Emery Brett Ledger

The Ledger Law Firm is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm founded in 1998 by Emery Brett Ledger, Esq. With offices across California, Texas, and Washington, the firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to individuals who have suffered due to the negligence of others.

Emery Brett Ledger, the firm's founder, brings over 25 years of experience in personal injury law. Licensed in California, Washington, and Texas, he has built a reputation for securing substantial settlements and verdicts for his clients. His commitment to client advocacy is reflected in his 10.0 Avvo rating and membership in esteemed organizations such as The Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Association – Top 25 .

Under Ledger's leadership, The Ledger Law Firm has grown into a powerhouse in personal injury litigation, handling hundreds of cases annually and recovering millions for clients. The firm's areas of practice include automobile accidents, wrongful death, mass torts, and more .
Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys

Emery Brett Ledger's philosophy centers on treating each client with respect and providing personalized attention. He believes in empowering clients through informed decision-making and steadfast legal support. This client-first approach has been instrumental in the firm's success and reputation .
The Ledger Law Firm

For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit The Ledger Law Firm's website.

Pepperdine University School of Law

J.D. (1998) | Active student body counsel representative

Arizona State University

B.A. (1994) | Political Science

Honors: Graduated Cum Laude

Founder / Attorney

The Ledger Law Firm

1998 - Current

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2025

Client Champion - Platinum

Martindale Hubbell Lawyer Services

2025

Top 100 Trial Attorneys

National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Attorneys

National Trial Lawyers

2015

California State Bar  # 196917

Member

1998 - Current

California

Since 1998

• Free Consultation
  Free Initial Case Evaluation
• Credit Cards Accepted
  All Personal Injury Matters Handled On A Contingency Fee Basis i.e. No Out Upfront Cost To The Client
• Contingent Fees
  No Recovery = No Fee

Q. Neighbor's dog attacked my daughter's dog, causing injuries. Neighbors refuse to pay vet bills despite evidence and prior incidents. What legal actions can be taken in Texas?

May 28, 2025

A: The other two lawyers who answered are spot on but I'm happy to chime in as well.

First off, I’m really sorry this happened to your daughter, her pup, and her kids. That’s scary, painful, and expensive—and no one should have to deal with that kind of stress alone.

Here’s what you can do in Texas when a neighbor refuses to take responsibility for a dog attack:

1. Small Claims Court (Justice of the Peace Court)

You can file a claim for the vet bills and related expenses in small claims court (up to $20,000 in Texas). This is a great option because:

You don’t need a lawyer.

You already have strong evidence: photos, witnesses, prior incidents, and a police report.



It’s usually resolved fairly quickly.

2. Personal Injury Claim

Since the children were also injured, you may also have grounds for a personal injury claim. Even if the physical injuries were minor, emotional distress and medical costs can factor in. In this case, it’s wise to consult a personal injury attorney.

3. Dangerous Dog Laws

Texas has specific laws about “dangerous dogs.” Since there are past incidents and a report, animal control may already be building a file. Even though the dog’s gone now, that doesn’t erase the legal responsibility. Your case might help prevent future problems if they get another dog.

If the kids’ injuries were significant, talk to a personal injury attorney.

Keep copies of your letters and document any responses (or silence). ... Read More

Q. Can police stop a commercial motor vehicle without reasonable suspicion in Texas?

May 28, 2025

A: This is a very insightful and important question, especially for commercial drivers who operate under both state and federal regulatory frameworks. Let’s unpack the legal standards involved here.

General Rule: Reasonable Suspicion for Traffic Stops

Under the Fourth Amendment, police generally need reasonable suspicion to stop any vehicle, including a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). That suspicion must be based on specific, articulable facts that a traffic law has been or is being violated.

However, commercial drivers are subject to regulatory exceptions, particularly regarding safety inspections.

Texas Law and CMV Safety Inspections

In Texas, state troopers and certain authorized officers can stop and inspect commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) without reasonable suspicion under the administrative search exception to the Fourth Amendment. This authority is rooted in:

Texas Transportation Code § 644.103, which allows authorized officers to conduct random safety inspections.

49 C.F.R. Part 396, a federal regulation adopted by Texas, which sets out inspection requirements for CMVs.

This is not considered a "search" in the usual criminal sense because the trucking industry is pervasively regulated, and safety inspections are designed to promote highway safety, not to investigate criminal conduct.

Courts—including federal appellate courts—have upheld the constitutionality of random CMV safety inspections under the administrative search doctrine, provided they meet these criteria:

If you believe the stop was not genuinely for a safety inspection or was conducted in an abusive or harassing manner:

Document everything—time, location, officer’s name, what was said, and what was inspected.

Request the inspection report and check if the officer had proper authority.

So to sum it up: In Texas, yes, a police officer may stop a commercial motor vehicle without specific reasonable suspicion if the stop is part of a lawful safety inspection under an established regulatory program. However, these stops must still conform to certain legal safeguards to be constitutional. ... Read More

Q. Is obstruction of highway a crime of moral turpitude affecting immigration status?

May 28, 2025

A: Thank you for sharing those details—this is a sensitive area where immigration and criminal law intersect, so let me help you break it down carefully.

Understanding Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude (CIMTs)

In U.S. immigration law, a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) typically refers to conduct that is inherently base, vile, or depraved and contrary to the accepted rules of morality and duties owed between persons or to society in general. These crimes usually involve fraud, theft, intent to harm persons or things, or maliciousness.

A conviction or even a deferred adjudication for a CIMT can have serious immigration consequences, including:

Inadmissibility

Ineligibility for certain forms of relief

Deportability, depending on the timing and sentence

Obstruction of Highway: CIMT or Not?

In Texas, "Obstruction of a Highway or Other Passageway" (Penal Code § 42.03) is typically not considered a CIMT. This offense often involves non-violent, non-malicious behavior—such as blocking traffic or public ways—and lacks the fraudulent or harmful intent that usually characterizes a CIMT.

Federal immigration courts and the BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) have not typically classified this offense as a CIMT. However, every case is fact-specific, and nuances in the charge or the underlying behavior can matter.

Impact of Deferred Adjudication

Although your DWI was dismissed, and you received deferred adjudication for the obstruction charge, it’s important to know that USCIS and ICE may still consider the facts underlying the arrest and disposition.

Even if it's not a CIMT, USCIS officers reviewing applications for naturalization, green card renewals, or re-entry may consider:

The circumstances of the arrest

Your overall criminal history

Whether you show rehabilitation and good moral character

My Recommendations

Consult an immigration attorney with experience in criminal-immigration crossover issues—often called crimmigration.

Based on standard legal interpretations, obstruction of a highway in Texas is not usually a crime of moral turpitude. However, immigration decisions consider many factors beyond the label of the offense. ... Read More