At Bertolino Law Firm, we don’t just say grit is important – we live it. 

In the world of professional license defense, there are no easy wins. We represent people who are fighting for their livelihoods – nurses, teachers, accountants, attorneys, and other professionals who’ve worked years, sometimes decades, to build careers now at risk. When they come to us, they’re often scared, overwhelmed, and uncertain. That’s when grit becomes not just a value, but a requirement. Because talent isn’t enough. Intelligence isn’t enough. 

So, what is grit? 

It’s perseverance. It’s passion for the long game. It’s the ability to push through the noise, the doubt, and the pressure to get the job done – ethically, urgently, and with excellence. Grit isn’t loud. It’s not bravado. It’s the quiet, consistent determination to keep showing up and fighting smart, even when the odds feel stacked. 

In our line of work, cases can be complex, emotionally charged, and high stakes. The process can feel like a grind – interviewing witnesses, dissecting regulations, crafting airtight responses, pushing back on unfair treatment. There are moments when the work is heavy. That’s when our grit shows. 

And it’s not just about attorneys. Every team member at Bertolino Law Firm – paralegals, intake specialist, client success, even accounting and marketing – plays a role in showing up with resilience and commitment. Grit looks like staying late to meet a deadline. It looks like calming a panicked client. It looks like catching that one critical detail that changes the trajectory of a case. 

Grit is the difference between giving up and leaning in. Between “we did our best” and “we got it done.” 

That’s the kind of team of which I’m proud to be a part. Not just smart. Not just experienced. But tough, focused, and fiercely dedicated to the people we serve. 

So, the next time a case gets complicated or the pressure’s high, remember this: Grit wins. 

And at Bertolino Law Firm, we bring it every single time.

Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board v. TA

Facts: TA hired Bertolino LLP to defend against a complaint filed with the Board. The complainant made accusations that TA had violated state law, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and Board rules in connection with his certification and inspection of the property being appraised. These allegations threatened to harm TA’s professional reputation and exposed him to potential discipline from the Board. 

Outcome: Bertolino LLP evaluated TA’s situation, assessed the applicable law and we compiled the necessary documents, witness statements and evidence necessary to fight against the accusations and show the Board this needed to be dismissed given the circumstances, facts and details. Bertolino LLP’s legal team developed a well-written response demonstrating the complaint did not support any disciplinary action and ought to be dismissed. The Board considered our submission and agreed to dismiss the charges with a non-disciplinary warning and take no action against our client. This allowed TA to return his focus to running his appraisal business without further distraction from this complaint.

As busy employees, or business owners, it can be easy for occupational and professional license holders to not recognize the large amount of regulatory policy being made each day which impacts your industry, livelihood and career. Having a basic understanding of how the policymaking process works is important to everyone’s success in their industry. 

 Regulatory Agencies Have Authority to Issue Rules Which Shape Government Policy 

Most people remember from high school civics classes that the legislature creates laws that impact people’s lives. However, people often forget that the legislature frequently creates regulatory agencies responsible for managing government regulation of certain industries. These agencies are given the power to create written policies, commonly referred to under Texas law as rules (referred to as “regulations” in the federal law). These rules have a huge impact on licensed professionals by detailing minimum legal requirements, standards if performance, ethics, license application requirements and more. 

Proposed Rules from the Agency Get Published in the Texas Register for Public Consideration and Commentary 

Once a regulatory agency has prepared a proposed rule, the agency’s board or commission must vote to approve its publication in the Texas Register for official consideration by the public and commentary. Members of the public and license holders may submit written comments to the agency after the proposed rule gets published about their thoughts on the proposed rule, any suggested edits and any other feedback they wish to share. Those comments are then considered by the board or commission at a future public meeting before any decision on whether to adopt the proposed rule is taken. Typically agencies also make their proposed rules available on their website, but you can also access those proposed rules on the Texas Secretary of State’s website (which publishes the Texas Register each week with a compilation of all the different state agency rules being proposed). There is usually a multi-week period during which the agency will accept public comments on a proposed rule or rule change before taking any action on the proposal. 

After Public Comment the Agency May Adopt the Rule, Modify It or Choose Not to Adopt it Altogether Based on Public Input 

After a state regulatory agency has considered the public comments submitted in writing to the agency, it will hold another public meeting to consider those comments and decide what it wants to do with the proposed rule. The agency may choose to adopt the rule as published, may make modifications to the rule or may choose not to adopt the rule at all. If the board or commission elects to modify the rule, any substantive / significant changes require it to be republished in the Texas Register for public commentary. Minor / non substantive changes (such as grammar, or minor edits) can typically be made without requiring republication. After agency approval, the finalized rule is published in the Texas Register again and will indicate the date it becomes effective. Most agencies make efforts to publicize new rules or rule changes that are going into effect, so license holders and the public are aware of these important changes to the law. You can often find lots of information on the agency’s website about adopted rules impacting an industry or particular license type. 

Takeaways to Remember for the Rulemaking Process 

Remember that you as a citizen or a license holder have a voice and can share your views with the government as the regulatory agency goes about the important business of making government policy that has the force and effect of law. Review your regulatory agency’s website to learn about rules being proposed and share your written comments with the government and read the text of the rule on the Secretary of State’s website by following the links to the Texas Register. The regulatory agency’s website typically indicates how you can submit your written feedback (often by e-mail), which will be considered by the agency. You can also attend agency public meetings and share your comments about rules that are being considered and are on that meeting’s posted agenda. 

License holders should be mindful of new rules and changes to old rules that have an impact on their professional or occupational license and the obligations they have to clients, patients and consumers. Stay engaged and learn more about rule changes by checking out Bertolino LLP’s free educational services, Know Your Regulator where you can listen to podcasts discussing these issues with state regulators, watch short videos on rule changes, and read information about regulatory changes impacting your license, your livelihood, your business and your industry.  

Side Bar Sessions: Behind the Scenes at Bertolino LLP

Recently, we launched Side Bar Sessions, a new video series that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the people who power Bertolino LLP. Inspired by our recent team retreat focused on building trust, transparency, and a culture of support, these short videos highlight the values and heart our team brings to work every day. We gave employees different prompts to choose from, and the most popular by far was: What do you love most about working here? Every team member who submitted a video picked that one, which says a lot.

Fittingly, Sheri Middlemas kicks us off, of course, as the leader she is! In her video, she shares what she loves most about being part of the firm: “We change lives.” From doctors and nurses to attorneys, real estate agents, and teachers, Sheri reminds us that our work is about more than legal strategy; it’s about protecting the careers, reputations, and futures of professionals across Texas. Her passion reflects the mission that drives us all and echoes the core values we explored together at the retreat.

Side Bar Sessions is just one way we’re keeping that spirit alive, giving our team a space to celebrate what makes this firm so impactful, for clients and each other.