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Willie Stephen Graves
also known as Steve Graves
About Willie
Biography
Graves is a top-tier graduate of the acclaimed (top 21 U.S. News) University of Alabama Law School. He is a decorated Air Force JAG officer, a former judge, a former prosecutor and a veteran trial and appellate lawyer. He is licensed in 11 highest state and federal courts, and has won for his clients in trials and appeals in multiple state courts and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. His practice is national, but he proudly serves primarily San Antonio and South Texas. Within the communities he serves he welcomes military and military-connected clients, having achieved particular success in military medical and hospital malpractice cases under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Litigation
25%
42 years | 700 cases
Personal Injury
25%
42 years | 600 cases
Defective and Dangerous Products
20%
42 years | 12 cases
Wrongful Death
20%
42 years | 12 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-400 per hour
Contingency
33%-45%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 41 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 1984
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2015
Licensed in Alabama for 47 years
State: Alabama
Acquired: 1978
Location
Graves Law Firm
134 East Mistletoe, San Antonio, TX, 78212
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Willie Stephen Graves's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Attorney Chris | October 28, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Great Personal Injury Attorney
Attorney Willie Stephen Graves is an exceptional personal injury lawyer in San Antonio. He’s knowledgeable, approachable, and truly dedicated to helping his clients. His professionalism and compassion are evident in every interaction, and it’s clear he genuinely cares about achieving the best results...
Posted by LM | February 4, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Would not recommend him.
Never finished my case not helpful it's been years and still nothing. The only reason that I went with him is cus my work recommended him to me. Its been years I haven't heard from him and nothing on my case.
Willie Graves
Replied last June 3, 2019I'm now pretty sure I know which case resulted in this review. My firm was hired for a divorce proceeding and foolishly agreed to be paid out of funds collected from the other side. We did get the client her divorce on favorable terms. The client was and is unhappy because the deadbeat ex never paid all he owed, but that means my firm was never paid all we were owed either. Primarily because of our double loss in this case (unpaid fees, bad review), we no longer take divorce cases in hopes of getting our fees paid by the other side.
Posted by Frank | October 4, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Foreclose assists
Thank you Mr. Graves for your support and help. Our conversation were knowledgeable and helpful with making my decision to hiring your services.. Thank you as well for your services in protecting our country.
Posted by l.b. | September 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Top Drawer. Look no further.
I was fortunate enough to be referred to Atty Graves by another top defense attorney in San Antonio. Mr. Graves has been my attorney for the past 12 years and is one of the most intelligent, experienced and honest attorneys anywhere. He truly cares about his clients and works extremely hard to gi...
Posted by Robert | June 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
BEST IN CLASS!
Steve has been my attorney for the last 25 years. He just brought to a satisfactory conclusion a business matter we had been trying to resolve for at least a couple of years. He has always kept me informed, taken my calls, and responded to my texts and emails promptly. He has helped many of my fam...
Willie Stephen Graves's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a wonderful choice."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Graves! He served our country honorably and gives sound advice to his clients."
"I love it when an attorney teaches me something new. Attorney Graves just did that. I am enjoying and benefiting from his learned posts on AVVO. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"The answers of Mr. Graves are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"Mr. Graves served our country with distinction and serves his clients with that same zealousness. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Good answers to tough questions."
"I endorse this lawyer. Based on his answers to those posting questions in this forum, he knows whereof he speaks. He has years of experience, not just as a personal injury attorney but also as a prosecutor and a judge. His experience speaks for itself."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. This is an attorney who takes the time to care about clients and answer questions with patience and knowledge."
"I endorse this attorney, who provides so generously to the AVVO community and gives sound legal advice."
"I endorse my fellow lawyer who has exhibited keen legal knowledge and an excellent grasp of the law as exhibited by the responses on AVVO."
"Mr. Graves was the opposing counsel in a family law case our office handled. Despite having a client that was very difficult to represent, he fought hard for his client, and did so in a professional and ethical way. After the fighting was over, I had developed a great deal of respect for Mr. Graves."
"I endorse this lawyer. What a great service Mr. Graves provides especially to veterans, a most deserving and underserved group."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Heartily endorse Mr. Graves. As the opposing attorney in a highly contested divorce, Mr. Graves was a zealous advocate for his client every step of the way. Mr. Graves is competent, knowledgeable, and fair."
