James Walter Piper

James Walter Piper

also known as Jim

4.2
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 51 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Austin, TX
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family

508 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 525-525 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 51 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1974

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Walters Gilbreath, PLLC

508 W. 12th Street, Austin, TX, 78701

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James Walter Piper's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (4)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | December 19, 2024 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Horrible lawyer

You can hire Mr.Jim if you want to throw your money to the garbage, and surely, he charges a lot 600/hour. He has temperament issues, he got mad with the judge due to the old age complications and results would not be in your favor end of the day. He has a tendency to file more lawsuits while you ar...e already running a case, for example, you are running divorce, he will ask to file enforcement and you will lose both. He does this so that he can make more money. I have seen his case and hearing many times. He didnt research, came unprepared, changed his positions and wondered around so he couldn't make his point. You can go to judge and tell your case on your own rather than hiring Mr Jim.

Posted by Alanna | November 5, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Lawyer - Established Clarification For The Court

I have been in and out of court with my son's father for the last six years. I had a very unfortunate event with my other infant child (my son's little sister) having a severe chromosomal deficiency which kept her in Texas Children's Hospital in Houston until she passed at 6 months. During that very ...emotionally weak time my son's father saw an opportunity to take me back to court with a fictitious and fabricated evidence. I was served with papers of the hearing at the Roland McDonald House while my daughter was in the hospital and we had the court hearing one month after my sweet daughter passed. I was literally still in shock and standing in court without any representation. Without the ability to present my case I was unable to provide documentation to disprove the father's false accusations. I had been the primary parent all of my son's life and then in that unprepared moment it was changed over to his father. So, one month after I lost my daughter in the hospital, I lost custody of my son in court. This created a huge emotional distress on my son's life as he went from only being in preschool two days a week to losing his sister, changing his primary residence to his father, and being placed in full-time daycare for the first time in his life. I consulted with many lawyers and finally put my complete faith in James "Jake" Gilbreath's Law Firm. He lined up the appropriate experts and reviewed my case that James "Jim" Piper who agreed to serve as co-counsel. These two attorneys worked seamlessly on my case and started preparing litigation to discredit the prior ruling. Jim Piper is straightforward and does not ’babysit’ you. During meetings you have to listen to him carefully and answer his questions precisely. He assists you in all preparation but you have to follow his instruction, be responsible, and most important truthful. As an attorney, he is exceptionally attentive to details and diligent in preparation. He took my case seriously. I have had many experiences where I would have to remind past lawyers of the details with my case. Mr. Piper ALWAYS recalled every detailed event of my case and would advise what appropriate steps would be taken next. If you are looking for a very well-respected experienced attorney, then look no further! Jim Piper is the most intelligent, seasoned attorney you could ask for. He has compassion and fights for justice to be heard. Mr. Piper's office organized all the investigated fictitious discovery documents for a trial with jury. Jim Piper produced solid evidence to the jury and court which left only the RIGHT decision to be made. My son was placed back in my primary care. I've never felt more empowered with the truth and so proud to have lawyers that could change the wrong back to right. I am forever grateful to Mr. Piper.

Posted by Shannon | October 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Compassionate, Knowledgeable and Professional

Jim is an exceptional attorney with his client's upmost interest at heart. From the beginning, through the time he brought my case to closure, Jim displayed such care and attention to detail. He will shephard you through a very difficult and emotional process with nothing but grace, compassion and co...mpetence. His character is remarkable and you will be in excellent hands, even at ease, with Jim by your side. He has great command of the law and how it will apply to your situation plus the ability to be empathetic and firm at the same time. His integrity and trustworthiness will not only make you feel comfortable, but create a true sense of respect for his judgement and expertise. He will explain all your complex legal issues in a clear and concise manner with prompt follow-up and an attention to detail that is unsurpassed. Jim is the type of person you will never forget. I will always be forever grateful for all he has done.

Posted by Catherine | September 23, 2017 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Caring, sharp, and detailed oriented

Jim Piper is an outstanding attorney. He helped with my divorce and subsequent custody arrangements, and was vital during my trial to modify/terminate custody due to my childrens’ father’s recent involvement with drugs. He was quick to reply and calmed my nerves throughout the hearing. He is as sharp... as a tack with an excellent attention to detail. He was quick to point out every discrepancy in the other party’s testimonies, and knew exactly what needed to be done. He had the entire hearing under control and I never once felt uneasy about it. Jim is a fantastic trial lawyer who I would recommend to anyone in a custody battle.

Posted by Deanna | May 5, 2014

An Excellent Firm!!

I am so thankful I had Piper & Turner take my case. Going through a divorce is one of the hardest things anyone can undergo,but having attorneys like Jim and Whitney helped the process by being compassionate to my situation and understanding what I was undergoing. There were also very responsive to m...y communications and available when I needed them. Whitney listened to my requests as the client while making sure that I exercised all rights available to me. Jim, Whitney and Gina were always professional and friendly. They were respectful of my needs and situation. Best of all, I won my case and got more than I ever expected.

