Valerie Farwell

My single mother raised me with a determined spirit and always discussed “when” I would go to college, not “if”. She taught me that being a woman did not have to limit my aspirations. During my senior year of high school, as a member of a class mock trial team, my team of all male counterparts ignored most of my suggestions, resulting in us losing our case. However, they did let me give an off-the-cuff closing argument, on which my classmates and teacher heaped numerous compliments. After this experience, fueled by my frustration and an unwavering belief in my capabilities, I made a life-altering decision—to not only attend college but to also embark on a legal career and make my voice heard as a female attorney.

After completing law school at the University of Houston Law Center, I began my legal career as a defense lawyer. However, I soon discovered that representing insurance companies and big corporations conflicted with my basic ideals about the practice of law. I realized that my efforts were often focused on shielding these entities from accountability when they were clearly responsible for hurting someone.

My next job at Legal Aid of Central Texas in Belton was diametrically opposed from my previous position. I worked hard every day to secure safety and justice for victims of domestic violence. However, the stress from this job proved too much, as I could not leave these very emotional cases at the office. At this point in my legal career, I got married and moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Still determined to shift my focus toward serving the interests of the injured and vulnerable, I transitioned to becoming a plaintiff’s lawyer at a premier national asbestos litigation firm. With unwavering determination and empathy for my clients, I learned how to fight relentlessly to secure justice for those harmed by exposures to dangerous products and toxic substances.

While I had to make one short detour from plaintiff’s work back to defense work when we moved again, that deviation confirmed for me that my skills were best used advocating for people, not big business. I now clearly understood the devastating impact that negligence and corporate wrongdoing could have on people’s lives. Drawing on my knowledge of the law and my genuine concern for others, I have dedicated almost the last 20 years to championing justice for these injured victims, seeking compensation for their pain, suffering, and losses.

I am excited to bring my skills and passion to Hendler Flores Law. Their purpose-driven practice model aligns directly with my ideals of justice centered around the client’s needs. Holding powerful corporations responsible for their actions in an effort to make the world a better place lies at the heart of what I and all the lawyers and staff at Hendler Flores Law aspire to every day.