01/12/2026
THINGS CHANGE
Life is a funny thing. It wanders around and leads you down paths to places you never realized you were headed. This isn't to say you have no control over your life or what happens to you, you most certainly do, but not nearly to the extent you believe. Time marches on, whether you are paying close attention or not.
My father left me four gems of wisdom (among hundreds) which have served me well over my life: 1) "Life is 10% what you make it, and 90% how you take it", 2) "Your success in life is almost exclusively tied to how well you handle "Plan B", 3) "Want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans" and, 4) "The harder you work, the luckier you get". I will add a fifth that I acquired from a fortune cookie over 30 years ago that is still taped to top edge of my office desk lap drawer that says: "Know the right moment". All of these have at one time or another, acted as crucial guideposts in my life's journey.
I first decided I wanted to be an attorney as a Senior in High School when my government teacher, Mr. Connelly, told me I had 'the mind of a lawyer' and encouraged me to follow that path! Until then, I hadn't given it much thought, (I thought I wanted to be a dentist) even though my brother was already a successful attorney.
From that spark, I challenged myself to become an attorney. I first focused on getting into college and then making the kind of grades needed to have a chance at admission to law school. Although I worked my way through college, even owning several small businesses to support my quest, I always focused on the grades and the goal. After 5-1/2 years of undergraduate college, and 3 years of law school at Texas Tech, I made it, and embarked upon a life journey that has been as surprising as it has been rewarding.
I would love to say my career came about because I willed it into existence or because I was such a phenomenally brilliant attorney (maybe). The truth is much more mundane. My success, for what it is, is a culmination of doing the hard work, relentlessly following the code I set for myself, adapting to and overcoming the situations that arose in my life, my practice and the everchanging needs of my clients, and last but not least...LUCK!. Luck is important. (see No.4)
Some of my biggest cases came from chance meetings or serendipitous encounters that had little to do with the firm. People I encountered in social or organizational settings sometimes had catastrophic events in their lives, and I was honored to be called upon to help them. Actually, the bulk of my business over the years was 'word of mouth' or referrals from previous clients and their families. I did very little advertising, but handled 1000's of cases, a fact I am very proud of.
I have been truly lucky to have had a successful 40-year career as a litigation attorney, nearly all of that time heading my own firm. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with amazing staff and of course, some the best clients an attorney could be privileged to represent. (often multiple generations). Helping injured Texans has been the highlight of my professional career. To do something that I've loved as long as I've done it -- 'lucky' is an understatement.
However, I also own a calendar, and despite my "mental age" hovering in the 40's, intellectually I know that I'm in a fight with father time...and he is undefeated.
My ultimate 'luck' in life has been my wife, family and friends. I have been blessed beyond measure to have the most wonderful wife, two great sons, two awesome grandkids as well as many friends, some I have known for decades if not our entire lives. My wife has patiently waited and endured all the frantic afterhours phone calls, long week nights and weekends full of prepping for trial hoping someday we'd finally get some time for us. Now is that time.
LAW PRACTICE 2.0--- I have spent the last year or so limiting my practice to cases that fit into our 'exit strategy'. As of Jan.15, 2026, we will no longer be taking any new cases, and we are currently working on closing out the existing ones. Some of the cases where we would normally file suit ourselves are being referred out to a small group of excellent and well-respected litigation firms. Hopefully, by the end of January 2026, there will be no active cases in our offices.
So, what's next?
SMS MEDIATION SERVICES--- Although I intend to take a small hiatus, I have begun the certification process to become a mediator in the PI field. That business will be known as Shackelford Mediation Services (SMS). I am hoping to have that up and running by late Spring 2026. In my years of active litigation practice, I became a fervent proponent of mediation as a way to streamline the process, unburden the Courts' dockets, and provide a mechanism where the parties can have active and meaningful input into the ultimate outcome of their own cases. I feel strongly that my trial experience and exposure to the intricacies of small, as well as large, multi-million-dollar cases, can be beneficial to help others resolve their disputes in a way that best serves the needs of all parties. The gunslinger becomes the peacemaker. Exciting to say the least.
A new path. A new future. The right moment.
I want to thank you all for your support over the years, because this journey was not taken alone. There is not a single person who has ever touched this firm that did not make it better. To staff, clients, marketers, doctors, facilities, past and present, and to all the folks in any capacity that helped us grow or cheered us on...THANK YOU!!!! It has been an amazing ride!
