We work relentlessly around the clock to ensure that you receive everything you are entitled to, and after five years of victory we proudly remain on the front lines of the legal services industry. As your partners we understand that legal entanglements are stressful and nerve-racking. It is our pride and promise that we will be by your side every step of the way.
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ABOUT TESS HOUSE LAW, PLLC
A Team Dedicated Solely to You
Artessia House
Attorney & Founder
Attorney Artessia “Tess” House manages Tess House Law, PLLC in San Antonio, Texas. Tess House Law, PLLC’s mission is to speak for those unable to speak from themselves. The firm represents victims in federal civil rights cases. On the local level, the firm represents children and parents in suits filed by the government and private family law matters.
Born the eldest of four children in San Antonio, Texas, Attorney House earned a B.A. in Political Science from St. Mary’s University. Ms. House went on to earn a Texas Educator Certificate after fulfilling the requirements of the state of Texas and regulations of the State Board for Educator Certification. She later earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law.
During her undergraduate and post-undergraduate years, Ms. House served on the National Executive Board for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. as the Southwest Regional Representative and managed chapters in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Jamaica.
Ms. House started her professional career as a school teacher for San Antonio Independent School District. As a teacher, she established and maintained excellent working relationships with parents and students through consistent demonstration of professionalism, preparedness, and work ethic. She also demonstrated sound knowledge of state rules and procedures.
While serving the community as a teacher, Ms. House decided to fulfill her dream of becoming an attorney. Ms. House attended St. Mary’s University School of Law where she served as Symposium Editor for The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice. As an editor, Ms. House organized one of the publication’s largest Immigration Law CLE events which provided information on the Defense of Marriage Act and sentencing advocacy for immigrants in federal court.
Ms. House also served as a legal intern in the Staff Attorney’s Office for the Bexar County Civil District. Additionally, Ms. House gained a sound knowledge of the Federal Torts Claims Act by interning for the Office of General Counsel for the United States Department of Veteran Affairs and was featured in Who’s Who in San Antonio. She was also featured in Raising the Bar, the national newsletter for the Office of General Counsel.
Attorney House is a proud alum of Leadership State Bar of Texas and has served on the State Bar of Texas Child Abuse and Neglect Committee. She is an active member of the African American Lawyers Section where she serves as the San Antonio liaison and membership chair.
Lauren Effiom
Associate Attorney
Lauren is a Dallas-born native who desires to help all families in need. She prides herself on not only being a zealous advocate for her clients but providing each of them with the compassion and counseling they need to overcome the most difficult situations. She obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University Of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2017, and her Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2020.
Post-graduation from St. Mary’s, Lauren obtained her license to practice law in the State of Texas in December 2020. Prior to transitioning to an associate of Tess House Law, Lauren worked at San Antonio Legal Services Association (SALSA), a non-profit organization that seeks to help those who cannot afford to advocate for themselves.
During her time there, she helped clients appeal their denial of benefits from FEMA after Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, fight wrongful evictions, applies for rent relief and housing vouchers, obtains protective orders, obtain Wills, and navigate the Pro Se divorce process in Bexar County. Lauren chose to leave her non-profit work at SALSA to pursue her true passion, family law.
She is ecstatic to be a part of Tess House Law, and continue her legal practice under the mentorship of Artessia “Tess” House, a fierce advocate who has established herself as a force to be reckoned with not only in San Antonio but the Nation.
Lauren wants all her clients to know that she has their back and that she will not stop until she has resolved their legal issues and left them in a better place than before!
Lauren is a proud member of the San Antonio Black Lawyers Association and has continued to impact her community by working with youth and young adults, providing them with education, mentorship, and counsel.
Our Team
The integrity of our firm is manifested in the success of our clients.
We’ve assembled an elite team boasting degrees from praiseworthy schools.
Alma is a native of San Antonio, Texas. She started her Paralegal career in 1994 working with an international corporate law firm. Throughout the years, she gained experience in civil litigation working in both personal injury and defense litigation. However, she always wanted to work in family law due to her desire to help people that were going through the most difficult times in their life.
Twenty years ago, she began her journey in family law and has had great mentors throughout the years. Since working for Ms. House, she has learned even more as it pertains to CPS cases. Ms. House has taught her a lot and continues to teach her on a daily basis. In 2021 she was nominated the Top Paralegal in Scene in S.A.
Raquel is a paralegal for Tess House Law, PLLC. She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis in Professional Writing. She later went back to UTSA to complete the Paralegal Studies Certification course.
Growing up, Raquel was surrounded by family law cases in her community ranging from divorces, custody, CPS, and adoptions. Seeing people around her going through these difficult times sparked a desire within her to pursue a career in law. Her natural ability to stay focused, organized and on-time helps the attorneys she works for stay on top of cases. Raquel’s can-do attitude and hustle are a great asset to the team, and she will do whatever it takes to get you to your end goal.
