Growing up Stephenville: From FFA to City Hall, attorney finds success in hometown
By SARA VANDEN BERGE
Stephenville attorney Brady Pendleton is among a growing number of residents who grew up in Erath County and made the decision to stay in their hometown to start a business and raise a family.
“There is no place like home,” Pendleton said. “Stephenville is unique because it’s a small town setting that provides great education, health care, activities for youth and a chance to get involved socially that you can’t find anywhere else.”
Pendleton was heavily involved with FFA while growing up.
“I showed pigs my whole life, since I was about six years old,” he said.
That tradition continues with his 12-year-old son Jonathon. His daughter Chandler, 5, will begin showing pigs when she enters third grade.
Pendleton graduated from Stephenville High School in 2003 and Tarleton State University in 2008.
He attended law school at Texas A&M University School of Law.
Today, the 34-year-old Pendleton has a busy law practice that primarily focuses on criminal defense and family law.
He has been a member of the Stephenville City Council since 2012 and currently serves as mayor pro tem.
He and his wife Lisa also own Hearsay Wine Bar near the Erath County Courthouse where they are working with other business owners to add vibrancy to the downtown area.
In 2019, Pendleton received quite an honor from Tarleton when he was named Outstanding Young Alumnus.
“Stephenville is a welcoming place and provides unique opportunities for families and business owners that you can’t find anywhere else,” he said.
Stephenville seems like a tight-knit community where success stories like this one really stand out. Having an attorney who started locally and found success both in legal practice and civic engagement, especially in personal injury law, can be inspiring for others in the area. It highlights the importance of local talent and expertise, especially in legal matters like personal injury cases where having a knowledgeable attorney can make a significant difference for individuals and families.