D Magazine: The best criminal defense lawyers in Dallas are 19 white guys...Really?

In 2009 a letter arrived in the mail.  It was from D Magazine.  I almost tossed it thinking it was junk mail.  The letter was to inform me that I had been "chosen" by my peers as one of the Best Women Lawyers in Dallas for 2010.  I remember thinking - when did this happen?  I don't remember a vote of any sort.  Why "women" lawyers - are we like the 2nd string?

A little background:  I've been a member of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association since 1996.  Since 2007 I've served on the Board of Directors and handled all membership matters for what is rumored to be the oldest criminal defense bar association in the United States.  I could not recall anyone from D Magazine contacting our organization or seeking any input from the criminal bar.  Who were these "peers" that nominated me?

Seemed like a really nice honor.  Of course, I didn't realize at the time that it was going to cost an arm and leg to have my profile printed in their special issue.  $3500 later I had a profile.  I remember there were at least 4 female criminal defense lawyers on this list including me.  

Total amount of actual business this $3500 generated for my law office - $0

A few months later another letter arrived.  This time D Magazine was printing a Best of the Best issue and wanted to include me for a mere $2500 more.  Yes, I wrote them another check.  Sucker.  

Total amount of actual business this $2500 generated for my law office - $0

Another year, another letter.  This letter was to inform me that I had been named by my peers to the Best Lawyers in Dallas 2011 list.  What peers?  Who voted for this?  Certainly not the criminal bar.  I can't remember how much this cost me.  I think it was more than $3500.  

Total amount of actual business this $3500+ generated for my law office - $0

But, hey, at least I had graduated from the "women lawyers" list to the "lawyer" list.  Wow.  I guess that's like moving from the kiddie table into the dining room, right?

Alas, no more letters from D Magazine, which was ironic since that same year I was named a Super Lawyer and made the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (and even the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers!).  

I'm sure they published a list for 2012 but I don't remember seeing it.  Earlier this week I opened D Magazine and glanced through their chosen lawyers for 2013.  I was once again struck by their headline - "The Top Attorneys in Dallas as Chosen by Their Peers".

Hmmmm...there was something a bit odd about the criminal defense lawyers they claim "we" chose - they are all white guys.  19 of them.  No women.  No lawyers of color.  19 white guys.

Huh.

Isn't that something?  

As I looked at the names, I saw many that I would have personally voted onto that list.  I saw others that made my jaw drop.  

Does D Magazine HAVE A CLUE what the gender and ethnic makeup of the Dallas criminal bar is?  I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad.  

To the best of my knowledge, no one from D Magazine has ever contacted the criminal bar about this selection process.  There are 346 members of DCDLA.  There is also a Dallas Black Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.  I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that they were never contacted, either.  In fact, I would hazard a guess that the editors of D Magazine don't even know they exist.  

Apparently some lawyers - I don't know who they are and neither does anyone else I know - allegedly vote for people and then a panel of lawyers (Who?) decide who actually makes the list.

Who is on this panel?  The presidents of DCDLA (a woman, by the way) or DBCDLA?  Nope. 

I've decided to try a little experiment.  I do not believe that the criminal defense bar would pick a list of 19 white guys as the best of the best.  It's ludicrous.  

But maybe I'm wrong.  We'll soon know.  

Nominations opened yesterday for all criminal lawyers who practice in Dallas to name the top lawyers in various categories of criminal defense practice.  We close nominations on 5/15.  From 5/16-5/31, we will hold an online vote which will actually result in a peer nominated, peer chosen list of the TOP CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS IN DALLAS.

I'll be sure and notify D Magazine.  It will likely come as a huge shock to know that there are actually women lawyers and lawyers of color who kick some serious ass in Dallas courtrooms and are held in high esteem by their peers.  

Or maybe we'll pick 19 white guys.  

Stay tuned.

Women of NCDD: Ava George Stewart (Illinois)

Ava George Stewart is a rising rock star in the world of DUI defense.  Her practice is located in Chicago and she currently serves as the Illinois State Delegate for NCDD.  I have heard nothing but praise regarding Ava so if you're charged with a DUI in or around Chicago, you should give her a call.  

