Retired U.S. Naval Commander William Thau has been practicing law on his own in Corpus Christi since 1992. Courtesy photo
Living in Corpus Christi became even more perfect for attorney William Thau after moving his law offices from Flour Bluff to Southside last year.
“Now, I practice right next to where I live,” said the former U.S. naval commander.
Thau has been practicing law in the Coastal Bend since he left his post as staff judge advocate at the Kingsville Naval Air Station in 1992. As a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Thau (pronounced Thaw, which rhymes with law) handled court-martial and criminal cases for the military. He served in San Diego and Kingsville.
“I very much respect the military system,” Thau said. “It’s a wonderful training ground. It’s very efficient. I think that’s why it works so well.”
That discipline translated well to civilian law, Thau said. As a JAG, he often counseled families free of charge about family law matters, something military lawyers don’t handle in court but on which they can give advice.
“I developed some expertise in the area, and when I got out of the military, I did that and criminal law,” he said. “I found myself going more into family law.”
Working in family law is Thau’s way of serving the community, one of the reasons he became an attorney in the first place.
“I want to help people with tough situations and to provide for my family,” he said.
He is also following in his father’s footsteps.
“My dad was a lawyer, and he used to take me to work every Saturday,” Thau said. “I saw how hard he had to work and what he got out of it, and I wanted to be like him.”
He did the same for his kids when they were old enough, but so far, no takers on joining the family firm. Thau’s twins — a son and a daughter — are both in college: one at Texas A&M University and one at the University of Texas. He jokingly calls his home “a house divided.”
Along with family law, Thau also takes on cases involving wills, probates, criminal matters and personal injuries. Of course, he still deals with military issues, which can overlap with both personal injury and family law.
Military law will always be part of his practice, he said, and is a main reason for settling in Corpus Christi. Also, he met his wife here.
“I’ve always been a Texan — I’m from Dallas,” he said. “I felt I could help a lot of service members and families because of the large military population in Corpus Christi.”
Thau has succeeded in his adopted home, where he and his wife are members of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Named a “Texas Super Lawyer” for three years by Texas Monthly, he attributes that success to the fact he enjoys his job.
“I like what I do,” he said. “It’s always challenging. There’s always a new problem, always someone who needs help. If you don’t enjoy what you do then you need to find another profession.”
Thau plans to remain an attorney in Corpus Christi.
“I’m very content here,” he said. “I plan to continue to be here for quite some time.”
The offices of William A. Thau III, P.C., are located at 5337 Yorktown Blvd., Suite 4A2. Call (361) 980-3700 or visit thaulaw.com or williamthau.com.
