Record details
-
-
I was born and raised in Smith County and graduated from Robert E. Lee in 1969. While I was active in extracurricular activities in high school (athletics, drama and choir), I was “too busy” to spend much time perfecting my academic skills. I was always diligent about putting the book covers on the books at the beginning of each year and taking them off at the end of the year, but my contact with my books otherwise was sporadic.
During my junior year at Lee, I thought about joining the Marines. I remember seeing my buddies in their Marine uniforms when they came home from basic, and I was convinced I would make a great Marine (or at least look good in that uniform). Before my senior year ended, one had died in Vietnam, a second had been seriously wounded there and the third was AWOL. Soon, I had a change of heart. Higher education (and a draft exemption) became a little more attractive.
I was blessed with musical talent and had been a tenor in the choir at Lee. Our instructor arranged an audition with the Director of the TJC Singing Apaches, J.W. Johnson. I was awarded a music scholarship and became a soloist for Johnson’s group. I could hit notes only the dogs could hear. Although none of us kids probably gave it much thought at the time, J.W. was a generous man who taught us to love all kinds of music and had an unlimited enthusiasm that rubbed off on all of us. I never heard any of his students say a single bad word about J.W. Johnson.
In the fall of 1970, the TJC Choir announced the formation of a new group that became “Harmony & Understanding.” My musical sidekick from Hawkins, Carleta Hathcox (“Annie” in TJC’s “Annie Get Your Gun”) and I, were members of the original group and claim firsthand knowledge of how it got its name. We were standing around after an early rehearsal and Carleta and I began trying to convince the others we should sing a song by the Fifth Dimension called ‘Aquarius.’ A portion of the lyrics began with the words ‘harmony and understanding.’ The next thing you know, the group had a name.
I also made an abrupt change in my academics after I arrived at TJC. I remember a required course was Freshman Orientation (designed to show us how a college student could avoid scholastic probation). I believe that was the first time in my life anyone had tried to explain to me how to take a systematic and disciplined approach to academics. So I decided to take what for me was a radical step. I actually looked inside my books. The results were astounding. After my first semester at TJC, I made the Dean’s List. As my confidence grew so did my willingness to devote time to my studies. They didn’t actually teach me how to read at TJC, but they sure taught me how to study and the value of study.
After graduation from TJC in 1971, I attended North Texas State University. With the help of J.W., I won a music scholarship singing in the NTSU A Cappella Choir. I also continued my transfiguration as an academician, making the Honors List and graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science.
Next was Baylor Law School. At the end of the first of 9 quarters, I had the top grades in my class and got an academic scholarship. I had gone from spending almost no time in the books before I came to TJC, to spending most of my waking hours there while in law school.
The hard work paid off. In August 1975, I was the top law graduate in my class and was awarded my law degree cum laude, after publishing articles in and serving as an Editor on the Law Review.
I entered private practice in Dallas, where I soon established my own firm. In December 1990, I sat for the specialty exam and was certified in Civil Trial Law. My law practice today consists of a wide variety of civil matters including litigation in business, professional malpractice, probate disputes, asset protection and fiduciary duty issues including appeals. More about my legal services can be found at: adamslawcenter.com.
I am still active in music, as a songwriter and performer. I have found it’s a good way to stay out of psychological analysis. My wonderful wife of almost 29 years, Sharon, and I have two great children: Weston, 27 and Kathryn, 24.
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity TJC gave me to get my feet on the ground, academically. I am a walking example of what a young person can get out of a stay at TJC. It’s just like one of J.W.’s favorite old show tunes: “It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish.”
- Biography
- TJC Hero and Friend Carl David Adams is rated “AV Preeminent” by the Peer Review rating system of Martindale-Hubbell, which evaluates lawyers and law firms in the United States, based on confidential questionnaires sent to lawyers and judges. He remains active in music, as a regular songwriter and sometimes performer, entertaining at weddings and informal gatherings of close friends and family. He and Sharon live in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas, and have two children: Weston, 27 and Kathryn, 24.