From her website:

Professional Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association, Assembly Member
• Illinois State Bar Association’s Traffic Laws and Court Section
• National College for DUI Defense, State Delegate
• Founding Member, Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association
• Former board member, Minority Legal Education Resources

Education

• BA, Northwestern University
• MSC, Northwestern University
• JD, University of Illinois

 

Publications/Presentations

• Panelist, “Immigration Consequences in Traffic Law,” Illinois State Bar Association; March 2006
• Panelist, “Statutory Summary Suspensions, Commercial Driver’s License Issues,” Illinois State Bar Association; October 2006
• Panelist, “Questions and Answers with Experts on Traffic Matters,” Illinois State Bar Association; March 2007
• Panelist, “Nuts and Bolts for the Young Lawyer: Basic Traffic Law and Other Issues Facing the Young Lawyer,” Illinois State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Committee; April 2007
• Panelist, “The Study of Illinois DUI & Traffic Related Issues; Sentencing Issues of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code; DUI/Statutory Summary Suspension, Zero Tolerance, Alcohol; Potpourri Traffic Related Issues,” Illinois State Bar Association, Civil Practice & Procedures and Traffic Laws & Courts Sections; May 2007
• Speaker, “DUI Issues: General and Specific,” CAN TV-21, Chicago; originally aired January 2007
• Featured in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; 2007
• DUI, Statutory Summary Suspension, Zero Tolerance Nuts & Bolts Panel Discussion at theTraffic Laws: Issues, Updates and Hot Topics – 2008
  Presented by the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts Section

A DUI arrest and conviction in Chicago and surrounding Cook County willmean that you face life-altering consequences, including serious penalties such as jail time, loss of driving privileges, large fines, expensive alcohol awareness classes, and burdensome community service. A DUI conviction may also lead to increased insurance costs, significant employment difficulties, the possibility of lost income, and other financial penalties and restrictions, as well as considerable personal embarrassment.

If you are serious about defending your freedom, protecting your driving privileges, and reducing the negative financial impacts of your DUI arrest, you need a skilled, experienced and responsive DUI lawyer. If the proper paperwork is not immediately filed on your behalf, you will automatically lose your license 46 days after your DUI arrest. Immediate action is required for both felony DUI and misdemeanor charges.

When you retain the Law Office of Ava George Stewart, your case will be personally handled by Ava, a former prosecutor, and the Illinois State Delegate for The National College of DUI Defense. Ava will aggressively investigate all the legal, technical, biological, and social aspects (and more) of your arrest. From correct police procedure and probable cause, to racial profiling; from Intoxilyzer to interrogation; every aspect of your felony or misdemeanor DUI case will be rigorously examined and reviewed in order to prepare the strongest legal defense to both the criminal and civil charges you face.

 

With Ava standing next to you at the bench, fighting to defend your privileges, freedom, and finances, you'll see first-hand the considerable respect she has earned among Cook County judges and prosecutors. You’ll be kept informed about the status of your case, and will always know what to expect, every step along the way; you'll be provided with easy-to-follow written instructions for your specific case. Ava will never hand off your case to 'substitute' attorneys who know nothing about you, and are ignorant about the details of your case. You'll also receive an explanation about how the charges may continue to affect you, even after your case is closed.

The Women of AACDL

One of the great things about traveling around the country teaching at seminars is the opportunity to meet wonderful new people.  


As readers of this blog know, I am constantly seeking out talented women lawyers to spotlight.  Having spent so many years as an observer and a victim of the outrageous sex discrimination that is a part of the culture of the National College for DUI Defense, it is particularly rewarding to discover new female trial warriors in every city that I visit.  


This weekend I had the honor to present at the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer's Betting on Justice Seminar.  There were over 100 attorneys in attendance and the speaker lineup was outstanding.  Attorneys had flown in from as far away as San Francisco and Miami.  I learned quite a bit about police interrogation tactics and DNA.


I was particularly pleased to see three female lawyers on the faculty for this seminar, as well as the largest female audience I've ever encountered.  I've often asked the question, "Where are the women?".  Well, apparently, a great many of them are practicing criminal defense in Arkansas!


Kudos to AACDL for an outstanding learning experience!  Y'all did a great job. 


I want to give a special shout out to attorneys Shannon Blatt (Arkansas), Brandi Collins (Arkansas) and Lisa Kirsch Satawa (Michigan).  You are a credit to our profession and it was wonderful to meet you.

