Our attorneys enjoy developing a greater understanding of the more complex areas of criminal law. Because the Firm places a strong emphasis on pretrial motions and appellate practice, we are hired by other criminal defense lawyers to assist in defending federal criminal cases. Often times this consists of helping determine the guideline calculations and whether any downward departures are available. For civil lawyers practicing in the Western District of Texas who receive a federal criminal court appointment, we happily donate our time to help navigate the process. Many times we are hired as co-counsel if the lawyer wants a greater degree of our involvement.
As trial lawyers, we made the choice to practice in an area of law that affords us to be in the courtroom every day. The lawyers in the Firm have taken off entire months of their practice to attend the best trial training programs available, and we dedicate the time in-house to continue to hone our trial skills. Because we have handled hundreds of motions hearings, oral arguments, trials before the court and jury trials in state, federal and juvenile court, we have assisted civil lawyers in preparing matters for trial. Through the use of our focus groups, visual design and case development, we have developed a system of preparing cases for trial. As lawyers who represent people sometimes accused of crimes that jurors despise, we have to work twice as hard in keeping the jury focused upon the presumption of innocence until the client can be proven innocent. When we can achieve these results when so much is stacked against our clients, the same skills can translate to helping people facing similar uphill battles.