ATTORNEY RICHARD L TATE - Key Persons
Barbara Eben grew up in Rosenberg, attended Holy Rosary Elementary School, and graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School. She has an associate's degree from Wharton County Junior College at the Wharton campus. In 1977, she started her career as an accredited medical records technician at Polly Ryon Hospital in Richmond, Texas. She also worked at Prudential Insurance Company doing quality review work in the dental claims department. In 1985, Barbara changed careers and began working in the legal industry for the law firm of Scherer, Roberts, Slone, Gresham, Lytle & Moore in Richmond. Her prior training in records analysis, medical terminology, and transcription fit in perfectly with a legal career.
Barbara Eben began working at Attorney Richard L. Tate as a paralegal in 2004. The firm provided the opportunity to work heavily on civil litigation cases, which she really enjoys. Her favorite part of litigation is working with clients to compile the necessary evidence to support the elements of their case. Getting a case ready for trial involves a lot of time and preparation, and Barbara has assisted with jury selection through closing arguments. She has observed the firm's professionalism at its best.
Barbara also appreciates that each of the partners offers their legal services on pro bono cases that have really impacted and changed the lives of the less fortunate. A particular case that stands out involved a young mother who did not believe she would ever regain her visitation rights after being incarcerated for drug-related charges. She had very little money, but was working several jobs to prove she had turned her life around. She made efforts to keep in contact with her child, but she was blocked by the father. Mr. Tate realized her need was genuine and offered his legal services pro bono. The outcome was positive for this young mother and life changing for her and her daughter.
Barbara has been married for thirty-nine years and has two daughters and four grandchildren. She enjoys camping and water activities and take the entire family on a summer vacation to the Frio River because it holds many special memories.
Patty Fitzgerald was born in Florida, but raised in New England where she lived for nearly 35 years. In 1989, she earned a B.A. in Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University and worked for 15 years in public relations and marketing before entering the legal field as a file clerk for a small Tennessee law firm where she worked her way up to legal assistant.
In 2015, Patty received her paralegal certificate from the University of Texas at Austin.
In September of 2015, she started working as a paralegal for Richard L. Tate moving to Texas from Tennessee. Patty Fitzgerald assists the attorneys with all phases of litigation from filing the lawsuit to trial. She especially enjoys working in the areas of family law and contract law. She takes pride in the way the firm advocates for its clients and how they pull together as a team, particularly during crunch times.
Outside of the office, Patty enjoys reading, movies, traveling, and spending time with her husband and twin sons. She is also a huge word puzzle fan, and on any given Sunday, can be found with a cup of tea hunched over the New York Times crossword puzzle and Cryptoquip.