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Willie Stephen Graves

Personal injury Attorney at San Antonio, TX

4.5   8 reviews

also known as Steve Graves

  • State Years
    Texas - TX 39 years
    Alabama - AL 45 years
  • Licensed for 39 years
    State TX
    Acquired 1984
    Status
    Eligible to Practice in Texas Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2015
  • Licensed for 45 years
    State AL
    Acquired 1978
    Status
    Inactive

About Willie

Learn Willie’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Litigation
    25%

    40 years, 700 cases

  2. Personal injury
    25%

    40 years, 600 cases

  3. Defective and dangerous products
    20%

    40 years, 12 cases

  4. Wrongful death
    20%

    40 years, 12 cases

  5. Bankruptcy and debt
    10%

    40 years, 100 cases

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.

Photos and videos

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Contact Willie

Similar lawyers nearby

Graves Law Firm
134 East Mistletoe
San Antonio, TX, 78212

Reviews

4.5 / 5.0
  8 customer reviews
5 Star
 
88%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
13%
Posted by Frank | October 4, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 give them the very best defense possible. He is hard working, professional, caring & friendly. In my case that meant a complete dismissal of charges for my son who was charged with alleged theft. The second case was the release of my 18- year old grandson who was being held in jail at the US border by border checkpoint /immigration officials. Mr Graves went down the same day I called him and came back with my grandson the same day. The third case was obtaining a good financial support for another grandson. The fourth was doing something the Attorney General had not been able to do - locate my grand daughter's deadbeat father, and obtain support through the Court. Mr. Graves had two other previous cases he handled successfully and in my grandson's favor which I cannot recall at the moment . How do you put a price on all that? Mr. Graves is not just a top- drawer attorney and a man of integrity, but also a great friend. Hopefully, I won't get into anymore situations where I would need a lawyer for myself or my family members but if I did, I would hire him in a heartbeat. Thank You Steve Graves!
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Posted by Robert | June 20, 2017
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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 family members with personal issues, business issues, and the times when you just need to talk to an atty. I strongly recommend him to YOU.
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Posted by Randall | March 22, 2013
Excellent and principled lawyer
Mr Graves is a very principled lawer with a good heart. He cares! He was willing to spend the time to represent me in the best way possible. In my case, he spent the time to review and UNDERSTAND the points of both sides and defended me in a way that led me to complete trust in him. I highly recomend using him.
Posted by anonymous | August 18, 2011
Absolutely the best lawyer ever!
Mr. Graves is a wonderful lawyer and compassionate person! He was able to get a much needed temporary geographical resctriction lift on very short notice. Everything went so smoothly and so quickly it's phenomenal! He's very understanding, kind and patient. He always keeps you up to date throughout the entire process and explains everything thoroughly. He is truly a blessing!
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Posted by anonymous | May 12, 2011
Best Lawyer I ever had
My husband died in an auto accident in the state of Texas where he was temporary living, This accident resulted in legal issues invovling no Will, properties that were not in my name,paternity lawsuit that was proven false, and wrongful death lawsuite. Mr Graves did only handled the legal matters which we won,but his compassion and understanding helped me through a difficult and emotional period in my life.
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Posted by Erick | May 5, 2011
My personal pitbull....
Top notch attorney...knowledgeable, loyal, trustworthy, highly competent gentleman. Goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable and confident in his abilities. Explains and interprets the entire legal process to enable you to grasp all the intricacies of your particular case, and answers any and all questions in a prompt manner. Mr. Graves was always available and courteous, always willing to take time out of his busy schedule to calm any fears we had. I proudly consider him a part of our family.
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Posted by LM | February 4, 2019
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired 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.
Response from Willie Graves June 3, 2019
I'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.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
  • Hourly Rates $ 300-400 per hour
  • Contingency 33%-45%
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 7.4 (Very Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015.

Fully Probated Suspension issued in TX, 2015
updated on 05/03/2016

Fully 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.”

Work Experience

  • Lawyer
  • Graves Law Firm
  • 2000 - Present
  • Lawyer/Partner
  • Graves & Keiler
  • 1990 - 1999
  • Judge Advocate
  • USAF Reserve
  • 1987 - 2010
  • Judge Advocate
  • USAF
  • 1982 - 1986
  • Lawyer
  • Alton & Leavell
  • 1978 - 1982
View all work experience

Education

  • Air University
  • Air War College Graduate
  • 2003
  • Air University
  • Judge Advocate Staff Officer Course Graduate
  • 1982
  • University of Alabama School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1978
  • Troy University (main campus)
  • BS - Bachelor of Science - Honors
  • 1975
View all education

Legal Cases

  • Hartman v. Gonzalez
  • Settled for policy limits
  • Morman v. Popeye's
  • Substantial settlement for Plaintiff
  • Ex Parte Jackson
  • Affirmed
View all legal cases

Associations

  • Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
  • 1996 - 1997

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish

Honors and Awards

  • A+ Rating
  • Better Business Bureau
  • 2016
  • Meritorious Service Medal
  • USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • 2008
  • Air Force Commendation Medal - First Oak Leaf Cluster
  • USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • 2003
  • Air Force Achievement Medal
  • USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • 1986
  • Air Force Commendation Medal
  • USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • 1985
  • Excellence in Writing
  • USAF Squadron Officer School
  • 1983
  • Air Force Training Ribbon
  • USAF Judge Advocate General's Corps
  • 1982
  • Best Paper
  • AmJur
  • 1978
  • Top 20% of law class
  • University of Alabama Law
  • 1978
  • BS magna cum laude
  • Troy University
  • 1975
View all awards

Publications

  • The Lackland Talespinner
  • Is Bankruptcy for You?
  • 2007
  • Do the Texas Two-Step or Where There's a Will There's a Way
  • The Lackland Talespinner
  • 1987

Speaking Engagements

  • Seminar
  • Estate Planning
  • 2014
  • Briefing
  • Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
  • 2009

Attorney endorsements

Received (39)
Given (222)
Endorse Willie
Asylum Attorney | Jun 29
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a wonderful choice."
Litigation Attorney | Apr 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Unknown Attorney | Nov 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Attorney Graves! He served our country honorably and gives sound advice to his clients."
Litigation Attorney | Nov 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"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."
Personal injury Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Oct 25
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Oct 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"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."
Personal injury Attorney | Oct 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Graves served our country with distinction and serves his clients with that same zealousness. I endorse this lawyer."
Litigation Attorney | Oct 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Sep 10
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. Good answers to tough questions."
Personal injury Attorney | Jul 09
Relationship: Other
"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."
Personal injury Attorney | Jul 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. This is an attorney who takes the time to care about clients and answer questions with patience and knowledge."
Unknown Attorney | Mar 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this attorney, who provides so generously to the AVVO community and gives sound legal advice."
Bankruptcy and debt Attorney | Feb 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"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."
Family Attorney | Jul 25
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"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."
Unknown Attorney | Jun 10
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. What a great service Mr. Graves provides especially to veterans, a most deserving and underserved group."
Litigation Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"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."
Personal injury Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"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."
View more endorsements
Personal injury
Personal injury
Litigation
Bankruptcy and debt
Personal injury
Car accident
General practice
Estate planning
Personal injury
Contracts and agreements
Personal injury
Personal injury
Personal injury
San Antonio Personal injury Lawyer Willie Stephen Graves
Willie Stephen Graves
Personal injury Attorney
San Antonio, TX
Licensed for 45 years
Free Consultation
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015. See details