Michael Lai Howard

I grew up in Dallas and have lived in Texas all my life. Most people say they go to law school to "make a difference," but I actually walked the walk. After graduating from SMU Dedman School of Law, I began my career at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas fighting for Dallas's homeless population, standing up against slumlords, and businesses that take advantage of Dallas's most vulnerable citizens. From there I went to the Public Defender's Office where I represented people who couldn't afford an attorney who were facing criminal charges. During my time as an assistant public defender I rose through the ranks and handled all sorts of criminal cases ranging from misdemeanors to the highest level felonies (including capital murder where the state seeks the death penalty). I left the PD's Office when I realized that the staggeringly large caseloads made it so that I didn't have the time to represent people the way I knew they deserved. I left the PD's Office and opened my own law firm so I could represent people my way. Recently, I've added a personal injury practice to my firm. Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. I believe in standing up for people and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the legal system. I focus on my clients as individuals. Taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need is important to me. I know the legal system can be intimidating. Therefore, I explain the process, their legal rights, and their options. Client communication is extremely important to me. My team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages. Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. My history of getting great results for clients is something I’m very proud of. When your lawyer has a reputation as someone willing to fight a case in court, it can make all the difference in the world.