Overview
Warning — this page is all about me. You don’t have to read the whole page before making your decision to hire a lawyer.
If you’re looking for a friendly and honest law firm, you’ve come to the right place here at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. That’s the most important thing you need to know.
I am no longer a partner at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., but I was a founder of the firm way back in 1979. I am now retired.
I’ve been representing injured, disabled, and elderly people for over 50 years, and it’s what I love to do. The great feeling of making a real difference in people’s lives is what keeps me coming to the office every day. This firm will celebrate its 45th anniversary in October 2024. I worked at another personal injury firm before starting this one.
Our firm represents people who are in unfair fights. Some are car wreck victims fighting big insurance companies. Some are physically or mentally disabled people fighting the massive bureaucracy at the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
I understand and sympathize with working people because I come from a working family myself. My father was a letter carrier for the post office, and my mother was a bank teller. I didn’t have the luxury of being born to wealthy parents, but I think I got the two best parents anyone could ever hope to have.
I’ve been working part-time or full-time since junior high. I started by mowing yards around our neighborhood and had a few other odd jobs as a kid. In high school, I worked two years at Putt-Putt Golf Course in Waco — maybe the best job ever.
At Baylor, I worked part-time in the Texas History Collection, which is a library of valuable old books about Texas. Later, I started working full-time at the Waco Tribune-Herald newspaper, first as a copyboy and then as an engraver. I worked the night shift during the week and worked a double shift on Saturdays. I put myself through Baylor undergraduate school and law school that way (with help from government student loans).
While attending Baylor, I met and married my beautiful wife. In 2024, we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. I was 21 when we got married and only 23 when I graduated from law school and started practicing law in Dallas.
My wife and I have two beautiful daughters, both grown and married, and we have been blessed with a terrific grandson from each daughter and, finally, a granddaughter also!
On October 15, 2002, I was proud to be admitted in person to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. The swearing-in ceremony was performed by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, with the entire Supreme Court in session.
OK, that’s pretty much my entire life story. Thank you to anyone who read the whole thing. I feel a little silly putting all this information here, but I’ve been told that lengthy lawyer bios are “the thing to do” these days.
The main thing to know is that I’m just like you. I understand your situation, and I want to help you. And all the people at this law firm feel the same way I do. Please call us and let us try to solve your legal problems.
Membership & Positions
General:
- Born in Waco, Texas. Married since 1969, two beautiful daughters – one lawyer, one teacher. Two handsome grandsons and one gorgeous granddaughter
Practice:
- Plaintiff Personal Injury and Social Security Disability law in Dallas since 1971.
Memberships:
- North Dallas Bar Association – Former President, current Treasurer and Director
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association – Director Emeritus
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association – Member
- American Association for Justice – Sustaining Member
- Dallas Bar Association – Member
- American Bar Association – Member
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives – Sustaining Member
- Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing and Management Association – Advisory Board Member
- College of the State Bar of Texas – Fellow
- Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism – Member
- Military Law Section of the State Bar of Texas – Member
- United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims – Licensed to practice since 1994
Education
- Undergraduate: Baylor University, B.B.A.
- Law: Baylor University School of Law, J.D. 1971
Presentation & Contributions
Recent Presentations:
- 2020, Addison, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: The Impact of Technology on Lawyer Mental Health - 2019, Addison, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Website Ethics for Lawyers - 2018, Addison, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: The Ethics of Getting Clients and Managing Staff - 2017, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Legal Aspects of Distracted Driving - 2015, Farmers Branch, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Volunteer Opportunities for Texas Lawyers - 2014, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Ethical Issues in Representing Injured or Disabled Clients - 2013, Addison, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Ethical Duty to Use the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program - 2013, Addison, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Legal Hazards of Hiring Household Help - 2012, Kaufman, Texas
Sponsor: Kaufman County Bar Association
Topic: Medicaid Planning and VA Pension Benefits - 2012, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Dallas Bar Association, Media Relations Committee
Topic: Ethical Considerations of Use of Social Media - 2012, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Dallas Bar Association, Senior Lawyers Committee
Topic: Medicaid Planning and VA Pension Benefits - 2012, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Dallas Bar Association, North Dallas Clinic
Topic: Medicaid Planning and VA Pension Benefits - 2011, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Medallion Assisted Living Center
Topic: VA Pension Benefits - 2011, Plano, Texas
Sponsor: LifeCare Hospitals of Plano
Topic: Long Term Care Options - 2011, Irving, Texas
Sponsor: Heritage Senior Center of Irving
Topic: VA Pension Benefits - 2011, Irving, Texas
Sponsor: Heritage Senior Center of Irving
Topic: Medicaid Planning for Long Term Care - 2011, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: Medicaid Planning and VA Pension Benefits - 2009, Cary, North Carolina
Sponsor: Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing and Management Association
Topic: Attracting Clients Through Blogging - 2009, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
Topic: Using Avvo & Twitter to Build Your Law Practice - 2008, Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsor: ATLAS Lawyer Group
Topic: Client Relationship Marketing - 2008, Austin, Texas
Sponsor: State Bar of Texas
Topic: The Ethics of Law Firm Blogs - 2008, Durham, North Carolina
Sponsor: Lawyers Inner Circle
Topic: Internet Social Networking for Lawyers - 2007, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sponsor: Lawyers Inner Circle
Topic: Marketing to Your Client Base - 2006, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
Topic: Preventing Employee Turnover - 2005, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: Carrollton Bar Association
Topic: Ethical Attorney Advertising - 2004, Dallas, Texas
Sponsor: North Dallas Bar Association
Topic: New Rules for Attorney Advertising
Books:
- Seven Fatal Mistakes Texas Accident Victims Make (2nd Edition)
- Nine Fatal Mistakes Social Security Disability Claimants Make (2nd Edition)
American Bar Association Magazine Articles:
- The Client Matters
- Rallying the In-House Team
- Accommodations for Diversity
- A Blueprint for Marketing with Staff
- Hiring, Training, and Retaining Staff
- Social Security Disability: What Every Lawyer Should Know
- Legal Pitfalls When Hiring Domestic Help
American Bar Association Book Chapter Contributions:
Blogs Published:
- P.I.S.S.D. (Personal Injury, Social Security Disability) — About the ways injured and disabled persons are mistreated by governments and insurance companies
- Kraft Elder Law Blog — Providing information about Elder Law, Medicaid Planning for Long Term Care, and Veterans Pension Benefits
