Growing up, no one expected that one day the person who dropped out of high school in the 10th grade would become a Texas divorce and family law attorney helping clients through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Instead of heading straight to college, I went straight to work—on construction sites, laying carpet, and moving freight in warehouses. Those blue‑collar years shaped how I see people, money, stress, and struggle. Today, they are a big part of why clients feel that I truly understand them, not just their legal problems.
When someone comes to talk about divorce, child custody, or a serious legal dispute, they are usually anxious, overwhelmed, and afraid of the future. I know what it feels like to worry about the next paycheck, to feel like “the system” is built for other people, and to be unsure where to turn. That lived experience keeps me grounded. It reminds me that every case file is a real person who is tired, stressed, and trusting me with something that matters deeply. In a world where many people see lawyers as distant or unrelatable, my nontraditional path allows me to bring empathy, patience, and respect into every client meeting.
In my thirties, I decided that “someday” had gone on long enough. I went back to school, starting from scratch. I earned a B.A. in Political Science, followed by an M.A. in Public Administration, and eventually a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. Going back to college as an adult was not easy. I juggled work, bills, and classes. I studied alongside classmates a decade younger who came from very different backgrounds. That experience forced me to develop discipline, focus, and resilience—skills that now serve my clients in every case I handle.
Because I did not have the luxury of coasting through school, I had to learn how to make complex material understandable. I learned to translate dense legal concepts into plain language for myself, so I could keep up and excel. That same habit now helps my clients. Whether someone is facing a divorce trial, a custody dispute, or estate planning decisions, I break down the law in clear, straightforward terms. Clients regularly tell me that for the first time, they feel like they actually understand what is happening in their case and what their options are.
My education provided me with the formal tools for legal research, writing, and advocacy. But my life before law school gave me something just as important: perspective. Because I have been the person working outside in the heat, the person worried about whether the car will make it another month, I instinctively approach every client with respect. I do not talk down to people or assume they “should have known better.” Instead, I listen carefully, ask questions, and work to understand both the legal problem and the human story behind it. Clients who feel heard are more honest, more open about the facts, and more willing to follow strategic advice—all of which leads to stronger legal outcomes.
That empathy turns into concrete advantages in real cases. In family law, divorce, custody, and probate disputes, success often depends on details that may be painful or embarrassing to share. Clients who trust their lawyer are more likely to share the whole picture up front rather than withhold information that could later damage their case. When clients feel supported rather than judged, they respond to discovery, attend hearings, and stay engaged in the process. That consistency strengthens their position in negotiations and at trial. For a Texas divorce or custody client, having a lawyer who combines strong legal skills with real understanding can make a decisive difference.
My background also helps me communicate effectively with a wide range of people in and around the legal system. I am as comfortable talking with a contractor, warehouse worker, or single parent as I am discussing case law with opposing counsel or appearing before a judge. That ability to “speak both languages” can calm tense situations, open doors to settlement, and make testimony more persuasive. When I prepare a client for court, I do not just recite rules. I explain what to expect in practical, step‑by‑step terms, using real‑world examples drawn from everyday life. Clients walk into hearings more confident and better prepared to tell their story credibly and calmly.
Most importantly, my path taught me that people can change their circumstances with the right help and information. Clients come to me during some of the worst seasons of their lives—facing divorce, financial strain, conflicts over children, or legal disputes that threaten their stability. They are not just looking for a technician who can file forms. They are looking for a guide. My job is to combine rigorous legal work with genuine understanding—to handle the law so they can breathe a little easier. When clients feel both protected and understood, they are more likely to stay with the plan we build together and to come out of the process in a stronger position.
Dropping out of high school, laying carpet, working in warehouses, going back to school in my thirties, and finally walking across the stage at Syracuse Law—all of those chapters shape the way I practice law today in Texas. They remind me of where many of my clients are coming from and why this work matters. I bring that history into every divorce case, custody dispute, and estate planning matter, not as a marketing slogan, but as a daily commitment: to listen first, to explain clearly, to fight hard, and to treat every client with the same dignity and respect I wanted when I was on the other side of the desk.
Steve Buitron