Vaughn E. James

Vaughn E. James

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 27 years

Probate Lawyer at Lubbock, TX
Practice Areas: Probate, Tax, Elder Law ... +3 more

3311 18th St., Suite 206, Lubbock, TX

About Vaughn

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Probate 25%

Represent clients in probate proceedings, both contested and uncontested. Also do will drafting and other aspects of estate planning.

27 years | 253 cases

25%
Elder Law 20%

Represent elderly clients and their caregivers in matters relating to elder care, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security benefits, disability benefits, dementia-related controversies, disability planning, guardianship proceedings and estate planning.

26 years | 218 cases

20%
Tax 20%

Represent clients before the IRS, Federal district courts and United States Tax Court; Tax preparation; Teach taxation courses at law school; counsel clients on U.S. taxation of international transactions.

28 years | 1,584 cases

20%
Guardianship 15%

Represent clients in guardianship proceedings -- typically where the proposed ward suffers from Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia.

16 years | 11 cases

15%
Constitutional 10%

Represent clients in religious discrimination cases; teach Law & Religion course at law school; Member, Board of Experts, International Religious Liberty Association.

28 years | 79 cases

10%
Estate Planning 10%

Draft estate planning documents and supervise their execution; counsel clients on estate planning matters; teach Trusts and Estates courses at law school.

27 years | 1,222 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Pro bono

30 %


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 20 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 2005

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 27 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1999

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

Texas Tech School Of Law

3311 18th St., Suite 206, Lubbock, TX, 79409-0004

Vaughn E. James, Esq.

PO Box 94614, Lubbock, TX, 79493

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Vaughn E. James's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

2 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (2) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Michelle | December 22, 2019 | Probate

Knowledgeable, Compassionate and Helpful Lawyer

After my father died recently I had no clue what to do. Dad's will appointed me Executor of his estate. Someone told me that my dad's estate needed to be probated. I did not know where to start. I did some research on probate lawyers, then called Professor James. He was so knowledgeable and helpfu...l! We talked for almost an hour as he simplified what I now know is the probate process. He also told me that because my dad's property is in the Virgin Islands and dad had a residence there and died there, then the estate should be probated in the Virgin Islands. But he couldn't represent me. However, he had a shortlist of lawyers in the Virgin Islands that he could recommend to me. Wow! A lawyer turning down a case and recommending another lawyer! I was astonished. And then I asked him how much I owed him for his hour of consultation. He replied, " You do not owe me a brass farthing". Accept my sympathy for your loss, and all the best with the lawyers in the Virgin Islands. What a kind and compassionate man! I would recommend Professor James to anyone. May God bless him mightily.

Vaughn James

Replied last December 22, 2019

Michelle: Thanks for your kind words. I do hope that things work out well with the probate of your dad's estate. It must be difficult for you, I know -- living on the mainland and being the executor of an estate in the Virgin Islands. But do not despair; this, too, shall pass. One last thing: I am not at all special because I referred you to these attorneys in the Virgin Islands. Contrary to what you see on TV, lawyers get along quite well with each other. I'll tell you truly that a lot of my work comes from referrals made by other lawyers. Thanks for everything. My regards to your husband, your children, your widowed mother, and your siblings. I pray for God's blessings upon you all. Vaughn

Posted by Margaret | October 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Attentive Researcher

Attorney James is good at what he does. He is very attentive and easy to talk to. Before going forward with the case he researched and came up with the best possible approach. I was very pleased with the outcome.

Vaughn James

Replied last October 22, 2017

Thank you for your kind words. I was pleased with the outcome also. Thanks for putting your trust and confidence in me. All the best to you, your mother, and your siblings.

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Vaughn E. James's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Vaughn
Isaias Joel Solorzano headshot
Isaias Solorzano

Tax lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kayla Renay Maxey Wimberley headshot
Kayla Maxey Wimberley

Elder law lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Other

"I was privileged to take Mr. James' Elder Law class while in Law School and was blown away by the knowledge, sincerity, and overall genuineness of Mr. James. He has a passion beyond words for what he does and for those that he helps."

View All Endorsements

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Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

2024-2025 Advanced Professor of the Year, Texas Tech University School of Law

2024

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2023

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2022

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2022

2022 Family/Elder Law Trailblazer, The National Law Journal

2021

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2020

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2019

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2018

Member, Pro Bono College, State Bar of Texas

2017

Member, Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar

2016

Member, Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar

2016

Access to Justice Pro Bono Champion, Texas State Bar

2015

Member, Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar

2014

Member, Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar

2013

Member, Pro Bono Colege, Texas State Bar

2013

President's Excellence in Teaching Award, Texas Tech University

2012

Calypso Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Dominica Calypso Music Hall of Fame

2011

Engaged and Integrated Scholar Award, Texas Tech University

2009

President's Academic Achievement Award, Texas Tech University

2009

Extraordinary Minority Lawyer, Texas Lawyer Magazine

2008

Lifetime Achievement Award, FAME Dominica

2008

Member, Pro Bono College, Texas State Bar

2007

Heritage Legend Award, University of the West Indies

2006

Pro Bono Award, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas

2001

Order of the Coif, Order of the Coif

1998

Order of Barristers, Order of Barristers

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director, New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

2001 - Present

Judge Robert H. Bean Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law

2000 - Present

Attorney and Counselor at Law, Vaughn E. James, Esq.

