In the rugged heart of Texas during the late 1880s, a man named Samuel Maverick stood apart from his peers—not for his cowboy skills, but for how little he cared for them. A wealthy lawyer, land baron, and real estate investor, Maverick had no real interest in the cattle business. But fate—or perhaps folly—had other plans.
To settle a $1,200 debt, Maverick accepted an unusual payment: 400 head of cattle. Unimpressed and uninterested, he became a rancher by accident, not ambition. Unlike his neighbors, who diligently branded their livestock to mark ownership, Maverick saw the whole ritual as unnecessary. He let the cattle roam his land unbranded and untamed, a herd as independent as the man who owned them.
For years, Maverick’s unbranded cattle roamed freely across the Texas plains, blending into the wild herds and slipping through the hands of more vigilant ranchers. It wasn’t long before Maverick realized that nearly a third of his herd had vanished, likely absorbed into neighboring ranches by those who saw unbranded cattle as fair game. With little appetite for the wrangling and politics of ranch life, he decided to cut his losses.
He sold off what remained of the herd to a nearby rancher, but with a catch: the buyer would be responsible for rounding up the strays still scattered across the countryside. To do so, the new owner hired cowhands who began tracking and claiming the unbranded cattle. When they found one, they’d simply say, “That’s a Maverick.”
The name stuck. Over time, “Maverick” came to describe not just unbranded cattle, but people who refused to be fenced in by convention—those who walked their own path, lived by their own rules, and left their mark by refusing to be typical.
Though his foray into ranching was reluctant and unconventional, Samuel Maverick’s influence stretched far beyond the open range. He went on to become one of the most prominent land barons in Texas, amassing vast holdings and leaving an indelible mark on the state’s landscape—so much so that an entire county bears his name: Maverick County.
But Maverick’s legacy wasn’t just measured in acres. A fierce advocate for Texas independence, he served in the Texas militia and stood among the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836. His commitment to shaping the young republic led him into political life, where he held various public offices and continued to challenge the norms of the time with his independent thinking.
In many ways, Maverick lived the very metaphor he unintentionally sparked. Just as his unbranded cattle defied ownership and expectation, Samuel Maverick carved out a life defined by autonomy, bold decisions, and a refusal to follow the herd. Today, the word “maverick” stands as both his namesake and his legacy—an enduring symbol of those who blaze their own trails.
The Maverick Legacy Lives On
Monaco Cooper Lamme & Carr, PLLC was born from the vision of four trailblazing attorneys who walked away from towering glass offices, corporate prestige, and the trappings of “big law.” In their place, they chose simple furnishings, flexible schedules, and a steadfast commitment to their families, their clients, and their communities. They built a firm rooted in authenticity, integrity, and exceptional legal counsel—delivered without pretense.
As the years passed, MCLC grew stronger, even through the seismic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, true to their independent spirit, they once again defied convention and launched Maverick Title Services, LLC—a bold step forward in a real estate field ripe for change and expansion.
At Maverick Title, we do more than close transactions—we uncover histories. We search beyond the surface, combing through generations of deeds, covenants, and contracts to ensure that every client’s property is truly theirs, free and clear. From bustling cities to rural towns, we conduct title work across New York State with diligence, clarity, and heart. People are the soul of everything we do. We serve our clients with the same care we bring to honoring the legacy of those who came before – – including our namesake, Samuel Maverick.
Brand your property. Protect your purchase. Insure your title.
Be a Maverick.
