This is my favorite quote about life and I apply it to my work as a lawyer:

Mission Statement of Boates Law:

Confrontation is the best means of finding truth — not collaboration, and not huddling in groups to sway the mob.

The Village produces those mobs. Whether it’s marked by an army of social workers or a gang of vandals, The Village is never a friend to personal choice or justice.

We succeed by questioning dominant narratives and cross examining ‘virtuous’ motives; not by going along to get along, or agreeing to sit down and shut up. Strong people must never remain quiet so that weak people feel comfortable.

My mission is simple: to seek justice for men and protect the bond between fathers and their children.

For decades, the legal system had treated marriage as the gateway to protection, stability, and parental rights. But the modern reality is different. Economic equality has changed the landscape, and the institution of marriage no longer shields men — it places us at disproportionate risk.

What children need is not a marriage contract, but a new definition to ‘family’ — kids need two parents and a system that treats Mom and Dad equally.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe His teachings call us toward justice, compassion, and peace — not the loss of livelihood, dignity, or access to our kids. Nothing in His words suggests that a father should be stripped of wealth, opportunity, or relationship with his kids because a marriage ends. Likewise, the modern notions of husband, wife and marriage are not found in His teachings. We have corrupted those concepts to harm men and children.

I pursue justice by advocating for:

• Equal protection under the law for fathers, including the reproductive rights of men — you can’t make the cake without the batter;

• Equal child custody from the moment the child is born — right out of the birth canal;

• No presumptive child support — let’s weigh the needs and prove the needs, again starting at equality;

• The highest standard of proof for allegations of domestic violence that permanently damage a man’s name, and often leave him homeless and his kids fatherless; and

• Appointed counsel for Dads who cannot afford representation in domestic violence cases — the loss of the right to access children is an unacceptable punishment arising from a low burden of proof, and without protection for counsel

I practice mercy by recognizing the truth most courts avoid: sexual choices and relationship dynamics — not “toxic masculinity” — drive every family-law dispute. Men are not the default cause of conflict. Judges, lawyers, and the therapeutic industry must acknowledge the human realities and the mutual choices — often grounded in our sex drives — that lead families into court. Men are not the problem; confusion, ignorance and gyno-centric biases are the problems.

And I walk humbly by being direct, honest, and grounded: relationships are complicated, people are imperfect, and the stories told in court are rarely simple. My job is not to cast blame — it’s to ask difficult questions and stand with men fighting for their children, their future, and their peace.

These principles guide my work. If you need an advocate who believes in confrontation, fairness, and the sacred bond between father and child, I am here to help.

My credentials are as follows:

• 33 years as a Texas lawyer, having won before the Texas Supreme Court, served as a Judge and helped hundreds of Moms and Dads

• Licensed to Practice Law in Texas since 1992

• Law Degree (J.D.) University of Houston Law Center — 1991

• Bachelors of Sciences in Political Science & Psychology, University of Houston — 1988

• Published in Johnstone v. State of Texas, 22 S.W.3d 408 (Tex. 2000)

• Municipal Court Judge, City of Houston — 2005-2011

• LL.M. Temple University Beasley School of Law — 2024

• 1982 Graduate of Calallen High School, Corpus Christi, Texas; Born in Sinton, Texas in 1963; 1st generation college.

• Girl Dad to Anna, who still lights up my very existence.

As a lawyer, I solve problems in Texas Courts … often, problems not solved by other lawyers.

I’m a family lawyer because I love family law — it’s broad, deep, exciting and often complicated.  It’s high-stakes in a highly personal way.  There’s no wealth to shift from an insurance company to an accident victim, or from a corporation to an injured worker, etc.

It’s about mom, dad, their baby and their tomorrows: their paths, together.

That motivates me because, in my opinion, parent-child relationships entail spiritual lessons for us at the soul level.  We are spirit beings involved in human struggles which shape/instruct our souls.

The most rewarding experiences in my career have come from helping parents to protect their kids.  I’ve been a divorcing Dad with a very young daughter (who is still my heart and soul, 24 years later).  So I sympathize with the Mom or Dad who simply seeks to secure that eternal bond.

My role is to work harder and smarter than any other lawyer on your behalf.  Advocacy is what I prefer. Working for you is what makes me want to come to work every day.

I Solve Problems

I enjoy solving problems because I grow in that process.  There are always mutual lessons for each of us in the journeys we share.   It’s my job to give you good counsel along the way.   As my client, you come to me for a reason, and I treat our relationship with the dignity inherent in the mystery of why we choose certain friends, teachers and counselors.

We find one another for a reason.

I’m nothing special.  But I do love my work, jealous mistress that she is.   I also remember that I come from good stock — we work in my family.  But (if you’re interested) I am the first lawyer, judge and would-be polico in my own family and I’m grateful to have been spoiled with those opportunities.

I want to give back … and help as much as I can.

I love the diversity of my clientele and the lessons you teach me along the way.  If there’s a journey for us to share, then let’s get going.

How I Practice Law

I focus on people. The product we produce is your future, informed by the experience ofpast choices.  I work to deliver the highest quality legal counsel in a professional, approachable and common sense manner.  I like to win and tend to do so.

But I strive to remember that the journey is always about justice, mercy and humility.

You’ll have my personal cell phone number and we’ll talk and text at will.  You’ll find that I return calls, texts and email promptly.  We’ll get to know each other well, which makes direct, honest communication (counsel) more likely.

But I prefer the cases in which a client is somehow ‘stuck‘ or, honestly, has their ‘ass in a crack‘ (so to speak).  Maybe, you’re at your wits end?  I look for real, viable stakes — problems and puzzles.  I want your case to make me think, contemplate and ask lots of questions. 

Your case will keep us both awake at night, anyway.  Let’s make sure that our lost sleep and episodic anxiety are a worthy offering to the Great Mystery which brought us together, and always guides us.

We are not promised tomorrow, and my playing field is shortened with each passing case. So I devote my practice to causes that advance justice, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen families and children. If I’m not the right fit for your case, I’ll help you find someone who is.