2004 - 2019

Associate Professor of Law, University Of Tennessee College Of Law

2000 - 2001

Visiting Assistant Professor, Syracuse Univsersity College of Law

1998 - 2000

Judicial Clerk, New York State Court of Appeals

1998 - 2001

Religious Liberty Director, New York Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Associations

2006 - Present

Southeastern Association of Law Schools

Member

2006 - Present

International Religious Liberty Association

Member, Board of Experts

2005 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

2001 - Present

Lubbock County Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

American Association of Law Schools

Member

1998 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1998 - Present

New York State Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Matter of Estate of Christophena Colon

Death certificate obtained and estate proceeded to probate in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Estate of Walter Kemp Smith

Proceeds of decedent's estate duly distributed to his three children who survived him.

Estate of Thomas Felton Camp, Deceased

Estate admitted to probate on 10/11/2024; estate assets duly distributed to decedent's beneficiaries.

Estate of Stephen R. Dunham, Deceased

Settlement Agreement entered into.

Estate of Charlcie McAteer Johnson

Estate admitted to probate, inventory approved by court April 3, 2024

Estate of Tomasa Delacruz, Deceased

Estate admitted to probate on 11/20/2022 and assets distributed to will beneficiaries.

Estate of Eva M. Costilla, Deceased, Cause No. 2021-768,013

Estate admitted to probate. MERP claim yet resolved.

Estate of Torrance Crosman Gilmour

Estate entered into probate and Independent Administrator appointed and qualified.

Lubbock Central Appraisal District v. Cole

Controversy settled as tax deferral upon the grounds that the taxpayer is over the age of 65.

In the Guardianship of Dianne Kanga

Temporary Guardianship granted.

Estate of Betty Jo Stewart, Deceased

Estate entered into probate on March 4, 2019.

Estate of Luther Walter Foust, Jr., Deceased

Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims approved and entered of record February 19, 2019.

In the Estate of Charles Morgan Hall, Jr., Deceased, Cause No. 2018-781,783

Order Approving Small Estate Affidavit signed by Lubbock County Court (Head, J.) on 10-26-2018.

In the Estate of Josie Mae Vaughan, Deceased, 2013-859

Affidavit of Confirmation of Estate Proceedings by Fiduciary and Affirmation of Completion of Estate Proceedings by Attorney filed and entered

Estate of Jesus Pauda, Jr., Deceased, No. 2017-780,995

Federal income tax liability settled and estate distributed pursuant to the provisions of the Texas Estates Code. Order Approving Inventory, Appraisement & List of Claims signed and entered May 9, 2018.

Estate of Loy Dean Stanberry

Parmer County Court approved the Small Estate Affidavit filed therein that the distributees could close out the decedent's affairs and distribute his estate.

In the Estate of Olga Silvas Champion

Estate probated, Letters Testamentary issued, and Order entered Approving Inventory, Appraisement, and List of Claims.

In Re: Guardianship of Billy Champion

Petition granted and petitioner brother granted letters of guardianship.

In re Guardianship of Ryan Keith Tonner

Case decided against the petitioner on other grounds.

In the Estate of Frances Irene Perry, Deceased

Estate probated, Independent Executor appointed, and Court issued order approving Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims

Parchment v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue

There was no deficiency in income tax from, nor penalty due from the taxpayer for the tax year in question.

Gregory v. Cott, 331 P. 3d 179 (2014)

Caregiver had assumed the risk inherent in caring for an Alzheimer's patient. Judgment for the patient.

Guardianship of Jori Melissa Vaughan

Petition granted; petitioner uncle granted letters of guardianship.

In the Estate of David Jimenez, Deceased

Estate entered into probate, Independent Administrator appointed and granted Letters of Administration, and Order Approving Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims signed, entered and filed by the Court.

In the Estate of Funa Williams, Deceased

Estate admitted into probate, Independent executor appointed, Letters testamentary granted, and Order Approving Inventory, Appraisement and List of Claims signed, approved and entered of record by the Court.

John LeBlanc v. Alexia LeBlanc

Child custory transferred from Alzheimer's disease-stricken mother to healthy father, and mother granted visitation rights.

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Education

2013

Newburgh Theological Seminary

PhD - Doctorate

1998

Syracuse University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1993

University at Albany -- State University of New York

MBA

1991

Andrews University

Master of Divinity

1986

University of the Virgin Islands

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2025

Factually Speaking Podcast Dementia in Dominica

2022

Dementia and the Law Symposium Estate Planning for Alzheimer's Patients

2019

The Probate Process from Start to Finish (CLE) Managing the Inventory

2019

The Probate Process from Start to Finish (CLE) Administering the Estate Effectively

2019

Estate Administration from Start to Finish (CLE) Handling Tax Issues in Administration of Estates

2017

Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants -- Permian Basin Chapter CPE Expo Planning for Incapacity: Helping Clients Prepare for Future Health Crises

2017

Southeastern Association of Law Schools 2017 Conference The Past and Future Role of Religion in the Development of International Law

2017

2008

Pacific Union Attorneys' Conference

The Intersection of Law and Religion

2008

NARLA Religious Freedom Conference

Law and Religion in a Time of Social and Political Turmoil

2008

Midland Foundation Estate Planning Update, 2008

Alzheimer's Disease: Caring for the Caregivers

2008

Knoxville Estate Planning Council Monthly Meeting

It's Alzheimer's: Time to Plan

2008

International Taxation Seminar

International Taxation in the Caribbean Context

2008

International Religious Liberty Association Annual Meeting, Bucharest, Romania

Hate Speach Versus Religious Freedom: Finding the Balance

2008

Compton, California, Religious Freedom Day

Somebody Should Take a Stand!

2007

World Congress on Religious Freedom, Cape Town, South Africa

From Intolerance to Freedom

2007

Midland Estate Planning Council Monthly Meeting

Estate Planning with an Alzheimer's Orientation

Publications

2019

2017

ALM Media Properties, LLC Texas Elder Law, 2018 Edition

2016

2015

2002

Languages

French

English

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