Brady & Hamilton’s greatest asset is its people, and we’d love to help you get to know them. For this attorney spotlight, we caught up with one of the firm’s founding partners, Brent Hamilton.
What do you think is the most challenging thing about practicing law?
Maintaining serenity in an antagonistic profession. The old Serenity Prayer goes like this… God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. There are so many things in this profession that are completely out of my control. Schedules, personalities, legal rulings … and the list goes on and on. I believe that this has led to a loss of civility among those in and associated with our profession. I want to strive to be more civil and encourage all of us to be able to agree to disagree zealously, but with respect and an understanding that we don’t control the outcome.
What led you to practice eminent domain practice?
A portion of our family ranch was condemned by a big powerline company. I had a front-row seat to the complicated and unfair parts of the process and the need for landowners to have an informed and zealous advocate.
Away from work, how do you like to spend your time?
Traveling and cooking with my wife Kelli, fishing, golfing, and time with family doing projects at our family ranch in Matador, Texas.
What’s your favorite local restaurant, and why?
It’s geographical for me. When at the ranch in Matador – it’s Billie Dean’s and their famous onion rings. In Austin – Red Ash Italia. In Wimberley – it’s the restaurant owned by my wife and friends, Creekhouse.
What’s your favorite movie to watch over and over again?
My Cousin Vinny. It has to be the favorite of trial lawyers, and “no self-respecting southerner uses instant grits…”