Parties settle when both sides believe the other one might win. Getting them there takes a mediator who can look at a file and see what a Harris County jury would do with it, then say so credibly to a room that does not want to hear it. That credibility comes from having stood in front of those juries, not from having read about them.
Olan Boudreaux has spent more than forty years trying civil cases in Texas, representing plaintiffs and defendants both. He is double Board-Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Trial Law, a combination fewer than one percent of Texas attorneys hold, and he served six years on that board including two terms as its chair. When he tells a party their exposure is real, they tend to believe him, because he has been on their side of the table and knows what it looks like from there.
He is available as a mediator and as an arbitrator, and he takes appointments in matters referred by counsel as well as court-ordered mediations. Sessions can be held at our North Loop West office or at another agreed location. Scheduling generally moves quickly. Call the office and we will find a date.
There is a persistent idea that agreeing to mediate signals weakness, that a party willing to talk must not like their odds. In four decades of doing this, that has not been true. The parties who settle well are usually the ones who understand their case best, including the parts of it that are inconvenient.
What a trial gives you is a decision by twelve people you do not know, on a timeline you do not control, at a cost that is difficult to predict. Sometimes that is the right risk to take, and when it is, you want a lawyer prepared to take it. But most disputes are not improved by two more years and a jury. Mediation is how the parties keep the decision in their own hands, and it is worth taking seriously rather than treating as a box the court makes you check.
Olan’s integrity and achievements have been consistently recognized by his peers and the legal community at large. His professional accolades include:
American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA): Elected member of this exclusive organization of distinguished U.S. trial lawyers.
Super Lawyers®: Consistently recognized as a top-rated attorney in Texas.
The Best Lawyers in America©: Multi-year honoree.
“H” Magazine: Named a “Houston Top Lawyer” and a “Lawyer for the People.”
Bar Foundations: Sustaining Life Fellow of both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation.
A highly sought-after expert in his field, Olan frequently lectures at seminars and programs across the state. He is a staple on the Texas Trial Lawyers Association’s lecture roster and regularly speaks at law schools, professional groups, and the State Bar of Texas, often authoring the accompanying educational materials.
Olan’s greatest pride is his family. He and his wife, Mary Anne, have a wonderfully blended family with four daughters—Lisa, Katie, Melanie, and Denise—and are the proud grandparents of Morgan, Nate, Gillian, Madilynn, Meghan, Aubrey, Charles, Isaac, and Reagan.
(713) 400-4030
1111 North Loop West, Suite 940 Houston, Texas 77008
At Boudreaux Law Firm:, we are dedicated to providing reliable legal representation that prioritizes your needs. Our team of experienced attorneys works tirelessly to safeguard your rights.
I had an excellent experience working with Olan. They were highly professional, communicated clearly throughout the entire process, and ultimately secured a fantastic outcome for my case. I always felt like a priority and truly appreciated their dedication. I highly recommend their services!
The Boudreaux Law Firm, P.C. is a premier Houston trial firm led by Olan Boudreaux, an attorney with over 40 years of experience.
