Meet Justin Bynum: Lawyer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Justin Bynum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, what principle do you value most?
There is an unwarranted aversion that exists between the members of the public and the legal profession. Many people believe that lawyers are without ethics, though, in reality, this could not be further from the truth. As a lawyer, the foundational principle upon which I’ve built my practice and life is integrity. Integrity is paramount to the success of not only a career, but also a life. For this reason, I seek to ensure that everything that I do begins with the principles of honesty and truthfulness. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a practicing attorney in Dallas. I graduated from the SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, which I chose because it is an elite law school and because it is in my home town. I love being a lawyer because my profession affords me the opportunity to do well while doing good. For example, I am able to advocate for my clients, some of whom cannot afford legal representation, and achieve for them outcomes that were previously out of reach. Although I am happy to be a lawyer, I was not always able to practice the way that I do now. After law school, I went to work for a corporation, but I recognized that it was not for me. It was not until I opened my own firm that I truly felt I was fulfilling my purpose. There is so much freedom that comes with being able to direct ones own career. I, with the help of my wife, make my own decisions about the cases that I take and how I run my practice. Never before have I had this much autonomy and control over my own life, and with this freedom, I am able to choose how I want to use my gifts in service to others. This, to me, is the beauty of being a business owner. This is not to say that owning a business is easy. It is not. Nonetheless, running my own firm has been a tremendous blessing for me because it gives me so much more control over my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas, Texas is a beautiful city, and DFW is the type of metroplex that has something for everyone. Although the coronavirus has changed how people experience the city, I recognize that the virus will not always be with us. If, after the pandemic has lifted, I was going to share my city with a friend who’s never been, I’d want to first take him downtown to see some of the landmarks that Dallas is known for: Bank of America Tower is a luminescent building that introduces new comers to the city, and Reunion Tower is a premier part of the Dallas skyline, especially when it is lit up at night. I’d also want to take my friend to the George Allen Courthouse to observe a hearing, and later to the Belo Mansion downtown for lunch. There are several museums in and around Downtown that I would want my friend to see: the Perot Museum, the Dallas Museum of Arts, the African American History Museum, and the Sixth Floor Museum. Each of these museums would take a few hours to peruse, so I’d want to make sure my friend has time to digest them. Just outside of Downtown, there are a few other places that I’d want to be sure my friend sees, particularly, the eateries. I love Trulucks, so I’d take my friend there for seafood and some of the world’s best carrot cake. During his stay, I’d also want to be sure my friend gets a chance to try Hardeman’s barbeque and Henderson’s chicken. Assuming my friend is still up to see more of the city after indulging in some of the best food Dallas has to offer, I’d take him to the arboretum. During the fall months, the arboretum comes alive with the vibrant colors of the pumpkin patch. Deep Ellum is also a must to see because of all the beautiful murals that line the buildings. Deep Ellum has a rich history in Dallas, so I’d definitely want my friend to see it. Finally, I’d want my friend to see Oak Cliff. We could play a round of golf at the Golf Club of Dallas, or go for a run at Kiest Park. I’m sure my friend would need more than a week to really appreciate Dallas, but that just means he’d have to come back for another visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It is not lost on me that I have been quite fortunate to make it as far as I have from where I started. Even more apparent is the influence others have had on my success. I would never delude myself into believing that I am where I am because I deserve to be here. Instead, I recognize that my success has been built by not only my endeavors, but those of the people who cared enough about me to invest in my future, almost always without any hopes of getting anything more than a thank you in return. My mother was one such person. She worked tirelessly to provide for me and my siblings. Her determination pushed me through not only high school and college, but also to law school. My teachers too, most memorably, Ms. Francis Gee, cultivated within me a desire to learn and be better. I firmly believe in the power of teachers to mold their students, and Ms. Gee has continued to have a tremendous impact on me years after I graduated from high school. There are, of course, countless others who contributed to my success: my wife, my siblings, my mentors and friends. I am what I am because they invested in me.

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