Hempstead Business Highlight: Get to Know Looney, Smith & Conrad, PC

If the saying rings true that it’s all about location, location, location, Hempstead’s Looney, Smith & Conrad, PC has it made. Housed in a small brick building on one of our town’s main thoroughfares — and just a block from the Waller County Courthouse — the law office’s spot on the map adds ease to everyday business.

The firm, which has offices in both Hempstead and Houston, got its start in 1997. Paul Looney and Clay Conrad served as the original partners, while Wade Smith joined on as shareholder attorney in 2020. It was 2008 when they opened the Hempstead location, with just a secretary — and Paul traveling to town for court dockets and interviews. Today, with a larger, fully staffed office, Paul meets clients from across the U.S.

And the team views itself as a family.

“We like to call ourselves ‘the looney farm,’” Firm Administrator and Paralegal Cynthia Zamora said with a laugh. “We stick together.”

Looney, Smith & Conrad focuses largely on civil and criminal law, helping clients in a wide range of areas. From family law, to breach of contract work, criminal defense work and beyond, they’re here to help their friends and neighbors.

Free hour-long legal clinics are available each Thursday, allowing community members to get their legal questions answered. And there’s always someone on-site to help Spanish language speakers, too.

“We make sure that they understand what they’re up against, and that there’s someone out there to always help them,” Cynthia explained. “Whichever office they call, they’ll be able to speak to someone.”

The firm supports its community in other ways, too, sponsoring little league teams and other athletic endeavors, giving to local fundraisers and taking part in events such as the Waller County Fair & Rodeo.

A few years ago, they launched a general scholarship for graduating seniors. The scholarship doesn’t require a student to pursue a legal career, Cynthia said — only to continue their education.

“We want them to know an education is key for future success,” she explained. “Any type of education will help you in the future.”

In addition to everything else, the firm tries to do as much business as possible with local companies. From signage needs, to business cards and anything else for that matter, if they can source that work here in Hempstead, they do.

“We reach out to our local community. I think that’s important,” Cynthia said. “We hope people would do the same for us.”

Looney, Smith & Conrad PC is located at 918 Austin Street in Hempstead. For more information, call 979.826.8484 or visit looneysmithconrad.com.