Values that Drive Us

Our Story

Core Values
Our clients depend on our legal expertise to navigate complex business issues and provide aggressive courtroom support. At SettlePou, we deliver even more than that. Our firm is driven by core values that translate into genuine relationships and powerful advocacy.

SettlePou first opened its doors in 1978, founded by John D. Settle, Jr., and Robert L. Pou III. We began with a focus on commercial lending and real estate transactions, and gradually expanded our services in response to our clients’ needs. Today, our firm has grown to include more than 35 lawyers and six practice areas — but our commitment to client service remains the same. From forming partnerships with seasoned attorneys to training tomorrow’s leaders through our clerkship program, our firm is built around good people and great lawyers. As we enter the next 40 years, we’ll continue to provide exceptional service and to put our clients’ needs first.

Core Values

SettlePou’s core values are not aspirational — they reflect the principles on which SettlePou was built. Our core values guide our culture, our client relationships, and our practice. We navigate our daily practice by using the three Rs:

RESPECT

  • Engage others with humility.
  • Honor your profession.
  • Value the balance of personal life and career.

RESPONSIVENESS

  • Be prompt.
  • Communicate.
  • Follow through.

RESULTS

  • Be diligent.
  • Be persistent.
  • Be creative.
  • Require excellence.
  • Find solutions.
  • Take initiative.

Community Involvement

SettlePou is proud to support the communities where we live and work. We are involved in community organizations and charitable giving through group projects and sponsorships, as well as our attorneys’ individual commitments. The organizations we support include Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (its mission is to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues) and the below events and organizations:

Diversity

Diversity
SettlePou is dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture consistent with its core values of respect, responsiveness, and results. We recognize the importance of reflecting the diversity of our clients and community in our workplace. We understand that diversity promotes a strong firm by contributions from many of differing backgrounds and cultures. We also know that a diverse firm provides the highest level of excellence in services to our clients.

SettlePou values the unique differences in our employees, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, life experiences, education, career path, family responsibilities, hobbies, personal values, personality, politics, religion, and cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe the wide array of perspectives that results from such diversity promotes innovation and business success. We treat all people with respect and dignity and strive to create and foster a supportive and understanding environment in which all individuals realize their maximum potential within the firm, regardless of their differences.

SettlePou recognizes that racism, ageism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination are problems of our community and society as a whole. In addition to creating and promoting an atmosphere of diversity within the firm, SettlePou has also committed to involvement in the community to promote and advance diversity. SettlePou has been long-time sponsors of the Texas Minority Counsel Program and was a sponsor of the National Association of Women Lawyers Mid-Year Meeting. SettlePou is committed to the promotion of minority, women, and LGBTQ attorneys to be involved in all aspects of our firm and with all of our clients.

SettlePou will continue to promote firm involvement in inclusive and diverse community organizations and work to ensure the retention and advancement of attorneys and staff of diverse backgrounds. We look forward to further growth in this area.