JD, cum laude, Baylor University School of Law, 1975
BA, Political Science, Baylor University, 1974

While attending Baylor University Joe was a member of Phi Delta Phi. He was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1975.

• Texas State Bar

• The Best Lawyers in America - Trusts and Estates, Best Lawyers, 2007 – 2025
• Chambers HNW, Texas Private Wealth Law, Chambers & Partners, 2016 – 2021
• Five Star Estate Planning Attorney, Five Star Professional, 2014
• Texas Top Rated Lawyer, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, 2012 – 2020
• Texas Super Lawyer, Estate & Probate, Thomson Reuters, 2003 – 2004, 2006 – 2020, 2022
• Texas Super Lawyer, top 100 Houston lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2011
• National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals, Heritage Registry, 2005 – 2006

• Co Author, "Tax Alert for Non-U.S. People Owning U.S. Property", Fulbright Briefing, June 26, 2012
• Co Author, "Tax Changes Effective as of January 1, 2012: Significant Implications For Estate Planning", Fulbright Briefing, January 20, 2012
• Co Author, "New Estate and Gift Tax Legislation: Highlights and Recommendations", Fulbright Briefing, April 12, 2011
• Co Author, "Opportunities for Owners of Early Stage Businesses Under the 2010 Tax Relief Act", The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski - Trusts & Estates, 2010
• Co Author, "An Informational Lifeline for the Family", The Texas Tax Lawyer, Winter 2011
• Co Author, "2010 Year End Planning Opportunity", Fulbright Alert, November 17, 2010
• Co Author, "Selling A Business - Designing Your Life Post Transaction", The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski - Corporate, October 7, 2010
• Co Author, "Making Congressional Lemons into Lemonade", The International Law Firm of Fulbright & Jaworski - Trusts & Estates, September 21, 2010
• Co Author, "2010 Repeal of Federal Estate and GST Taxes: Its Immediate Impact", Fulbright Briefing, January 28, 2010

• Panelist, "The dynamics of creating and operating a family office," 2014 Texas Family Business Forum, Houston, Texas, May 29, 2014
• "FBAR and FATCA - Do These Federal Laws Apply to Your Trust Company?," South Dakota Trust Company Forum on Private/Public Trust Companies, May 21, 2014
• Co-panelist, "FATCA for Trusts and Estates: What Fiduciaries and Beneficiaries Need to Know," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. web seminar, May 23, 2013
• Co-panelist, "Current Estate Planning Topics: Shell Seminar Series," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Houston, Texas, August 21, 2012
• Co-panelist, "Private Company Owner Exit Strategy: Window of Opportunity," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Barclays seminar, Houston, Texas, May 22, 2012
• Co-panelist, "Planning Your Exit: Strategies and Tactics," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Pangaea Solutions, Inc. seminar, Austin, Texas, October 11, 2011
• Co-panelist, "Traps and Treasures: Effective Property Transfers Between Related Parties and Increased IRS Attention," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. web seminar, August 24, 2011
• Co-panelist, "Selling A Business - Designing Your Life Post Transaction," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Bernstein Wealth Management web seminar, October 7, 2010
• Co-panelist, "The First Step Before Selling Your Business - Planning Your Future," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and Barclays Wealth seminar, Houston Texas, October 6, 2010
• Co-panelist, "Making Congressional Lemons into Lemonade: Creating an Action Plan for Your Estate," Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. seminar, September 21, 2010
• "FLP's and Other Estate Planning Updates," The Financial Planning Association of Houston, Houston, Texas, 2004
• "Split Dollar has Split and Hooray for the UPIA: Essentials Financial Professionals Need to Know," Society of Financial Service Professionals, Houston Chapter, 2004
• "Changes in Trust Administration; Updates on Other Important Texas Trust and Probate Legislation," Continuing Education Program, Texas A&M Foundation Trust Company, Bryan/College Station, Texas, 2003
• "Successful Planning for the Entrepreneur," Wells Fargo Private Client Education Program, Houston, Texas, 2003
• "Pursuing Exit Strategies," 2002 Family and Owner-Managed Business Program, Texas A&M University Lowry Mays College and Graduate School of Business, Bryan/College Station, Texas, 2002
• "Advanced Planning Techniques," Society of Financial Service Professionals, Houston Chapter, Houston, Texas, 2002
• "Business Succession Planning," Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center, Business Success in Planning Conference, Houston, Texas, 2001 

• State Bar of Texas
  • Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, former member of the council
  • Texas Guardianship Code Committee, former Chair
  • Tax Section
    • Inheritance Tax Committee, former member
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
• Houston Bar Association
  •  Probate, Trust and Estate Section
  • Tax Section
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
• Houston Estate and Financial Forum
• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow
• Texas Academy of Probate and Trust Lawyers
• Houston Business & Estate Planning Council
• Southwestern Seminary Foundation, Fort Worth, Texas, Former Trustee
• Greater Houston Community Foundation, Professional Advisors Council
• Texas A&M University Foundation Planned Giving Council
• Baylor University Planned Giving Council
• Houston Baptist University, Former Trustee
• Star of Hope Mission, Trustee and Chairman of the Board
• Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas
  • Special Outside Counsel on planned giving
  • Deacon
  • Bible Study Mentor
• Joshua Foundation, Houston, Texas
  • Special Outside Counsel on planned giving