Why Choose a Board Certified Criminal Lawyer? [2022]

Board Certified Criminal Lawyers

There are more than 108,000 attorneys in Texas. Of that number, only 783 are Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists. That means less than 1 percent of the attorneys in Texas have achieved this designation. It is the highest designation an attorney practicing criminal law can reach. When you consider that this 1 percent is spread across the state — and some are judges and prosecutors — you will understand why we are proud to have four Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists at Varghese Summersett PLLC.

As the Texas Board of Legalization puts it, Board Certification “sets them apart as being attorneys with the highest public commitment to excellence.” To even sit for the Board Certification Exam, an attorney must have practiced in their specialty area for at least five years, with a significant portion of their time being spent on their specialty area. Our attorneys handle criminal law exclusively.

Why Are So Few Attorneys Board Certified?

Board Certification requires an extensive knowledge of the law as demonstrated through years of practice, numerous contested cases in the speciality area, and passing a strenuous written examination. To sit for the Board Certification Exam, a criminal lawyer must demonstrate substantial experience in misdemeanor criminal law, felony criminal law, federal criminal law, appellate and post-conviction criminal law.  If an attorney demonstrates such substantial experience, they may provide three professional references to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and request the opportunity to sit for the exam.  If approved to sit for the exam, the written test is six hours long and covers Texas criminal law, federal criminal law and ethics.  If the attorney passes the exam, they become a Board Certified Lawyer with the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Board Certified Criminal Lawyers at Varghese Summersett PLLC

Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett, Letty Martinez, Lisa Herrick, and Tanya Dohoney are all Board Certified in Criminal Law.  Benson Varghese is the founder and managing partner of the firm. Anna Summersett is also a partner at the firm and one of the youngest attorneys in Texas to ever become Board Certified in Criminal Law. Letty Martinez, who was at one time the Chief of the Crimes Against Children Unit at the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and formerly served as a federal prosecutor, is yet another partner at the firm who is Board Certified in Criminal Law. Lisa Herrick is Board Certified in Juvenile Law – a designation held by only 65 attorneys in the state. Tanya Dohoney is Of Counsel for Varghese Summersett and is a double certified attorney, a designation accomplished by very few other criminal law attorneys in Texas. She is certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appeals, making her a specialist in both areas.

What Everyone Looking For a Criminal Lawyer Should Ask:

1. How many cases have you tried to juries?
2. Are you Board Certified in Criminal Law?

Contact Us

Facing criminal charges? Call us at (817) 203-2220 or reach out online for a complimentary strategy session. Our team of former prosecutors and Board Certified Criminal Lawyers are here to help. During this call we will:

• Discuss the facts of your case;
• Discuss the legal issues involved, including the direct and collateral consequences of the allegation; and
• Discuss the defenses that apply to your plan and in general terms discuss our approach to your case.