Best Lawyers in Texas, United States for Criminal Defense: General Practice
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Cities
Neal A. Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Neal A., who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neal A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carmen Roe, a criminal defense attorney, understands the significant responsibility of being the only person who stands between her clients and their liberty. She is a fierce advocate who approaches every case with knowledge, preparation, and relentless determination. Carmen Roe Law Firm in Houston is always available online, in person or over the phone.
James O. Darnell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James O., who practices law in El Paso, Texas, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stephen Toland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Stephen, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
R. Todd Bennett is a criminal defense attorney based in Houston, Texas and the founder of R. Todd Bennett PC. His practice focuses on general criminal defense and white-collar matters, representing individuals facing serious allegations in state and federal courts . He brings a steady and measured approach to cases that often carry high stakes for clients and their families. Mr. Bennett’s work centers on defending clients accused of complex financial crimes, fraud allegations and other ...
Perry Minton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Family Law. Perry, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Perry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Heather Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Heather, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Cynthia Eva Hujar Orr has attained national prominence defending citizens and entities in state and federal trial and appellate courts. She has earned the profound respect of her colleagues who elected her to Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Criminal Justice Section in 2014.Cynthia served as President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 2009-2010, President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association in 2003, and became the first President of the San ...
Mark Hochglaube is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mark, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Gerald “Gerry” Harris Goldstein is a nationally known and respected defense lawyer and Past President of both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.He is a fellow in the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He has served as an adjunct professor of law at University of Texas School of Law in Austin and at St. Mary’s University Scho...
Kevin L. Collins is a San Antonio, Texas criminal defense attorney with more than twenty-five years of legal experience. As the founder of Kevin L. Collins PC , his practice is dedicated to defending individuals and families facing serious criminal allegations in both state and federal courts. His recognized practice areas include Criminal Defense: General Practice and Juvenile Practice . Before entering private practice, Mr. Collins served as a federal law clerk and later worked as a state p...
Jimmy Ardoin is an attorney with Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC in Bellaire, Texas. His practice focuses on Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar matters. He represents individuals and businesses facing a wide range of criminal allegations, providing careful legal analysis and strategic defense at every stage of the process. Jimmy has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for his work in Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Co...
Charley Davidson leads the firm’s criminal defense practice, where he offers passionate, responsive counsel to guide clients facing state and federal charges in the areas of white collar and blue collar crime. Prior to joining Hanszen Laporte, he was a partner at a large international firm specializing in white collar defense, as well as a partner at a Houston-based criminal defense law firm. Charley also spent three years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Offic...
Alex Thornton is a senior associate at Varghese Summersett, where her primary focus is on state criminal defense matters in Tarrant County and the surrounding areas. She represents individuals charged in state court with misdemeanors and felonies, including intoxication offenses, drug charges, and crimes against people. Alex has been named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2021. She has also been named a Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and 360 West magazine.
Grace Tucker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Grace, who practices law in Frisco, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Grace is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ryne Sandel graduated from Texas A&M University with a Major in Psychology and Minors in Philosophy and Sociology. He attended law school at Texas A&M University School of Law (formerly Texas Wesleyan School of Law) in Fort Worth. Ryne was on the Dean’s List, served as a teaching assistant, and graduated number 4 in his graduating class. As an advocate, Ryne Sandel will fight for his clients. Ryne prides himself on his ability to stand toe to toe with anyone in the courthouse. C...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.