Margaret R. Halberd
Founding Partner
Civil litigation, family law
Bar: Texas · Federal District Courts · Fifth Circuit
“A well-prepared brief is the most persuasive argument you can make.”
TRIAL ATTORNEYS · SINCE 1998
Counsel that shows up,
prepared.
Thorough preparation, specific strategy, and honest counsel — from first consultation through resolution.
Bar-admitted since 1998
500+ cases handled
Super Lawyers rated
Free consultation
About the firm
A firm that reads the file
before the call.
Halberd Law Group was founded in 1998 on a specific standard: every client receives the same level of preparation regardless of the size of their matter. That standard has not changed. We are a general-practice firm built for individuals, families, and businesses who need counsel that is thorough, specific, and honest about what is actually achievable.
26+
Years practicing
500+
Matters handled
3
Attorneys
6
Practice areas
Margaret R. Halberd
Founding Partner
Practice areas
What we handle
Civil Litigation
Disputed contracts, business torts, property damage, and complex multi-party cases tried through resolution.
Family Law
Divorce, custody, asset division, and protective orders handled with precision and discretion.
Business + Corporate Counsel
Entity formation, commercial contracts, partnership disputes, and M&A for growing businesses.
Estate Planning + Probate
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate administration — structured to protect your family.
Personal Injury
Motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and serious injuries pursued on contingency.
Criminal Defense
State and federal criminal defense — from first appearance through trial and appeal.
How we work
From first call to resolution
01
Free consultation
We review the facts of your matter, assess the legal issues, and give you an honest picture of your options — at no cost.
02
Case assessment + strategy
We analyze evidence, identify the strongest theory, and map a specific strategy before recommending a path forward.
03
Engagement + plan
Once retained, we establish your fee arrangement, timeline expectations, and communication cadence in writing.
04
Representation through resolution
We handle every step — negotiation, motion practice, trial — updating you at every material development.
The attorneys
Three attorneys. One standard.
James T. Okafor
Partner
Business + estate
Bar: Texas · New York · Federal District Courts
“Every transaction has a hidden assumption. My job is to find it before it becomes a dispute.”
Priya M. Vance
Senior Associate
Personal injury + criminal defense
Bar: Texas · Federal District Courts
“I read every piece of discovery before I make a single call. That's not extra — that's minimum.”
Case results
Selected outcomes
Trial verdict
$2.4M jury verdict
Premises liability matter
Criminal defense
Acquittal
DWI matter — contested breathalyzer
Family law
$850K settlement
Divorce + custody negotiation
Criminal defense
Dismissal
Federal white-collar matter, motion phase
Business law
Permanent injunction
Trade secret matter
Civil litigation
Six-figure recovery
Construction defect matter
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique and depends on its specific facts, applicable law, and the evidence available. Attorney advertising.
Client feedback
From the people we represented
“She prepared my deposition like she was the one being deposed. Every document, every exhibit, every question the opposing side might ask — she had already walked me through it. That kind of preparation shows.”
“I had interviewed four attorneys before Margaret. She was the only one who actually reviewed my documents before our consultation. She told me things my ex's attorney hadn't told him yet. That's who you want.”
“Priya read the entire police report, the lab documentation, and the dashcam footage before our second meeting. She found a calibration issue in the breath test record that I never would have known to look for. Acquittal.”
Common questions
What clients ask most
We review the facts of your matter, identify the legal issues at stake, and give you an honest assessment of your options and the realistic range of outcomes. The consultation is confidential. No relationship is formed and no fees are owed unless we agree to represent you.
Fee structure depends on the matter type. Civil litigation and criminal defense are typically billed hourly. Personal injury cases are handled on contingency — no fee unless we recover. Estate planning and business formation work is usually flat-fee. We discuss fees in plain terms at the first meeting.
Yes. Attorney-client privilege attaches from the beginning of a consultation, even if you do not retain us. We do not share client information with third parties without your informed consent, subject only to narrow exceptions required by law.
Before we agree to represent you, we run a conflict check against our existing and former clients. If a conflict exists that cannot be waived, we will tell you clearly and refer you to counsel who can help. We do not take representations where our obligations would be divided.
It depends on the type of matter and whether it is contested. Simple estate plans and entity formations typically complete in two to four weeks. Family law and civil litigation matters range from a few months (uncontested) to two or three years (complex trial). We give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you current as it evolves.
We set expectations at the start of the engagement. For active litigation, you will hear from us whenever there is a development, a deadline approaching, or a decision that requires your input. We do not leave clients uninformed for extended periods. You will always know where your matter stands.
Yes. The attorneys at Halberd Law Group are admitted in Texas state courts statewide and in the Federal District Courts. We handle matters throughout Central Texas and appear in federal court as needed. For matters outside our geographic reach, we maintain referral relationships with qualified counsel.
Have a matter to discuss?
Consultations are free and confidential. No obligation. We will give you a direct assessment of your situation.