20 Under 40: Jim Mueller
Jim Mueller – LEGAL
Age: 37
Company: Verner Brumley Mueller Parker
Education: SMU Dedman School of Law
Faith: Highland Park United Methodist Church
Community Involvement: My family and I live in University Park. My son is Pre-K at St. Michaels and my daughter will be in 1st Grade at University Park Elementary. I work at my office in Highland Park and also own offices in Collin County and Meridian, TX. I volunteer at our children’s schools and help to coach our children’s sports teams. We are also members of Royal Oaks Country Club where we play tennis and my daughter is on the swim team. I enjoy attending and sponsoring neighborhood events. Some of our favorites are the Movie in the Park, 4th of July Parade and the Children’s Fishing Derby at Caruth Park.
Jim Mueller has already earned membership in the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers at an age decades younger than most of his fellows. He was also selected for inclusion in Texas Rising Stars and then for Texas Super Lawyers, both published by Thomson Reuters in Texas Monthly Magazine. The father of two children, two dogs and a hamster named Cutie Tickles, is actively involved with Operation Kindness, the Children’s Advocacy Center, and volunteering at his children’s schools.
Tell us about any nonprofit, volunteering or philanthropic work you are a part of: I am heavily involved with Operation Kindness and help to sponsor the annual Hope Gala and Canines, Cats and Cabaret events.
I have been partnered with Jonathan’s Place for several years where we help to support their annual fundraisers and luncheons. My office helped to host a Christmas party for the children this past year and were fortunate to put smiles on so many kids’ faces.
My family and firm have also helped to support the Akola Project and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County.
What is the best advice you received when beginning your career? My first boss in the legal field, Bill Underwood, once told me: “You may not always be as smart as the next guy, but you can work harder. If you find yourself smarter than the next guy and working harder, that’s a deadly combination.”
What is your business philosophy? I am not actually in the business of promoting divorce. If you find yourself, however, in that unfortunate situation or in a custody matter, I am here to help you through that difficult process.
What inspires you? I am inspired by my family and my clients. I truly want to make my family proud and help my clients get to a point where they are happy, supported, and confident in themselves and their future.
If you could tell 16-year-old you anything, what would you say? Slow down and enjoy the freedom, work will come soon enough. Don’t be so eager to get to the next phase. It’s amazing how quickly time flies and how often we find ourselves appreciating what we had, after the fact.
What is your proudest career accomplishment? I am most proud of being inducted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers at such an early point in my career. Being included among such incredible family law attorneys across the United States is very humbling. The Fellows of AAML have generally been recognized by to be the preeminent family law practitioners in the country.
What did you learn best from your best boss or mentor? I learned that honesty and integrity are everything. Once you compromise that, you have lost it all.
What was your first summer job? Working construction jobs for my Dad.
What do you love about your community? I absolutely love the fact that you can’t walk down the street without running into ten people you know. It truly is a neighborhood where I feel that my family is safe and cared for by more than just my wife and me. Being within walking distance of Snider Plaza is a huge bonus! I also was shocked by how quickly the “play dates” started before the kids were even in elementary school.
Where is the best place for a business power lunch? Al Biernat’s. The food, atmosphere, and service are top notch and never fail to impress.
What is your fondest Park Cities or Preston Hollow memory? I’ll never forget the first time I was able to have both of my kids with me for the annual campout at the elementary school, UP All Night.
Where will we find you enjoying your hard-earned time off? You’ll find me with my kids at their sports events, the ranch in Cranfills Gap or at Royal Oaks enjoying the pool.
What do you want your last meal to be? I would like for my last meal to be sushi…and maybe a heads up that it will be my last!
What is your favorite color? I’m color blind, but I’ve always said hunter green.
What fictional world or place would you like to visit? It would be fun to explore Pandora, the world of Avatar.
If you could be on a reality TV show, which one would you choose and why? Shark Tank, those people are fascinating! I also find the criticism helpful to succeed.
What would your superpower be and why? Who wouldn’t want to be Wolverine?!? Healing powers…enough said.
