Managing Attorney, Tyler Flood & Associates
Tyler Flood is the managing attorney of Tyler Flood & Associates in Houston, Texas, and leads the firm's clergy abuse practice. He is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a designation held by a small fraction of Texas lawyers, which requires a minimum of five years in practice, rigorous examination, peer review and ongoing continuing education.
He is also an ACS-CHAL Lawyer-Scientist, a designation from the Divisions of Chemistry and Law of the American Chemical Society recognising attorneys who have completed in-depth study of forensic scientific method. He has held it since 2015.
In 2017 he served as President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, one of the largest local criminal defense bars in the United States.
Why a Trial Lawyer's Background Matters in a Clergy Abuse Case
Most clergy abuse claims settle. That is usually the right outcome for a survivor, and our page on confidential settlement negotiation explains why. But the value of a settlement is set by what the institution believes will happen if the case is tried — which means the single most useful thing a survivor's lawyer can bring to the table is a credible willingness, and demonstrated ability, to try the case.
Two parts of Tyler's background bear directly on this work:
- Courtroom practice. Board certification in criminal law is earned in the courtroom, not on paper. Cases are built, challenged and tried.
- Scientific and documentary evidence. The ACS-CHAL work is the discipline of taking an institution's own evidence apart methodically — understanding how a record was produced, what it omits, and where the gaps are. In a clergy abuse case, the equivalent material is the personnel file, the assignment history, the treatment referral, the letter to the insurer and the confidential canonical archive. Our article on how churches are held legally responsible explains why those documents usually decide the case.
To be precise about it: Tyler's board certification is in criminal law. Texas does not certify a specialty in clergy abuse or institutional liability, and no lawyer can honestly claim one. What board certification demonstrates is tested competence and an active trial practice.
Education
- South Texas College of Law Houston — Juris Doctor
- Texas State University — Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Certifications and Designations
- Board Certified — Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- ACS-CHAL Lawyer-Scientist, Divisions of Chemistry and Law, American Chemical Society (since 2015)
Professional Associations
- Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association — Past President (2017)
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- National College for DUI Defense — member since 2004
- DUI Defense Lawyers Association — Founding Member
- Texas DWI Defenders — member since 2009
- American Chemical Society
Recognition
- Avvo rating of 10.0
- Texas Super Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell peer-reviewed rating
- Houstonia “Best Of” attorney listing
He has written for The VOICE for the Defense and The Houston Press, has taught continuing legal education including a DWI seminar hosted at South Texas College of Law, and is a frequent commentator for Houston news outlets on criminal justice matters.
How Tyler Works With Survivors
Coming forward is not a legal decision before it is a personal one, and survivors are entitled to take it at their own pace. Practically, that means a first conversation with no cost, no obligation and no pressure; a straight answer about whether there is a viable claim, including when the answer is no; privacy protections explained before anything is filed, not after; and contingency representation, so there is no fee unless there is a recovery.
If you want to understand the process before speaking to anyone, our guides on what evidence you actually need and filing anonymously are written for exactly that purpose.
Practice Information
Tyler Flood & Associates · 2019 Washington Ave #300, Houston, TX 77007 · (713) 224-5529 · info@clergyabuseattorneys.com
Tyler also maintains a Houston criminal defense and DWI practice at tylerflood.com.
To speak with Tyler about a clergy abuse claim, contact the firm for a free and confidential consultation.