Donn C. Fullenweider
Divorce Law - Houston, TX

After all these years I certainly have my own approach. For starters, I tell my clients three things. Everything we discuss is private and confidential. Everything. Respect for confidentiality is the basis for trust. Second, I tell my clients that what I provide them is legal advice, not personal advice. That's an important distinction, and not always understood. And finally, all of our time - my time, the client's time with me - must be managed carefully and made as productive as possible. In that respect, I must be in charge of my time. And I don't make promises. I think that is a big mistake, for any lawyer.

Often I must confront the misconceptions of new clients. In fact I have never had a client who didn't have some level of misconception when they came to see me for the first time. Even sophisticated lawyers seeking a divorce come in with some level of misunderstanding. So I make a great effort to give every client a practical knowledge of the law, and where they stand.

I take a unique approach in other ways as well - I have my clients create a list, to prioritize issues, in their marriage and in their lives. What kinds of problems were in the marriage? Even the most personal problems, such as substance abuse. And I will ask every client, what are your priorities going forward? What are your goals? That's a healthy process. After you think those through, the rest of the process is much, much easier.

I have always considered myself a trial lawyer first. And I think that's always given my clients an advantage. Some lawyers were reluctant to go to court. But I've never had that problem.

There is no secret to it. I am always prepared, I have always been quick on my feet, as an orator and as a thinker. To me there's no greater privilege, no better forum, than standing before a knowledgeable judge. Being a persuader, building an argument, that's a marvelous experience.

Nowadays my trial expertise has a way of keeping my clients' matters out of court. My presence has become a deterrent of sorts. I have the authority, too, to help guide a case along, to recommend a course of action.

Most trial lawyers don't much like matrimonial law, because of all the uncontrolled emotion involved. I've never had that problem, either. Helping people at that distressed moment of their lives is what I've done all of my career. I love it as much as when I started, no question about that.

Donn C. Fullenweider
"Everything we discuss is private and confidential. Everything. Respect for confidentiality is the basis for trust. "
Phone: (713) 624-4100
Fax: (713) 624-4141
 
 
Education
University of Houston, B.S., 1957
University of Houston, J.D., 1958
 
2014-04-29 08:31:49