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2026 DFW Criminal Defense Rankings

DFW Criminal Defense Rankings

Who the right attorney is for your case is ultimately subjective — and DFW is genuinely unique in having some of the most capable criminal defense lawyers in the nation. What we've done here is look at objective factors to identify which firms and attorneys are distinctly capable in specific segments of criminal defense. Use the filters below to find who is best positioned for your situation.

Board Certifications Verified Capability-Based Segments DFW Metroplex Coverage

10 Ranked Criminal Defense Firms

★ Most Board-Certified Criminal Defense Attorneys in DFW
#1

Varghese Summersett PLLC

Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake
5 Board Certified Attorneys
Strongest For: Clients who want the deepest bench of board-certified talent for any state criminal charge
General Criminal DefenseTrial DefenseDWI & DUICapital MurderSex CrimesDrug CrimesJuvenile DefenseDomestic ViolenceViolent Offenses

Varghese Summersett is the premier criminal defense firm in the DFW Metroplex, distinguished by having the largest team of board-certified criminal law specialists in the region. Their criminal defense division is staffed entirely by former prosecutors who collectively have tried more than 700 cases before state and federal juries. The firm serves clients across Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Parker, Wise, Johnson, and Ellis counties.

Why They Stand Out

  • 5 Board Certified criminal law specialists — more than any other DFW firm
  • All senior attorneys are former prosecutors
  • 700+ jury trials collectively tried
  • Offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston
  • Handles everything from DWI to capital murder
5 Board Certified specialists in Criminal Law & Juvenile Law — the highest designation in Texas
Best Lawyers in America · Super Lawyers · Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
(817) 203-2220Visit Website
#2

Broden & Mickelsen, LLP

Dallas
2 Board Certified Attorneys
Strongest For: High-stakes criminal trials, criminal appeals at every court level, and post-conviction relief
Trial DefenseCriminal AppealsWhite-Collar CrimeDrug CrimesSex CrimesCapital MurderGeneral Criminal Defense
#3

Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers

Fort Worth
Strongest For: Clients in Fort Worth and Tarrant County facing serious state criminal charges who need strong trial and appellate representation
General Criminal DefenseTrial DefenseCriminal AppealsDrug CrimesDomestic ViolenceSex CrimesViolent Offenses
#4

Sorrels Ola

Dallas
1 Board Certified Attorney
Strongest For: High-profile and complex criminal cases requiring an elite trial lawyer with decades of proven results
Trial DefenseGeneral Criminal DefenseWhite-Collar CrimeCapital MurderViolent OffensesSex Crimes
#5

Udashen Anton

Dallas
1 Board Certified Attorney
Strongest For: Criminal appeals, post-conviction relief, wrongful conviction cases, and habeas corpus proceedings
Criminal AppealsWrongful ConvictionTrial DefenseGeneral Criminal DefenseWhite-Collar Crime
#6

The Cohen Law Firm

Dallas-Fort Worth (Statewide)
Strongest For: Anyone seeking parole, facing parole revocation, or needing representation before the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Parole
#7

Lapin Law Group

Dallas (Statewide)
Strongest For: Clients needing gun rights restoration, FFL issues, LTC matters, or 2A civil rights representation
2A & Firearms
#8

Fitzpatrick Jacks Smith & Uhl

Dallas
1 Board Certified Attorney
Strongest For: Clients in Dallas County seeking experienced former prosecutors with a proven track record across all serious criminal charges
General Criminal DefenseTrial DefenseWhite-Collar CrimeDWI & DUIDrug CrimesViolent OffensesSex CrimesCapital Murder
#9

Sparks Law Firm

Fort Worth
Strongest For: Clients facing firearms charges, gun rights issues, DWI, or self-defense cases in Tarrant County
2A & FirearmsDWI & DUICriminal AppealsGeneral Criminal DefenseViolent Offenses
#10

Burleson, Pate & Gibson, LLP

Dallas
Strongest For: Clients in Dallas County facing serious felony charges, DWI, or white-collar investigations
General Criminal DefenseWhite-Collar CrimeDWI & DUIDrug CrimesViolent Offenses

Segment Guide

Who Should You Call?

The right attorney depends entirely on the nature of your case. DFW has genuinely exceptional talent across multiple segments. Use this guide to identify which firms are distinctly capable in your situation.

General Criminal Defense & Trial

Facing any serious state criminal charge — from DWI and drug offenses to complex, high-profile trials

Look at

1Varghese Summersett
2Broden & Mickelsen
4Sorrels Ola
8FJSU

Varghese Summersett: 5 board-certified specialists, the largest team in DFW. Broden, Sorrels Ola, and FJSU each bring hundreds of jury trials and board certifications for high-profile cases.

Criminal Appeals

Convicted and seeking to appeal, or need post-conviction / wrongful conviction relief

Look at

5Udashen Anton
2Broden & Mickelsen

Udashen Anton: 30+ exonerations. Broden & Mickelsen: dual board-certified in criminal and appellate law

Parole Representation

Seeking parole, facing revocation, or need Texas Board of Pardons representation

Look at

6The Cohen Law Firm

100% parole-focused practice — the most specialized parole representation in Texas

2A & Firearms Rights

Facing gun charges, need rights restoration, FFL licensing, or LTC issues

Look at

7Lapin Law Group
9Sparks Law Firm

Lapin: civil and regulatory firearms matters. Sparks: criminal firearms charges and self-defense

DWI Defense

Charged with DWI, DUI, or an intoxication-related offense

Look at

1Varghese Summersett
8FJSU

Both are former prosecutors with strong DWI track records across DFW courts