Yolanda Cortes Mares | Temple Lawyer

When I started practicing law, a much older and experienced lawyer told me not to worry, that all I needed to do was the best I could on my first few cases and then the money would follow because those clients would spread the word to others that would eventually hire me. That's exactly what I did and I continue doing. I give personal attention to all my clients. Sometimes, as a solo practitioner, this means that the cases might take a little longer than bigger law firms, but my clients never speak to an assistant or a paralegal - they speak directly to me. So, by the time we get to Court, I know every personal detail about them. This helps me to be better prepared to present a case or negotiate a settlement and advocate persuasively for my clients.

Someone with experience in the type of case you have that you can trust and get along with, because this is the person who you will need to tell very private and intimate information about you and you will need to trust their legal advice - after all, that's what you're paying for! Don't seek free legal advice because you will get "what you pay for".

It's always a good idea to hire a local lawyer with a good reputation who can navigate using local practices for faster access to the courthouse and justice system.

I don't give free legal advice in a phone consultation. The purpose of an initial phone conversation is for me to gather information about the parties to perform a conflicts check, and to gather enough details that would enable me to decide whether or not I could help that potential client, then to schedule an actual consultation. If it's a divorce, I also explain the difference between a contested divorce and an uncontested divorce so that the client can better understand my fee structure.

Please see above. I normally ask for the names of the parties and children if any, age of the children, County of residence, email address, contact information, and some details about the matter.

I have over 27 years experience as a lawyer, I'm fluent in Spanish (oral and written), I have some abilities in other languages, I have an undergraduate degree from an Ivy League university, and I'm also a licensed architect. In addition, I've traveled all over the world and I'm familiar with cultural differences that can affect a family law case. I have over 5 years experience in the criminal defense of the mentally ill and have an understanding of the overlap that can exist between a family law case, a criminal case, and a variety of mental health issues.

Getting a hug in the courtroom from a satisfied client and knowing that I've helped them.

I race sailboats, and I'm very involved at the local and National level with developing youth sailors.

Yes, I'm currently President if the Bell County Women's Bar Association, past President of the Central Texas Republican Women, and I've been on the Board of two Catholic schools having received an award for Catholic Education. I also received an award twice (in 2006 and in 2016) by the local Bar Association for my work in providing Pro Bono legal assistance to the poor.

• Bell County Women's Bar Association | President | Present
  Bell County Bar Association | Member
  Hispanic Bar Association of Houston | Former President | 1996 - 1997
  Mexican-American Bar Association of Houston | Former Vice President | 1995 - 1995
  State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee | Former Member and Panel Chair, District 4E | 1993 - 1996
  State Bar of Texas Insurance Trust | Former Chairperson and Trustee | 1992 - 1998

• Pro Bono Attorney of the Year | Bell County Bar Association 2006 and 2016

 All times by appointment only

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