Robert enjoyed a career as a commercial litigator for a number of years before he decided to focus on serving people who had been hurt, instead of defending wrongdoers and trying to protect insurance companies.

So in 2001 he joined Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP and began representing plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits as well as plaintiffs in business disputes. Alden is listed in both Best Lawyers in America and Texas Monthly’s Super Lawyers. He is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization

“I switched to plaintiff work from defense work because I like helping people with problems that often are the most significant problem in their lives and are beyond their ability to deal with on their own,” Alden says. “It feels good to help people in need like that, especially in the area of personal injury, because they’re people who have had their lives turned upside down.”

Alden’s trial work has earned him acceptance into four prestigious professional organizations: The American College of Trial Lawyers, The American Board of Trial Advocates, and The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and The International Society of Barristers. These organizations are by invitation only. Lawyers must first be nominated confidentially by a member, and then investigated. Qualifications include not only significant trial experience demonstrating superior ability as well as civility and professionalism. Alden has been elected to leadership positions in these organizations, including serving as the Texas State Chair for the American College of Trial Lawyers; Trustee for the American Board of Trial Advocates Foundation; president of TEX-ABOTA, Texas Chapters of ABOTA; and the president of the Austin Chapter of ABOTA.

Undergraduate & Law Degrees

Alden earned his undergraduate degree, with honors, from the University of Texas in 1980, where he was a student in the prestigious Plan II liberal arts honors program. Before entering graduate school, he spent two years teaching and coaching at a boarding school in Connecticut. In 1987, he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas School of Law, graduating with high honors. Because of his high grades he was a Chancellor, which is the Law School’s most prestigious honor society recognizing the 8 students who achieved the highest grade-point average in their class. He was also honored with admission to the Texas Law Review, where he served on the Editorial Board in his final year, and Order of the Coif. Alden also earned a Master of Public Affairs degree in 1987, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Work History

Alden began his legal career as an attorney with McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore in Austin, focusing on commercial litigation. In 1994, he opened his own practice, before joining Bracewell & Patterson in 1997. He stayed with that firm for four years before joining Byrd Davis Alden & Henrichson, LLP.

Although Alden still handles commercial litigation, the majority of his practice is devoted to plaintiff’s personal injury cases, including medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and products liability.

A Love of the Courtroom

While Robert gets satisfaction from helping individuals, he also relishes the competitive aspects of being in court. “To some extent, a jury trial is like teaching a class—you have people you need to educate—and I enjoy doing that,” he says. “But there’s definitely a competitive aspect to it. It gets your adrenaline going. It can be a real battle of wits, especially when you’re dealing with good opposing counsel or opposing expert witnesses.”

Alden is a firm believer in the principles of the Texas Lawyers Creed, which challenge lawyers to always act with civility and professionalism in dealings with clients, opposing counsel, judges and juries. “During my more than 35 years trying cases in the courtroom, I know that both judges and juries appreciate lawyers that are courteous and respectful, and well prepared,” he says. “The judges and jury must trust you if you want a good result for your client.”