
Joseph Tung has spent his career building a reputation as an accomplished attorney, trusted advisor, and leader. But one of the most important chapters of his life has nothing to do with the practice of law. It's a story of addiction, survival, recovery, and a commitment to helping others find their way forward.
This week on Counsel Brew, we're joined by Joseph, an entrepreneurial attorney whose career has taken him from the courtroom to in-house counsel at a global corporation, more than a decade in solo practice, and now a leadership role at Grable Martin. Along the way, he's built a reputation for providing practical, business-minded legal advice and helping entrepreneurs and businesses navigate complex challenges.
But Joseph’s journey has been anything but a straight line. In a remarkably candid conversation with us, he shares his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, a life-threatening overdose, a heart attack, and a suicide attempt in 2014 that ultimately became a turning point in his life.
With remarkable candor, humility, and a healthy dose of humor, Joseph opens up about the toll addiction can take on individuals and their families, the pressure to succeed in the legal profession, and why asking for help can be one of the hardest and most important things we ever do.
Now more than a decade into recovery, Joseph’s has made it part of his mission to support others facing addiction and mental health challenges, particularly within the legal profession. Through his involvement with the Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program and other recovery and advocacy organizations, he's helping create space for conversations that too often happen behind closed doors.
And because this is Counsel Brew, there's still plenty of humor along the way from a memorable moot court victory and his parents' priceless reaction to his success, to his unexpected love for Houston and a strong preference for Death Wish coffee with hazelnut creamer.
Joseph’s story reminds us that resilience isn't about having a perfect record. It's about what we learn, how we grow, and what we choose to do with the experiences that shape us.
This episode is a reminder that being a badass doesn't mean you've never fallen. Sometimes, it's what you choose to do after you get back up that matters most.
A note to our listeners
This episode includes candid discussions of alcohol and drug addiction, overdose, a heart attack, a suicide attempt, and the loss of friends and colleagues to addiction and suicide. Some listeners may find these topics difficult. Please listen with care.
If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available below.
Support and recovery resources
Immediate crisis support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org.
Substance use and treatment support
SAMHSA National Helpline — 1-800-662-4357
Treatment resources — https://findtreatment.gov
For legal professionals
Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program (TLAP) — 1-800-343-8527
Additional organizations
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — https://afsp.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — https://www.nami.org
If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
About Joseph Tung
Joseph Tung is an accomplished attorney, business advisor, and leader with extensive experience in corporate law, litigation, and strategic business counseling. He currently serves as Office Director at Grable Martin in Houston and Chairman of Silver Fox Advisors. His career includes roles at prominent law firms, in-house counsel at Schlumberger, and more than a decade in solo practice advising businesses and entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries.
A graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law and the University of Texas at Austin, Joseph is also a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and addiction recovery, particularly within the legal profession. Drawing on his own experiences, he actively supports organizations and initiatives dedicated to helping lawyers navigate personal challenges and find paths to recovery.
Listen now.
Find Joseph at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-tung-a377223/
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Explicit Rating is for the occasional use of colorful language.
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