We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Guevara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
It was either sink or swim. I figured if my law firm was going to be successful, I literally have to give it more than %1000 concerning, not only my profession as a lawyer, but wearing the multitude of hats in the form of management, marketing, public relations….you name it! Nervousness definitely was apparent but once I was in it, I just focused on the objectives at hand.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Im am the proud owner of a boutique law firm in Houston, Texas (South East Side to be exact), along with my law partner Stephanie Montes. We work cases from A to Z but mainly focus on Personal Injury, Criminal Law, Immigration Law and Civil Litigation in general. Our firm is unique in the sense that we provide many different angles and experience to our clients. For example, Stephanie handled multi million dollar tax cases at her previous firm. As for me, I have argued in multiple trials throughout the country and have real life personable experience with clients with real life issues. All this occurred during my first year in practice as an attorney.The thing about being a lawyer in general is that not one single day is the same LOL. It’s easier waking up each morning not knowing if you are going to change someones life or save their life for that matter.

How did I get to where I am today buisness-wise? I actually didn’t know what an attorney was until I was 17 years old. I grew up in South Texas in a small town called Falfurrias, Texas (Brooks County) with my mother and my grandmother. During this time, Brooks County was in the Top 3 poorest counties in America. I didn’t know it then but everyone around me was financially disadvantage so we were not exposed to professions such as Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers (I used to think a mechanic was an engineer LOL). It wasn’t until I ran into some legal issues when I was 17 that I found out what a lawyer was and what they did. I remember literally sitting in a Holding cell in Nueces County Jail with a $40,000 bond and telling myself that I was going to be a lawyer. Next, I got my act together and moved to Houston to attend the University of Houston. I graduated with my Bachelors degree in Business Finance in December 2014 and then enrolled at TSU’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. I HATED LAW SCHOOL lol. I actually questioned myself if lawyering was for me during my time in law school. But I grinded it out and prepared for the BAR EXAM! Thats one hell of an exam and probably the singular hardest thing that I have ever done in my life & would not wish it on my worst enemy! After passing the bar, I worked for an Immigration law firm for about a year & half. During this time, I was able to soak up soo much game and I was really acclimating myself to being a professional. These people depend on you with your life and the least you owe them is to be a professional and give your best effort. I always remind myself of this fact. None of my client’s had to hire me, they specifically wanted me to be their counsel and thats an honor to me!

I started my law firm in March 2020 and I have learned so much during this time. By no means is this easy cause everybody would owe a business if that was the case. From dealing with Judges to your own personal problems, its gets overwhelming at times but nothing I cant handle! The way I overcome a lot of challenges is that I stay prepared and work hard. This eliminates a good amount of the issues that become apparent when owning a business, especially a law firm for that matter.

The main lesson I have learned is that HARD WORK, WORKS. Chasing a bag will only make you run but if you perfect your craft and hone your skill, the bag will chase you!

What I would want people to know about me is that my work ethic far exceeds my talent but that is something my brand stands for. I nor Steph came into this business with mommy and daddy’s resources. EVERYTHING IS ORGANIC. I know sometimes I come off a sociopathic to others and Steph LOL But Its because I am confident and believe in us going into the future cause I know what we are capable of!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Man O Man! Houston is something special when it comes to entertainment but let me give you a little run down. Friday night me and the boys would be hitting up Bottled Blonde and ending the night with some MAI’s Restaurant! Saturday Brunch we going to La Cuchara for some REAL Mexican food and get ready to hit up Washington and letting the good lord take the wheel. When it comes to Sunday, man, Idk where we going. Sometimes you have to just catch a vibe and roll with it!

The thing that is most interesting about living in Houston is the various cultures in this city. Growing up in South Texas, Mexican culture was loud and evident. Once I moved to Houston I was exposed to various type of cultures including different cultures within the latino community itself such as the Salvadoran, Cuban and Honduran communities to name a few.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and my future lineage!

Website: Sotexaslawyers.com

Instagram: Sotexaslawyers

Facebook: Montes & Guevara Attorneys at Law, PLLC

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