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 newest associates, Drew Simmons.
Why did you go to law school?
I was born into a ranching family who occasionally needed lawyers when I was growing up. I rarely understood the concepts if they were laid out to me. I knew we needed a lawyer sometimes, but not exactly what they did for us. As I grew into adulthood, I began to see the utility in having somebody in the family who understood the law as it pertained to our ranches. I was also lucky enough to get to know some lawyers who represented landowners in smalltown Texas, and I found that I liked and respected them very much, and understood more as time went on what a valuable service they provided. After graduating undergraduate at Texas Tech and working various jobs, I decided to pursue the legal profession to establish a lifelong career and gain knowledge that would benefit my family and other families like mine.
What led you to practice eminent domain practice?
My mother’s side of the family resides in Crockett & Sutton County where there are a lot of pipelines. When I went to law school and began to study law, my understanding of the formidable power to take property that has been granted by the state grew. I knew Eminent Domain was an area of law in which I could help keep alive what I consider to be a very hard, risky, and valuable way of making a living, farming, and ranching. Eminent Domain is a convenient intersection of many of my interests – land use, energy, and protecting the state’s property owners.
Away from work, how do you like to spend your time?
I like spending my time outdoors in general. That can include activities, such as hunting, fishing, searching for arrowheads, or playing golf. Time spent in wide-open space is what motivates me, so the activity is not always necessary. I am equally happy sitting on a porch watching the weather, relaxing next to water, cooking good meals, or simply driving around in the countryside.
What’s your favorite local restaurant, and why?
Probably Spanky’s because of the nostalgia. My parents used to take me to Spanky’s when I was a child going to Texas Tech football games. Some of my earliest memories revolve around Spanky’s fried cheese. I’m also a big fan of a relatively new Mexican restaurant called Picoso’s for their great atmosphere, brunch menu, and Birria tacos.
What’s your favorite movie to watch over and over again?
Tin Cup or the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. If I’m watching over and over, I like movies with light-hearted storylines and great soundtracks.