Attorney Profile

The dedicated Tyler, Texas lawyers at Brown, Bauman & Smith strive to create an atmosphere that is more Mayberry RFD than LA Law.  Sure, you get experienced estate planning, elder law, and business law attorneys.  But—like an old-time, small-town law firm—we treat you more like family than a client.

To learn about our compassionate, experienced lawyers, review their bios:

For dedicated business formation, estate planning, and elder law attorneys, contact Brown, Bauman & Smith.

Thomas “Tom” Jeffery Brown, Partner

Email: tomb@brownbaumansmith.com
Phone: 903-597-6333

Seasoned East Texas Estate Planning and Business Transaction Attorney Practicing for 30 years

Tom Brown, born in Fort Scott, Kansas, is a graduate of South Texas College of Law. He attended Texas Christian University and received his B.A. from the University of Missouri. He is licensed to practice in Texas, is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court, the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and in all Texas state courts. Mr. Brown focuses his practice on estate and wealth planning asset preservation and business planning through various planning techniques, business, corporate, and probate matters. He is also a certified mediator.

Practice areas

• Estate and Family Multi-Generational Wealth Business Planning
• Trusts
• Business Transactional Law
• Probate
• Mediation
• Real estate

Credentials

• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Bar Foundation Fellow
• Certified Mediator
• College of the State Bar of Texas (past board member)
• Smith County Bar Foundation Fellow
• Smith County Bar Association (past board member and treasurer)
• East Texas Estate Planning Council (past board member)
• Smith County Young Lawyers Bar Association (past president)
• American Bar Association (past member)

Noteworthy accomplishments and community involvement

• East Texas Communities Foundation (board member)
• Marvin United Methodist Church (past president of the Administrative Board, president of the Board of Trustees, and Sunday School teacher)
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters (past president)
• Tejas Missions (board member)
• Bethesda Foundation (past president)
• Tyler Rotary (past president)
• Rockin C Ranch (founding board member)

Mr. Brown and his wife, Julie Love Brown, have three children—Reagan, Katie, and Adam—and two grandchildren, Will and Ellie.

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H.C. "Chuck" Bauman, III, Partner

Email: chuckb@brownbaumansmith.com
Phone: 903-597-6333

The first Certified Elder Law Attorney in East Texas

Chuck Bauman received his Juris Doctor from Baylor University in 1992.  He focuses his practice on estate and asset preservation planning for clients through the use of trusts, wills, partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, tax planning and other planning techniques.

Mr. Bauman is a CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney) by the National Elder Law Foundation, as recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He was the first lawyer in East Texas to receive this designation.

Practice areas

• Business successions
• End-of-life planning with personalized advance directives:
  • Directives to physicians
  • Living wills
  • Medical powers of attorney
• Estate administration and planning
• Estate planning for parents of children with special needs
• Guardianships
• Long-term care costs
• Nursing home rights
• Preserving assets from the threats of estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes
• Probate
• Trusts

Credentials

Mr. Bauman is admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, and in all Texas state courts.  He is a member of these legal organizations:

• State Bar of Texas
• Smith County Bar Association
• East Texas Estate Planning Council (former board member)
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (past president of Texas chapter, NAELA).

Noteworthy accomplishments and community involvement

• Past president of Smith County Young Lawyers
• Recognized expert in planning for families of children with disabilities and other special needs
• Assistant District Attorney, Smith County, Texas, 1993 to 1995
• Legal advisor, Smith County Court, 1993 to 1995
• Phi Delta Phi Fraternity member
• Past president of the Tyler Rotary Club
• Deacon at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler
• Youth ministry volunteer

Mr. Bauman and his wife, Kathy Wall Bauman, have three children—Hannah, Mary Kathryn, and Henry.

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Neal T. Smith, Partner

Email: neals@brownbaumansmith.com
Phone: 903-597-6333

Lifelong Tyler citizen dedicated to elder law and estate planning in East Texas

Born and raised in Tyler, firm partner Neal Smith focuses his practice on wealth preservation planning through wills, trusts, and other advance planning techniques.  To further his service to clients, he has developed expertise in planning for families with children who have disabilities or other special needs.

Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Practice areas

• Advance directives
• Business successions and corporate structuring
  • Partnerships
  • Limited liability companies
• End-of-life planning
• Living wills
• Estate administration and planning
• Estate planning for parents of children with special needs
• Guardianships
• Long-term care planning
• Medical powers of attorney
• Nursing home rights
• Preserving assets from the threats of estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes
• Probate
• Trusts

Credentials

Mr. Smith is admitted to practice before the U. S. District Court in the Eastern and Northern Districts of Texas and in all Texas state courts.  His memberships in legal organizations include:

• State Bar of Texas
• Smith County Bar Association
• College of the State Bar of Texas
• East Texas Estate Planning Council (director)
• Certified as attorney ad litem by the State Bar of Texas

Noteworthy accomplishments and community involvement

• East Texas Men’s Fellowship (past president and director)
• Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce (Senior Citizens Committee)
• President of Board of Directors for Children’s Village and Goodwill Industries of East Texas
• Active member of Green Acres Baptist Church
• Coordinator of the Tyler Azalea Trail 10K and Fun Run (benefiting Children’s Village) for the past five years

Mr. Smith is an avid runner and has competed in more than 15 marathons.  He and his wife, Marty Burch Smith, have three children—Burch, Blake and Andrew.

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