"Mr. Graves has proudly served his country and now does the same as a private attorney assisting persons with serious personal injury. He gives his time freely by answering questions on our AVVO Q&A . If you need a lawyer in San Antonio and South Texas call Willie. I highly endorse Mr. Graves."
James Heiting
Personal injury lawyer
Mark Wolfe
Personal injury lawyer
Alex Presti
Litigation lawyer
Lynn Coleman
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
David Anderson
Personal injury lawyer
Steven Hardin
Family lawyer
Pete Louden
Family lawyer
Ral Obioha
Car accident lawyer
Marion Cain
General practice lawyer
Douglas Martinson
Estate planning lawyer
Brandon Robinson
Business lawyer
Robert Leonard
Family lawyer
Dorothea Laster
Family lawyer
William Light
Personal injury lawyer
Nicholas Petratos
Contracts and agreements lawyer
Michael Doland
Litigation lawyer
Raymond Areshenko
Personal injury lawyer
Michael Burns
Personal injury lawyer
Colleen Dillon
Litigation lawyer
Brian Pascale
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015.
Fully Probated Suspension issued in TX, 2015
updated on 05/03/2016Fully probated suspension means an attorney is technically suspended but may still practice law. The State monitors the lawyer's activities during the suspension to make sure that he or she does not repeat the behavior.
Willie’s comment:
“Car-motorcycle accident case from 2010. EXCELLENT RECOVERY WITH NO LOSS TO THE CLIENTS. Citation resulted from my delegating the job of addressing the client couple's inquiries and requests for documents to a subordinate, resulting in unresponsiveness and delay. The clients will acknowledge that they received an outstanding recovery -- policy limits plus more than $100,000 in paid medical care. I'll gladly explain the matter to anyone who cares to discuss it.”
Honors
2016
A+ Rating, Better Business Bureau
2008
Meritorious Service Medal, USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
2003
Air Force Commendation Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster, USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
1986
Air Force Achievement Medal, USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
1985
Air Force Commendation Medal, USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
1983
Excellence in Writing, USAF Squadron Officer School
1982
Air Force Training Ribbon, USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
1978
Best Paper, AmJur
1978
Top 20% of law class, University of Alabama Law
1975
BS magna cum laude, Troy University
Work Experience
2000 - Present
Lawyer, Graves Law Firm
1990 - 1999
Lawyer/Partner, Graves & Keiler
1987 - 2010
Judge Advocate, USAF Reserve
1982 - 1986
Judge Advocate, USAF
1978 - 1982
Lawyer, Alton & Leavell
Associations
1996 - 1997
Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
Sample of Legal Cases
Hartman v. Gonzalez
Settled for policy limits
Morman v. Popeye's
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Ex Parte Jackson
Affirmed
Watkins v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co.
Reversed and remanded
American Benefit Life Ins. Co. v. McIntyre
Reversed and remanded
Lamb v. The Palms at Waters Edge
Judgment for Plaintiff
Frederick v. Domco Tarkett
Substantial settlement for plaintiff
Betsill v. U.S.
Judgment for Plaintiff
Berlin v. Hyatt Corporation
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff at mediation
Redus v. Redus
Award for client, affirmed
Hubbs v. Yount
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
(Minor child) v. Stop'n'Go Stores
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Rodriguez v. Subaru of America, Inc.
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Huizar v. Humana
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Soto v. Rivera Trucking
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Fuller v. Chrysler
Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
Education
2003
Air University
Air War College Graduate
1982
Air University
Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course Graduate
1978
University of Alabama School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
Troy University (main campus)
BS - Bachelor of Science - Honors
Speaking Engagements
2014
Seminar
Estate Planning
2009
Briefing
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
Publications
2007
The Lackland Talespinner
Is Bankruptcy for You?
1987
Do the Texas Two-Step or Where There's a Will There's a Way
The Lackland Talespinner
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I sue Subway for finding bones in my food!?
26 Jun 2019
Q&A
If a serial killer kills people in three different states, will they be tried in federal court or tried in all three states?
15 Jun 2019
Q&A
Do people have the right to refuse to leave a public area if they simply didn’t do anything wrong?
24 May 2019