Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Trimble.
Hi Jim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Law is actually a second career for me. I studied political science at Texas A&M, and like many political science majors, I did not immediately end up in politics or law. My first career was in distribution. After college, I went to work for a wholesale building supply distributor. It was not something I had planned on, but I was good at it, and for a while it was a comfortable fit.
When the housing market crashed in 2008, everything changed. Because my work was tied closely to residential construction, both my employment situation and my income were significantly impacted. That season forced me to step back and reevaluate what I wanted for my future. I had always known that law school was an option, and the more I considered it, the more it seemed like the path that would give me the stability and professional direction I was looking for.
I took the LSAT, scored well enough to earn admission to the night program at Texas Wesleyan School of Law, and continued working full time while attending classes in the evenings. While I was there, Texas A&M purchased the law school and it officially became Texas A&M School of Law, which was an exciting transition to experience as a student. Wanting to be at the top of my class meant long hours and a lot of sacrifice.
In my final semester, I earned a paid internship with a solo practitioner in Keller, Texas, with the possibility of an associate position after graduation. That internship was where I learned the nuts and bolts of estate planning and probate, including drafting plans, probating Wills, and handling real client work.
I took two months off to study for the bar exam, passed on the first attempt, and stepped into a full-time associate attorney role with Dave Routzon. I enjoyed the work very much. However, not long into my time there, one of my clients offered me a position as general manager of her freight brokerage company. Financially, it was an opportunity I could not afford to pass up, so I accepted it and stepped away from full-time legal practice.
Although I valued the relationships I built at that company, the work did not give me the satisfaction I felt practicing law, the thing I had spent years working toward. I shared this with my wife, Breanna, and she encouraged me to take the leap and build my own practice. With her support, I opened the Law Office of James Trimble, PLLC, and began accepting clients. I leased my first office in Keller, the city where we live. In the early days, I took almost any type of case that came through the door, but over time I realized that the work I enjoyed most and was best at was estate planning and probate. That remains the focus of my practice today.
The early years were lean, but the practice grew steadily each year. In 2019, I hired my first paralegal. By 2022, we had outgrown our space and moved into our current office in Colleyville. In 2024, my wife left her successful corporate career to join the firm, and her impact has been tremendous. Since then, we have added additional staff and opened a remote office in North Richland Hills to keep up with demand.
What began as a career pivot after the housing market crash has grown into a thriving and fulfilling law practice. I am grateful every day that I get to do the work that first drew me to the legal field, helping families navigate estate planning and probate with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
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?
Like most small business owners, my path has not been entirely smooth. Starting a law practice from scratch is both exciting and humbling. In the early years, the biggest challenge was simply building momentum. Revenue was light, the client work was unpredictable, and I was juggling every role at once: attorney, receptionist, bookkeeper, marketer, and everything in between.
Another struggle was the learning curve of running a business. Even though I knew the law, managing a firm is a completely different skill set. I had to learn how to build systems, manage client expectations, hire and train staff, and create a brand that reflected the level of service I wanted to provide.
There were also personal challenges. I had left a stable job and taken a risk, and there were moments when I wondered if the practice would grow fast enough or smoothly enough to support my family. Fortunately, growth did come year after year, and the support of my wife was a driving force in keeping the firm moving forward.
Looking back, the struggles were necessary. They pushed me to refine the practice, strengthen our processes, and build the client-centered firm we have today. Every challenge ultimately shaped the way we serve families now with clarity, steadiness, and a deep understanding that people come to us during some of their most stressful seasons.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Trimble Law Office?
Trimble Law Office is a boutique estate planning and probate firm based in Colleyville. We focus almost exclusively on helping families plan for the future and navigate the legal side of losing a loved one. Estate planning and probate are not just part of what we do — they are our entire focus.
We’re known for making these processes clear, personal, and manageable. Clients often come to us feeling overwhelmed, and I take pride in the fact that they leave feeling informed, supported, and confident in their decisions. We tailor every plan to the client’s real life and goals, and on the probate side, we guide families through each step with efficiency and compassion.
What sets us apart is our commitment to communication and client service. We explain things in plain English, we make ourselves accessible, and our team genuinely cares about the people we serve.
Most of all, I want readers to know that our brand is built on trust. Nearly all of our growth has come from referrals — clients, financial advisors, and CPAs who believe in the experience we provide. At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to give families real peace of mind through thoughtful estate planning and dependable probate guidance.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone just starting out is to stay patient and stay consistent. In the beginning, it is easy to feel discouraged by slow growth or to compare yourself to others who seem further along. The reality is that most successful careers and businesses are built quietly, one client or one opportunity at a time. If you show up every day, treat people well, and do good work, momentum will follow.
I also wish I had understood earlier that you do not have to have everything figured out on day one. You learn by doing. The systems, processes, and confidence you need will develop over time. It is far more important to start moving than to wait for the perfect moment.
Another lesson I learned is the value of asking for help. You do not have to be the expert in every part of your business. Surround yourself with people who are strong where you are weak, and do not hesitate to lean on mentors, peers, or professionals when you need guidance.
Finally, protect your time and your mindset. When you are building something, stress and self-doubt can creep in easily. Stay grounded, keep your long-term vision in view, and remember why you started. Looking back, every challenge makes more sense once you see where it eventually leads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.trimblelawoffice.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trimblelawoffice
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trimblelawoffice
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trimblelawoffice/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/trimble-law-office-colleyville?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
