Laura Tamez
Partner and Shareholder, Herrera Law Firm
By Blithe Wiley
Attorney Laura Tamez, a woman of many firsts, grew up in Brownsville and attended Texas A&M with the intention of earning her B.S. in biology and attending medical school. By her senior year, her career goal had changed to becoming an attorney. “My parents were shocked when they learned I wanted to become an attorney, as I would be a first-generation lawyer in my family, but I persevered on that mission,” Tamez said.
She applied and was accepted to St. Mary’s University School of Law and intended to work at MALDEF (the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) in the summer. However, the position was a six-week summer job and Tamez felt she needed to earn more money to help pay for her tuition.
A friend recommended she apply for a position at the Herrera Law Firm, a firm that specializes in personal injury law. She was hired and, upon graduation from law school, joined the firm full time. Twenty-seven years later, as the first Latina, she was elected president of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and served as the presiding officer during the Texas Legislative Session in 2023.
“I began my legal career in medical malpractice, but today I’m more focused on workplace injury and motor vehicle crashes,” she said. “I learned early on in my career that I really wanted to be a litigator. I wanted to be an advocate for victims of injury, whether it’s in a jury trial or at the legislature.”
She has sound advice for anyone faced with a personal injury, be it a motor vehicle wreck or other injury. “First and foremost, seek medical attention right away,” she said. “Sometimes, when sustaining an injury, adrenaline takes over, and you don’t think you need to go to the ER. Yet, it’s so important to seek out medical care right after an injury so that you have a medical professional assess your situation.”
“It’s also very important to write everything down regarding what happened and who you spoke to during the incident and afterward. The most important thing is to document everything.” This includes keeping records of all the dates you sought medical treatment, along with the names of the doctors and healthcare providers who evaluated and/or treated you.
“Evidence is critical if you need to bring a case against another party, and evidence can be lost,” Tamez explained. “It’s so important to seek the advice of a qualified attorney to ensure that crucial evidence in your case isn’t lost. Also, an attorney can prepare you for the questions the insurance company will seek in a statement.”
Tamez noted that women, in particular, very often internalize the mental and emotional trauma they experience in a personal injury situation. “We are conditioned to do this in our daily lives, as we so often have others to care for, and we put our own needs last,” she said.
According to Tamez, the physical and mental injuries resulting from an accident can be profound and even permanent. These include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Physical Impairment
- Physical disfigurement
- Past and future lost wages
- Past and future medical bills
Tamez offers advice to young attorneys who are going into the field of personal injury law. “I tell them to visit their client’s home. See what’s in their living room and what’s on the walls. Immerse yourself in their surroundings to help learn their story. Learn about the little anecdotes of their lives and how they were before the injury or loss of a loved one. The only way we can best tell their story is to actually get to know them as individuals. This is how we provide them with advocacy in the courtroom.”
Tamez advises women who are dealing with a personal injury to also advocate for themselves by speaking up and asking their attorney questions so they can make informed decisions about their case. “Communication with your attorney is so important to your advocacy process.”
Tamez noted that, for many women, choosing a female litigation attorney makes sense. “Women bring passion, preparation, and perspective to the legal process,” she said. “This involves a passion for client advocacy and jury science, a commitment to over-preparation for presenting the client’s case, and the ability to understand and empathize with their client’s situation.”
The Herrera Law Firm
210.978.0235 | herreralaw.com
1800 W. Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
