
Mathematics
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Texas
Firm Focus and History
I help people and small businesses who need debt relief, or who are being abused by merchants, creditors, or debt collectors.
I started my solo practice in 2008. At that time, I was focused on indigent criminal defense -- providing legal counsel for people accused of misdemeanor offenses who could not afford to hire a lawyer.
In 2009, I shifted focus to consumer issues, especially bankruptcy.
Previous Employment Summary
For about 14 years, I worked as a computer programmer and system administrator. I created database-driven websites for local businesses, and several programs to manage operations and student assessment for Sylvan Learning Centers and related businesses.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Honestly, I think it's great when people want to learn more about the law. There are many guide books and manuals that can help you gain a basic understanding of areas that interest you. Baylor Law School, here in Waco, offers an annual People's Law School, a one-day free event designed to educate members of the community about their legal rights. But in most areas of the law, and in bankruptcy particularly, it is very dangerous for someone without a legal education to deal with legal issues on their own. I recommend seeing a professionally-trained and licensed attorney before making any critical decisions. The Bankruptcy Code, especially since 2005, contains traps for the unwary that can cause you to lose property, have your case summarily dismissed, or even face criminal charges.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I'm probably going to end up saying this several times: If I am going to be involved in a case at all, I will bring my full legal expertise to bear on the case - not just review documents. If you want to do it yourself out of fear that you can't afford my fees, talk to me first - I'll willing to set up a payment plan or try to work out a reduced fee. That said, I am happy to review documents you've prepared yourself, but only as a source of information for a case that I am to file on your behalf.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Again, if I am going to be involved in a case at all, I will bring my full legal expertise to bear on the case - not just 'coach' you. If you want to do it yourself out of fear that you can't afford my fees, talk to me first - I'll willing to set up a payment plan or try to work out a reduced fee.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
There are no other lawyers in my family, so I didn't even think about becoming a lawyer when I was young. I love problem solving, puzzles, and precise communication. This doesn't make me a big hit at parties, but it did make me a very successful computer programmer. Then I started following the progress of a big lawsuit that could have affected the part of the computer industry that I worked in. Reading the legal filings in that case gave me a taste of what lawyers actually do. For the first time I realized that I could use my skills to really help people. So I talked it over with my family, and in 2005, I went back to school to become a lawyer. Working as a bankruptcy lawyer has proven to me that this was the right choice; I am able to make a huge positive difference in my clients' lives.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Working as a computer programmer made me a better lawyer. Does that seem odd? It shouldn't: both jobs involve many of the same skills. Whether I'm designing software and writing code to make a computer system solve business management problems, or designing a litigation strategy and writing petitions and motions to make the legal system solve financial problems, I have to communicate effectively with my clients, to find out their goals, the issues standing between them and their goals, and all of the important details that I need to help them overcome those issues; write very precise documents that follow technical rules, yet are able to be easily understood by other people; and figure out how to use the capabilities of an intricate system to solve my clients' problems.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose bankruptcy when I discovered what a wonderful tool it is for solving the kinds of crisis that can otherwise crush the life out of a family. When the economy went sour in 2008, close relatives of mine were desperately trying to keep two small businesses alive. As is often the case, these businesses were labors of love, and my relatives got deeply into debt trying to save them. Finally, they turned to a local bankruptcy attorney for help. At the same time, they wanted me involved - after all, I was the lawyer in the family. I ended up working closely with their attorney, and the more I learned, the more attracted I became to the field of bankruptcy law. In fact, I realized, my style of law practice is a fine fit for bankruptcy, since it allows me to help clients who desperately need it, but who can scarcely afford to take time off to visit a traditional law office.
What do you like best about your career?
The thing that I like the most about my work is that I can help just about anyone who comes to me. When I meet with a client for the first time, they almost always express a huge sense of relief at the end of the meeting, whether they choose to file or not - just from knowing that there is a solution available.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, so all of my clients deal directly with me. I have no paralegals, secretaries, or associate attorneys. Call my office, and you'll be talking to me, not an assistant.
What are your strengths and style?
I'm an information-age lawyer, not a traditional law firm - my office is wherever you need it to be, including your home or local coffee shop. If I thought that a big desk, a waiting room full of leather furniture, and a file room with cabinets full of paper would help me better serve my clients, then I would have those things, but I do not.
Personal Interests:
As I said before, I love problem solving and puzzles, so I play a lot of games. In fact, I run a free online word game inspired by Boggle, called WordSplay. I read a lot of fiction, at least a novel per week, and also non-fiction about consciousness and how the human mind works. Once a week I go to Hemingway's for poetry night, which I sometimes host, always perform in, and highly recommend if you like poetry and live near Waco.
Fax
(866) 492-4417
Office Hours
By appointment only, seven days a week, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I have standard fixed prices to file a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy case. I also offer an interest-free payment plan, and may adjust my standard fee based on the difficulty of a case or on ability to pay. In other cases I will quote a fee based on the specific details of the situation.
Hourly Rates
$150 to $200.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a free initial consultation lasting about one hour.
Typical Retainer
My typical retainer is $200.
Nolo's Licensing Check
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.