Women of NCDD: Mimi Coffey (Dallas/Ft. Worth)

I first met Mimi Coffey in 2004. She was a rising star in DUI defense out of Ft. Worth and I was very impressed with both her knowledge and her tenacity. 

I was transitioning from a felony trial practice to DWI defense and looked to Mimi for inspiration.  She forged the science path that I later followed. 

Though our styles and personalities are very different, I have always thought of us as kindred spirits.  We both believe in justice and the greatness of the Constitution.  Mimi doesn’t just talk about being a Constitutional Warrior, she walks the walk.

 From her website:

Mimi Coffey is a trial attorney with 17 years experience.  She is the founder of The Coffey Firm, with law offices in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties.  She is board-certified in DWI by the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD) and has been the Texas delegate for the NCDD for several years.

She has also appeared numerous times as a legal commentator for CNN, National Fox News, as well as local Dallas/Fort Worth stations on DWI-related stories.  She is also a frequent speaker at both national and state-wide seminars.

She is a prolific trial attorney with a proven trial record.  She has tried over 300 cases, with 80% of them being jury trials in her 17-year career.  Her success include everything from .21 breath tests, blood tests  to 3 car accident cases just  to name a few. Mimi’s cases have also made good case law for the State of Texas.  For example, in Tarvin v. State, it was found that weaving within your own lane was not a traffic violation. In Lajoie v. State, the courts determined that the defendant’s request to have his attorney must be suppressed as opposed to used as evidence of guilt.

She is the author of Texas DWI Defense:  The Law and Practice.  She is also the author of three nationally-published articles and four state-wide articles.

Mimi has twice attended Indiana University’s Borkenstein Course for state toxicologists both on alcohol and drugs.  She has also completed the NHTSA SFST Course, SFST Instructor Course and the 12-Step DRE Mini-Course Program.  She is also one of the first attorneys in the United States to attend the Axion Labs Gas Chromatography Training. Her minor in college was Geology lending her a comprehensive and disciplined scientific mind when it comes to scientific and mathematical issues such as blood and breath testing.

Mimi has won the President’s Heart of a Champion Award presented by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) numerous times.

Mimi also led the effort to get the State Bar of Texas’ Board of Legal Specialization to recognize the NCDD’s DWI Certification.

Mimi has been active over the past 4 legislative sessions in fighting against bad DWI laws.  Her efforts prevented the breath/blood test refusal as being a separate crime.  She has advocated for true deferred adjudication for DWI.

Mimi also sued a Dalworthington Gardens police officer for illegally drawing blood.  Since her lawsuit, the 2nd Court of Appeals ruled against police officers drawing blood.  (The Court of Criminal Appeals overturned this).

Mimi also sued the Texas Department of Public Safety for its double jeopardy surcharge program.  Since the initiation of her suit, Texas DPS  has instituted amnesty programs based on one’s earning potential.

Winning Women at the 2012 DWI Defense Project

This week I had the honor of serving as a Course Director and Speaker at the Annual TCDLA DWI Defense Project.  Kudos to the Winning Women who also presented at the seminar:  Julissa Martinez (Ellis County, Texas), Stephanie Alvarado (Dallas County, Texas) and Kimberly Griffin Tucker (Denton County, Texas).

Finding the Bullet-Takers in Your Life

There are times in your life when events force those around you to show their true colors.  You find out that some people you think are your friends are not, while others rise up and are willing to take a bullet for you.


If I had made a list of the "bullet takers" before filing my discrimination lawsuit against NCDD, I would have been sadly mistaken.  People I have known for years, some as long as 18, could not wait to throw me under the bus in their haste to defend NCDD.  Their cult-like obsession with a pathetically flawed organization led them to paint me as a "villain" for exposing NCDD's discriminatory practices.  Interesting.


On a brighter note, I have discovered who the true "bullet takers" are in my life.  I have friends that have gone above and beyond in demonstrating their loyalty to me and I will forever be grateful to them.  They have been patches of sunlight in an otherwise dark time.  I am very lucky.


As a dear friend told me today - there's a lot to be said for gaining this knowledge.


So to all the bullet-takers in my life - and you know who you are - thank you.

More Words to Live By