In this episode of The Dirty Verdict, host Peter Taaffe sits down with attorney Steeves Hopson, founder of Hopson Injury Attorneys, to talk about his bold move from working at top firms to launching his own law practice. Steeves shares his path from growing up in a family full of lawyers, to prosecuting serious cases in Webb County, to landing multiple impressive verdicts just before and after starting his firm.
They cover the realities of going solo—from financial preparation and building a personal brand, to grassroots marketing, mentorship, and standing out in a crowded personal injury market. Steeves also walks us through three recent trials, including a tough Texas Tort Claims Act case, a bench trial against a shady defendant, and a dog bite trial with pro se opponents—proving that even "impossible" cases can be worth fighting.
This episode is packed with practical advice for young lawyers, candid stories from the courtroom, and insight into what it really takes to make the leap into running your own firm.
Show Notes
- Steeves Hopson's Background – From Laredo roots to a family of lawyers, including his mother's career in big law and his uncle's time as DA in Webb County.
- Early Legal Career – Stint in employment law, shift to the Webb County DA's office, and work in the Special Victims Unit during COVID.
- Transition to Personal Injury – Moves to Houston, working at respected PI firms before deciding to go solo.
- Why Start Your Own Firm? – Independence, entrepreneurial family influence, and the ability to attract clients.
- Practical Advice for Going Solo –
- Save 9–12 months of expenses.
- Have a clear client acquisition plan.
- Define your unique brand and niche.
- Build strong mentorship relationships.
- Lean Startup Approach – Using co-working spaces, low overhead, and free tools like social media to compete with larger firms.
- Grassroots Marketing – Authenticity, LinkedIn networking, community engagement, and becoming the "go-to lawyer" for everyone you meet.
- Case 1: TCA Car Crash Verdict – $265k jury award (capped at $100k), retried after a mistrial due to interpreter issue, strategic use of jury selection themes.
- Case 2: Bench Trial Negligence Case – $625k judgment for a client blinded by unlicensed stem cell treatments; challenges with judgment-proof defendants.
- Case 3: Dog Bite Trial in Austin – $198k verdict against pro se defendants; courtroom theater, controlling narrative, and thematic storytelling ("series of bad choices").
- Why Try Hard Cases – Even with caps or no insurance, cases can have value for the client and the lawyer's reputation.
- Giving Back – Donating a portion of every fee to nonprofit causes as part of the firm's mission.