See All Client Reviews

James Walter Piper's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Kacy L. Dudley headshot
Kacy Dudley

Family lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Marshall Alan Thompson headshot
Marshall Thompson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim has earned a well-deserved reputation in the legal community as a relentless advocate for his clients. If you need a tough, experienced attorney, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him."

Nikki G. Maples headshot
Nikki Maples

Family lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim is a talented family law litigator. He gives an incredible amount of focus to the facts surrounding the issues in his cases. Jim commands attention and respect in the courtroom and is respected by the judiciary. I endorse this lawyer."

Andrea Beth St Leger headshot
Andrea St Leger

Family lawyer | Oct 11

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jim is a skilled litigator who zealously represents his clients."

Tyler Whitney Pennington headshot
Tyler Pennington

Family lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"James is experienced and knowledgable in the field of family law. He is well known for the top-notch representation he provides. Contact him for excellent representation."

Jamie Matthew Kerr headshot
Jamie Kerr

Family lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jim Piper is a very experienced, highly qualified and hard-working member of our family law community. He tirelessly, passionately, and effectively advocates for his clients - no matter how complicated or difficult their cases may be."

Aaron Michael Culp headshot
Aaron Culp

Child custody lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"When I think of the kind of attorney I aspire to be, I think of Jim. He is a master trial lawyer--smart, aggressive, and cunning. But Jim is also a consummate professional, and it is extremely rare to find someone in this business who embodies all of those qualities at once. Anyone would be extremely fortunate to have Jim working for them and their family."

James A. Vaught headshot
James Vaught

Family lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim Piper is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced family lawyer."

Mstislav Pedro Talavera-Karmanov headshot
Mstislav Talavera-Karmanov

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jim is incredibly knowledgable and respected in the community. He lives up the great reputation he has developed after having practiced for so many years in the area."

Keith D. Maples headshot
Keith Maples

Family lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is one of the great trial lawyers in the State of Texas. He evaluates cases as well as anyone that I have ever worked with and he is also a creative problem solver."

Robert Tsung-Hsien Tsai headshot
Robert Tsai

Family lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kathleen Debra Coble headshot
Kathleen Coble

Divorce and separation lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Jim is an intelligent, experienced attorney. He has outstanding litigation skills."

John Daniel Hennan headshot
John Hennan

Family lawyer | Sep 22

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I recently had the pleasure of working with Mr. Piper, as opposing counsel, in a family law jury trial. Mr. Piper was shrewd, calculated, effective and an obvious master of his craft. It was an honor and a great learning experience to not only observe, but also oppose, a family law attorney of the absolute highest caliber. To have Mr. Piper as your counsel and advocate is to have the utmost assurance and protection that a client can have."

Carlos Guillermo Salinas headshot
Carlos Salinas

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Jim Piper. He holds a great reputation as a tough, effective advocate for his clients. I have seen that firsthand in the cases I have had against him."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | May 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Brian Douglas Walters headshot
Brian Walters

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is the best lawyer I've ever gone against. He is smart, tough and relentless in his advocacy for his clients."

Scott Milner headshot
Scott Milner

Family lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Jami Milner Turner headshot
Jami Turner

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Joe D. Milner headshot
Joe Milner

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Travis L Turner headshot
Travis Turner

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

View All Endorsements
Carlos Guillermo Salinas headshot
Carlos Salinas

Family lawyer

Jeffrey David Miller headshot
Jeffrey Miller

Divorce and separation lawyer

Michael Leonard Ray Burnett headshot
Michael Burnett

Family lawyer

Scott Milner headshot
Scott Milner

Family lawyer

Jami Milner Turner headshot
Jami Turner

Family lawyer

Joe D. Milner headshot
Joe Milner

Family lawyer

Travis L Turner headshot
Travis Turner

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2017

The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward-White, Inc.

2016

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2016

The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward-White, Inc.

2015

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2014

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2013

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2012

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

2011

Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine

N/A

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

N/A

Rating - Excellent, Avvo

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Of Counsel, Walters Gilbreath, PLLC

2015 - Present

Partner, PiperBurnett

2014 - 2015

Partner, Piper Turner Bollier, PLLC

2009 - 2014

Partner, Piper & Turner, PLLC

2005 - 2009

, Law Office of James W. Piper

1984 - 2004

Owner, Piper & Powers

1974 - 1984

Managing Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Central Texas

Associations

State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section

Member

American Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section

Texas Academy of Family Law Specialists

Member

Travis County Family Law Advocates

Member

Texas College of Trial Advocacy

Member

Texas Bar Foundation

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

901 S.W.2d 939

559 S.W.2d 698

See More Legal Cases

Education

1974

The University of Texas in Austin

JD - Juris Doctor

1971

Baylor University

B.B.A.

Speaking Engagements

2017

AustinTAAP - Lunch and Learn

Clinicians Navigating the Court Process

2011

Family Law Summer CLE

Psychological Testing

2009

Family Law Section Summer Seminar

Judges Panel

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution