Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler - Attorneys at Law

10/12/2026

Waylon Jennings grew up in Littlefield and built his career as one of country music’s original outlaws. Our firm is proud to represent clients, including a few modern day outlaws, across West Texas, Eastern New Mexico, and right here in his hometown of Littlefield, Texas.
From criminal defense to personal injury, probate, real estate, and related matters, Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler is ready to stand with you. If you need legal services in Lamb County or the surrounding region, we are your first call.

10/01/2026

Fifteen years ago, Stephanie Thiel joined us at PPTC, and ever since, she has been the steady center of this place.
She is smart, faithful, kind, patient, organized, and quietly relentless. She is the glue that holds the day together. Clients get helped, files stay in order, calendars stay honest, and the work moves because she keeps everything running. We could not function without her.
For fifteen years she has put up with me, the deadlines, and the ordinary chaos of a busy office (as well as the juggling of her own family), and she has done it with grace.
Thank you, Stephanie, for fifteen years of friendship, loyalty, steadiness, and kindness. We are better because you are here!
Tray

09/27/2026

Proud of our partner Matt Chandler. A Clovis district judge declined the New Mexico Attorney General’s request for a preliminary injunction against Curry County Sheriff Michael Brockett and county officials.
Matt has now stood up to the New Mexico Attorney General more than once and won for our clients.
That is what we do! We fight for the people who trust us with hard cases.
Eastern New Mexico is fortunate to have an attorney of Matt’s skill, experience and tenaciousness in its corner.
We are proud to stand with Sheriff Brockett and with every client who needs someone willing to go to court and do the work.
Read the story:

A Clovis district judge on Sept. 25 declined to issue a preliminary injunction to prevent Curry County officials from acting on an agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Judge Fred Van Soelen wrote that he does not believe an injunction is warranted since Curry County....

09/17/2026

WE ARE GROWING & HIRING:

Full-Time Legal Receptionist with Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler. Location: Lubbock Office -13033 Quaker Avenue.

PPTC is looking to add a full-time legal receptionist to our Lubbock team. This is the front desk of a busy law firm. The person in this seat is the first voice, and first face clients meet. Professional presence, a calm phone manner, and close attention to detail are required.

Pay: $16.00 to $18.00 per hour, based on experience. Full time. Employee Health insurance available. Great hours. Paid time off.

Job duties
• Greet and welcome clients and visitors.
• Answer & screen phone calls, professionally.
• Schedule and confirm appointments.
• Manage conference room availability.
• Learn and handle firm management software.
• Assist with copying, scanning, faxing, and emailing.
• Process client payments.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required skills and experience
• Law office or office experience preferred.
• High school diploma or College credits preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word & Outlook.
• Accurate typing and proofreading.
• Clear written and spoken communication.
• Ability to organize work and multi-task.
• A positive attitude and a willingness to work as part of a team.
• Professional appearance and business attire.

How to apply:
Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Put “PPTC Receptionist” in the subject line. No phone calls please.

For more information about the firm, visit https://tpaynelaw.com/.

09/11/2026

“Are you ready? Okay. Let's roll."—Todd Morgan Beamer, November 24, 1968–September 11, 2001

09/06/2026

Great night in the 806 at the Jones!
PPTC is proud to support our Red Raiders.
Long live the Matador!

09/04/2026

Matt Powell has been representing victims, including Peace Officers, for over 35 years. Thank you, Matt, for being an incredible advocate for so many in Lubbock and across West Texas.

08/21/2026

Several people have been asking about federal criminal trials lately and how the punishment works. Below is a simplified explanation. We hope it helps!

Federal judges use a big chart called the Sentencing Table (See attached). Think of it like a scoreboard for how much prison time the rules suggest.

The left side has numbers from 1 to 43. That is the “how bad was the crime” score. Bigger number means the crime is treated as more serious. In drug and money cases the amount of drugs or the amount of money lost usually makes this number go up.

Across the top are six groups. This is the "how bad is the person" score. Group 1 is for people with almost no criminal history. Group 6 is for people with a lot.

You find the “how bad is the crime” number on the side. Then you find the "how bad is the person" up top. Where those two meet is the suggested prison time in months.

For example:
A “how bad crime” score of 24 and a "bad person" Group 1 lands on 51 to 63 months.

Two big things can change the number:
If the person says “I did it” and takes responsibility, the “how bad” score usually drops by 2 or 3 points. That can make the prison time shorter. If the person helps the government catch other people (i.e.. cooperates), the government can ask the judge to go even lower. That is often the biggest break.
If the person goes to trial (I didn't do it) and loses, they don't get the “I did it” discount. The higher number stays.

The chart is only the starting point. The judge still looks at everything and can go higher or lower if the facts call for it.
Hope that helps.

07/04/2026

Happy Birthday America!

07/01/2026

Let us be your first call!

Payne, Powell, Truitt & Chandler are the first call for all of your legal needs. Our commitment to excellence means putting you first and fearlessly advocating for your future.