How a Home Care Lawyer Found His Calling
In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, the spotlight shifts to co-host Troy Brooks, who shares the winding journey that led him from law school uncertainty to becoming one of Texas’s most trusted home care attorneys. For anyone in the home care and hospice industry, Troy’s story is a reminder that purpose is often discovered, not planned.
From Law School to Louisiana Courtrooms
Like many young graduates, Troy didn’t enter law school with a fixed career path. “Most of us didn’t have it all figured out,” he recalls. After earning his law degree, he clerked for a trial court judge in Louisiana, gaining valuable courtroom experience. But when the term ended, Troy faced a crossroads: stay in Louisiana, return to Florida, or try something new.
The decision? Texas. Drawn by opportunity, Troy moved to Austin in 1999. His first role wasn’t glamorous—he worked as a law librarian at the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS). But soon, he transitioned into compliance and regulatory work, supporting long-term care facilities, Medicaid contracting, and state enforcement.
Finding a Community in Home Care
While working at DHS, Troy built relationships with nurses and administrators in long-term care. These connections reshaped his career. “The nurses were practical, down-to-earth, and easy to work with,” he says. That practicality, and the trust it fostered, helped him see home care as more than just another regulatory field.
By 2004, Troy had shifted into private practice, representing providers instead of the state. This pivot opened the door to home care, hospice, and long-term care law. He quickly noticed something unusual: very few attorneys specialized in home health and hospice compliance in Texas. That gap gave him the chance to build a niche practice that still thrives today.
Lessons from Both Sides of the Table
Having worked inside the state system and later as a private attorney, Troy brings a rare perspective. He understands how regulators think—because he was one. That insight helps him guide providers through audits, compliance issues, and investigations with empathy and precision.
He recalls cases where strong compliance saved providers hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential Medicaid penalties. “Working with people who genuinely want to do the right thing makes my job rewarding,” Troy explains.
The Role of TAG and Industry Connections
Troy credits much of his success to his involvement with the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice (TAHC&H, or “TAG” as he calls it). Through TAG, he met providers dedicated to ethical care, many of whom became lifelong colleagues and clients. “Without TAG, my practice wouldn’t be what it is today,” he admits.
For Troy, these relationships aren’t just professional—they’re personal. Many of his clients have been with him for decades, and he still marvels at the integrity and resilience of the home care community.
Why Home Care Still Matters
Even after more than 20 years in practice, Troy isn’t looking for an exit. Home care law continues to challenge him, but more importantly, it connects him with people he genuinely respects. “I don’t know why, but I’ve always connected with folks in home care,” he reflects. “It just works for me, and it works for them”.
This episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A isn’t just about Troy’s biography, it’s about the power of connection in shaping a career. For home care providers, aspiring agency owners, or healthcare professionals curious about compliance, Troy’s story offers both reassurance and inspiration.
