Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Advocates in East Texas
Hightower, Franklin & James is a dedicated legal practice serving East Texas communities with a focus on criminal defense, personal injury, employment law, and estate planning. Our team combines decades of courtroom experience with a client-centered approach, ensuring personalized representation for every case. With a legacy of 60 years of collective legal expertise, we bring former prosecutorial insight, in-house investigative resources, and a proven track record of successful verdicts to our clients' defense.We prioritize early intervention in criminal cases to minimize long-term consequences and employ scientific analysis in DWI defense through Sean Hightower's specialized training. Our firm's unique blend of local counsel relationships and partnerships with national law firms allows us to handle complex civil matters across state and federal jurisdictions. We maintain a steadfast commitment to protecting clients' rights while navigating the intricacies of Texas and federal legal systems.
Services
Criminal Defense
Personal Injury
Employment Law
Estate Planning
Local Counsel
Highlights and features
- We offer 60 years of combined legal experience in East Texas courts
- Our team includes former prosecutors and in-house investigators
- We provide personalized attention with no case handoffs to associates
- We maintain a proven track record of successful jury verdicts
- Our scientific approach includes DWI defense with gas chromatograph analysis
Services
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice handles all misdemeanor and felony charges including drug offenses, DWI, sex crimes, and federal prosecutions. We employ scientific analysis and former prosecutorial insight to challenge evidence and minimize consequences. With decades of courtroom experience, we work to keep convictions off records and protect clients' futures through aggressive representation.
Personal Injury
We represent clients injured in car wrecks, truck accidents, and workplace incidents against insurance companies. Our experience includes premises liability, wrongful death, and complex injury claims. We focus on recovering fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through skilled negotiation and litigation when necessary.
Employment Law
Our employment law practice protects workers' rights in discrimination, harassment, and wage violation cases. We handle federal court matters including EEOC claims and whistleblower protections. With former federal clerk experience, we navigate complex employment law issues including FMLA violations and retaliation claims.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans including wills, trusts, and medical directives to ensure asset distribution according to clients' wishes. Our services cover probate proceedings and small estate affidavits. We provide personalized planning to preserve estates and facilitate smooth business succession.
Local Counsel
We serve as local counsel for national law firms in East Texas state and federal courts. Our experience includes handling complex civil matters and maintaining one of the largest jury verdicts in the Lufkin Division. We provide expert guidance on local court procedures and jurisdictional nuances.
People
Sean Hightower
Partner
With decades of criminal defense experience, Sean Hightower brings scientific expertise in DWI cases through gas chromatograph analysis and field sobriety testing certification. His background includes handling complex felony and misdemeanor cases across Texas courts.
Tanner Franklin
Partner
Tanner Franklin specializes in personal injury, employment law, and estate planning. As a former federal law clerk, he brings unique insights to federal court proceedings and has secured significant verdicts in East Texas. He focuses on protecting workers' rights and managing complex litigation.
Tim James
Retired Partner - Of Counsel
Tim James contributes extensive prosecutorial experience from his roles as District Attorney and Texas Attorney General's Office Chief. His insider perspective on criminal cases helps develop effective defense strategies while mentoring the firm's legal team.
Kimberly Boutte
Attorney
Kimberly Boutte provides legal counsel across the firm's practice areas, leveraging her experience in both transactional and litigation matters. She works closely with senior attorneys to deliver comprehensive legal solutions to individual and corporate clients.
Questions
What areas of law does Hightower, Franklin & James specialize in?
We specialize in criminal defense, personal injury, employment law, estate planning, and serve as local counsel for civil matters in East Texas.
How does the firm handle criminal defense cases?
We employ former prosecutorial insight, in-house investigators, and scientific analysis to challenge evidence and minimize long-term consequences of criminal charges.
Can I get help with estate planning if I have a small business?
Yes, we create customized estate plans for small business owners to ensure smooth succession and asset protection while minimizing tax implications.
Do you handle cases outside Nacogdoches County?
We represent clients throughout Deep East Texas and serve as local counsel in state and federal courts across the region.
What makes your personal injury representation different?
Our attorneys combine courtroom experience with scientific analysis to challenge insurance company tactics and maximize compensation for accident victims.
