Best Law Firms in Texas for Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC is a leading law firm with Jimmy Ardoin III recognized by Best Lawyers in 2 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2018. Having a lawyer recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers' credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC has on their team. Jimmy Ardoin III has been recognized in the following practice areas: Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 2 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Jimmy Ardoin & Associates PLLC has 2 rankings in 2 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

DEPENDABLE DEFENSE

Based in Fort Worth, Kearney Law Firm is recognized as a well-regarded criminal defense firm in Texas, serving clients across the state and nation. Our history dates back more than 35 years when founder Jeff Kearney established his own criminal defense firm.

The foundation of our firm rests on principles of hard work, meticulous attention to detail, and a dedicated commitment to pursuing a positive outcome for each case. We have represented high-profile clients facing a variety of state and federal charges, such as white collar crimes and sex crimes. Our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys bring decades of experience in criminal trials with a strong record of success.

Sam H. Lock is a San Antonio criminal defense attorney with more than 25 years of experience representing clients in state and federal cases throughout Texas. Since opening the Law Offices of Sam H. Lock in 2000, he has handled matters ranging from traffic violations and misdemeanors to DWI charges, drug crimes, white-collar offenses, sex crimes, weapons charges, homicide cases, human and alien smuggling allegations, internet crimes, asset forfeiture proceedings, and complex federal prosecutions. He is known for providing hands-on, personalized representation and developing defense strategies tailored to the facts, evidence, and potential consequences of each case.

Mr. Lock earned his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law. He has served on the boards of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and frequently lectures at continuing legal education seminars. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and DUI/DWI Defense, and was named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in San Antonio for DUI/DWI Defense in 2020 and Criminal Defense: White-Collar in 2022 and 2026.

Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey PC is a leading law firm with 3 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 1983. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey PC has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: Criminal Defense: General Practice, Family Law and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey PC is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 3 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Minton, Bassett, Flores & Carsey PC has 3 rankings in 3 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

Based in Houston, Texas, the Neal Davis Law Firm handles all types of criminal cases across Harris County and statewide. Neal Davis founded the firm after more than a decade of working with legendary criminal defense lawyer Dick DeGuerin.

For nearly 20 years, he has fought for clients from all walks of life in state and federal courts - including the U.S. Supreme Court.

While Neal has earned a reputation for success in the courtroom, including in several high-profile cases, he has often successfully resolved matters without publicity. His superior qualifications, client service and record of success have consistently placed him among the top lawyers in America.

• Nearly two decades of experience of defending criminal cases
  
• Certified, Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  
• Named a Best Lawyer in America (2015-2019)
  
• Named a Texas Super Lawyer (2011-2019)
  
• AV Rated (highest rating) by Martindale Hubbell (2015)
  
• Popular speaker and author on criminal law topics
  
• Native of Texas and fluent in Spanish

R. Todd Bennett PC is a Houston-based law firm focused on criminal defense for individuals facing serious allegations. The firm represents clients across Texas in matters involving general criminal defense and white-collar charges. With a practical and measured approach, the office works with clients from the earliest stages of an investigation through trial and resolution, offering clear guidance during high-stakes situations.

The firm’s work includes defense against a wide range of state and federal criminal accusations, including fraud-related offenses and complex financial cases. R. Todd Bennett PC is known for careful case preparation and direct communication, helping clients understand their options and the potential consequences at each step. The firm’s practice is built around attention to detail and a steady presence when outcomes can affect personal freedom, careers and reputations.

Since 2008, an attorney at R. Todd Bennett PC has been recognized by Best Lawyers, a distinction based entirely on peer review within the legal community. The firm has also been included in Best Law Firms rankings for Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. These recognitions reflect consistent professional regard within the Houston legal market and beyond.

R. Todd Bennett PC serves clients who value straightforward advice and thoughtful representation. From initial consultation to case conclusion, the firm emphasizes preparation, discretion and responsiveness. Its Houston location allows the firm to remain closely connected to local courts while handling matters that extend throughout the region.

We are trial lawyers. In civil and criminal legal circles across the nation, we’ve built a solid reputation for establishing rapport with juries and obtaining favorable results for our clients.

We are a diverse legal team with years of courtroom experience, both state and federal. We are experienced in the preparation and presentation of a wide variety of cases, and we handle all appeals. We’re also a law firm with a distinct personality. We keep a positive, upbeat, and relaxed perspective, while remaining passionate about the law and driven to explore every angle of a legal position. We truly love what we do, so going the extra mile for our clients comes naturally.  

We believe there is no issue too complicated for a jury to understand. We often take a complex case or concept and transform it in a way that jurors can relate to — presenting all the relevant facts and evidence while keeping the jurors’ interest and attention. This philosophy is important for two reasons. First, juries sense that we believe in and trust them, and our ability to communicate with them increases the likelihood of success for our clients. Just as importantly, our opponents’ recognition of our successful record with juries greatly enhances the settlement potential of a case in a way that frequently makes a trial unnecessary and creates a more satisfying solution for our clients.  

Our practice is unusual in that it is both a civil and criminal practice. It is, however, based on our ability to create a positive connection with jurors whether they are hearing a civil or criminal case. Although our practice has increasingly been devoted to civil cases, we have steadfastly continued to represent people in criminal cases because we believe in and enjoy the work. For the last several years, our practice has been comprised of approximately 80 percent civil litigation and 20 percent criminal defense representation. We love the variety and believe that the eclectic nature of our trial practice actually reinforces our ability to be of help to a broad cross-section of individuals and companies.  

Practice Areas:

• Appellate
• Commercial Litigation
• Personal Injury Claims
• Criminal Matters
• Cases Involving Public Figures
• Investigations

Whalen Law Office is a leading law firm with 3 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2022. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Whalen Law Office has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: DUI / DWI Defense, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar.

Whalen Law Office is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 1 practice area. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Whalen Law Office has 1 ranking in 1 practice. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.

Wynne Smith & Young PLLC is a leading law firm with 2 lawyers recognized by Best Lawyers across 3 practice areas. The firm's tenure with Best Lawyers began in 2025. Having lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers' purely peer review process emphasizes the lawyers credibility and reputation for their practice amongst their peers in their practice area and region. It displays professional validation of the legal talent that Wynne Smith & Young PLLC has on their team. The firm has lawyers recognized in practice areas including: Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: General Practice.

Wynne Smith & Young PLLC is also ranked by Best Law Firms in 2 practice areas. The Best Law Firms rankings are founded on a time-tested and transparent research process that has remained consistent since Best Lawyers launched it in 2010. Wynne Smith & Young PLLC has 2 rankings in 2 practices. Echoing their Best Lawyers awards and team of top legal talent.