Today we’d like to introduce you to John Carlson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Austin, Texas and moved to Kerrville when I was 12 years old. After graduating from Tivy High School in 1992, I attended the University of Texas at Austin and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. While I originally planned to become a teacher, I began working at law firm in 1995 and decided to attend law school instead. I took a year off and worked at the law firm while applying to law schools, and I was accepted the University of Texas School of Law in August 1997.
I worked hard and graduated early while also working part time, and I passed the bar in February 2000. My wife and I moved back to Kerrville and I began my law practice with another attorney (see my work story below). We had one daughter later that year, another in 2003, and adopted our son in 2008. My wife and I recently celebrated our 30th anniversary.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. When I first started out as a sole practitioner, it was not voluntary, and I only had five active clients. After the first couple of months, I was wondering if I had made a mistake, but God was faithful and brought me the people and cases I needed to keep me afloat as I was building my practice.
We’ve been impressed with John W. Carlson & Associates, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I began my legal career in April 2000 working for another attorney in Kerrville. For various reasons, I was out on my own after a year with five active clients while working out of my apartment with my wife and two-month-old child. After lots of prayer and discernment, I opened an office in August 2001 with a desk, computer, fax machine, and a file cabinet, using a small loan from an existing client. From there God blessed me with lots of interesting cases, and I worked hard to build my practice and reputation in the community.
In December 2025 I became Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law with the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. I hired my first assistant, and my practice took off. I now have five legal assistants and one administrative assistant, and hundreds of clients. My practice still focuses on estate planning, probate, guardianships, and trusts, but my staff and I also handle a lot of real estate and business work, as well as adoptions (my wife and I adopted our son in 2008).
I have been blessed with an amazing staff, great clients, and a very supportive community (especially after the Kerr County floods when my office had to move temporarily due to damage to our building).
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Charles Granstaff is a San Antonio attorney and has been my mentor for over 24 years. His advice and assistance have been instrumental in my growth as an attorney.
My wife, my children, and my extended family have always been very encouraging, and I definitely couldn’t have done it without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnwcarlsonpc.com
