About Attorney
Niles Illich

Why Choose Me

I Learned From The Best

I learned from the best. When I graduated law school, I did not know how to be an effective appellate advocate. But in my first job after law school I clerked for one of the most accomplished appellate judges in Texas. I look back on this like it was appellate “boot camp” and advanced legal writing all combined into one demanding year.  This was not an easy year for me, but I learned more in that year about appellate writing than I did in the prior three years of law school.

Focus

When I worked at the Court I sat in conferences with appellate justices. I listened and sometimes participated in their discussions about the merits of cases. But by listening to these conferences I learned what sorts of arguments persuade appellate justices.

I rarely wear a tie. I spend almost every day in my office working on appellate briefs.  I do not do trial work and I have few other areas of practice.  Because I am in the office so much, I should be readily available to answer questions. More importantly, however, I am focused on doing the absolute best job possible for my clients and that means doing a few things very well.

Superior Team

Finally, I work with a group of superior attorneys who serve as very effective “sounding boards” and who routinely read and critique my arguments. I did not recognize the value of being associated with such extraordinary talent, but my colleagues have made me a better appellate attorney.