Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Dao.
Andrew, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Houston, but my family is originally from Vietnam. My father fought for the South Vietnamese army alongside American troops. My mother and my grandmother narrowly escaped Vietnam on a refugee boat, on which many of their friends passed away. My family members were fortunate to even make it out alive.
They eventually came to the United States separately, with nothing, and yet never despaired nor complained. They worked tirelessly and hard to overcome any challenges, in large part because they wanted to ensure that I would have opportunities that they did not. Their sacrifices are primarily the reason I am where I am today. Because of this, I know how important it is to work hard and not waste any opportunities. I will always keep that work ethic that they instilled in me early on.
I was fortunate to receive scholarship funds from the National Merit program and the Houston Endowment. As a National Merit Scholar and Jones Scholar, I attended the University of Texas at Austin, where I obtained a B.A. in Economics. I also worked every summer. Afterwards, I obtained my law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. During law school, I clerked for several firms, the Federal Trade Commission, and Judge Steven Kirkland, who is now one of my mentors. In addition to being Executive Editor of the Houston Business and Tax Law Journal, I was a Research Assistant for Professors Tobi Tabor, Peter Linzer and Adam Gershowitz. I also competed in numerous competitions as a member of the Law Center’s mock trial team, where my coach Jackie Houlette taught me the foundation of many of the skills I use today. I am grateful to everyone who put faith in me or gave me any of their time.
I received an offer from the Buzbee Law Firm, and I have been with the firm since graduating law school. I have worked as a lawyer for almost eight years. I love what I do.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Litigation is constant stress. And when I first started out as a young lawyer, the hours were brutal. But the grind is worth it. When a firm entrusts you with a lot of responsibilities, there obviously is a lot of work entailed, but it also means that you are going to have many chances to excel and prove your worth. You have to also learn to take constructive criticism. No one is above it.
There have been hearings lost along the way or cases that did not turn out exactly as envisioned. There have been some opposing lawyers who have acted unprofessionally. There have been times where an opposing lawyer thinks they can act or talk a certain way because of my age. But I do not let anyone disrespect me or my clients. I think I am being underestimated less and less with each passing year. That being said, while I am firm and aggressive, I also know how important it is to remain someone who always grants professional courtesies and who is trying to practice law the right way. You’re going to get a good, honest fight with me or any of the firm’s lawyers on a case.
As a Senior Attorney at the Buzbee Law Firm – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
The Buzbee Law Firm is a litigation firm helmed by Tony Buzbee. It’s been recognized as one of the National Law Journal’s Top 50 Leading Plaintiffs Firms, and as one of seven “Highly Recommended” firms by Benchmark Litigation. Many of the firm’s cases and results receive statewide and national media attention. Tony’s been on the cover of the New York Times Magazine, and he’s widely regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in the country.
At the firm, I practice civil litigation, which includes business and commercial disputes, personal injury and wrongful death matters, railroad and FELA cases, and Jones Act and maritime cases. I have been on the trial team for many significant verdicts. Four of those verdicts are in the Texas Lawyer’s Verdicts Hall of Fame. My boss has placed a significant amount of trust in me over the years, and that has quickly furthered my development. SuperLawyers named me as a Rising Star—a distinction received by less than 2.5% of the attorneys in Texas—for each of the past three years, and Houstonia Magazine included me on their Top Lawyers list last year. Aside from my involvement with the firm’s trial practice, I have also handled briefing and oral argument for over a dozen appeals.
As a firm, we are known for being smart, hard-working, and aggressive. We care about the individuals, families and businesses that we represent. I am proud to work alongside the lawyers and staff at our firm, who are all talented and bright. The assistants especially are exceptional, and we are lucky to have them.
Outside of the law practice, many at the firm are involved in the community. Tony and Peter Taaffe have served on the Board of Regents for Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Tony is now running for mayor, and has the vision to institute change in the community and improve and maximize this city’s potential. He is sharp and has a no nonsense approach. I think he would be a fantastic choice to lead the city, and hopefully the voters agree in November. Others, including myself, have served or are serving on the board of several nonprofit organizations. Life is not just about what we do at work, but also what we do outside of it.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career was when I briefed, handled oral argument, and obtained a ruling in my clients’ favor at the Supreme Court of Texas. This shaped case law for future cases across the state, as it was an issue of first impression. It was a nice feather in my cap, and to have it at age 31 was surreal.
Pricing:
- The firm’s fee in contingency cases is 40%.
- For hourly cases, Tony Buzbee’s rate is $1,200/hour. My hourly rate is $350-450/hr, depending on the matter.
Contact Info:
- Address: 600 Travis, Suite 7300
Houston, Texas 77002 - Website: www.txattorneys.com
- Phone: 832-641-8484
- Email: adao@txattorneys.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/andrewdao
Image Credit:
Fredis Benitez (Fredis B. Marketer and Photographer) and Vallery Orr (Vallery Photography)
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