Attorneys
TERRY W. YATES 
Terry W. Yates is a lifelong Texan, graduate of the University of Texas, and a board-certified criminal defense attorney. With over 17 years of experience as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney, Terry ranks among the top criminal defense lawyers in America. Texas Monthly recognizes Terry as a Texas Super Lawyer, a designation given only to the top attorneys in Texas. Terry and his cases have received national and international media coverage. Terry has appeared on ESPN, 48 Hours and Fox news networks concerning his cases and as a commentator on other legal issues.
The Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory lists Terry W. Yates in the 2005 Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers, an honor "limited to only the most distinguished law practices; those that have achieved the AV rating. The 'A' signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the 'V' denotes 'very high' adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence."
Professional Qualifications:
- Board certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1995;
- Board certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1999;
- Graduate of the esteemed Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College in Dubois, Wyoming in 2001;
- Joined the Trial Lawyer's College Faculty 2007;
- Undergraduate Degree, with Special Honors, from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987;
- Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston in 1989;
- Member of the State Bar of Texas;
- Licensed to practice before:
- Texas Supreme Court and all Texas Courts
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals-5th Circuit
- United States District Court-Southern District of Texas (Houston Division)
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Texas
Professional Experience:
- Assistant District Attorney, Harris County, 1990-1994
- Major Fraud Division of the Special Crimes Bureau, Harris County, 1992-1994
- Private Practice, Yates Law Offices, 1994-present
- Associate Judge - City of West University Place, Texas (Appointed 2005)
- Assistant City Prosecutor - City of West University Place, Texas (1997-2005)
Some Highlighted Cases:
- Acquittal of Captain Mark Aguirre in the infamous "K-Mart Raid" prosecution
- Acquittal for client of Capital Murder charge (at the time only the second acquittal in 22 years of capital murder prosecution in Houston)
- Defense of Dynegy, Inc. executive in a multi-jurisdictional securities, wire fraud and mail fraud prosecution
- Defense of Enron attorneys (Result: No charges filed)
- Defense of "Oil for Food" Investigation by the Southern District of New York (Result: No charges filed)
- Dismissal of a Reckless Driving charge against former Houston Rocket and current NBA player
- "No Bill" by a Harris County Grand Jury of a Rice University football player on sexual assault charges.
- Representation of former Major League Baseball MVP Ken Caminiti.
- Multi-million dollar verdict against Dynegy, Inc. for Fraud and Breach of Contract
Nationally Recognized Speaker:
- Faculty Member: National Insurance Crime Bureau
(2004 Received "Founding Father" Award) - Frequent Lecturer, University of Houston Law Center
- University of Houston Law Center Board of Advisors for Criminal Justice Institute
- Frequent Speaker, Continuing Legal Education programs for attorneys
- Frequent Speaker at police training programs in Texas
Publications:
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Individuals after Booker, What Says the Fifth Circuit? The Houston Lawyer, March / April 2005
- Group Formation and the Jury: Understanding Human Nature , The Warrior, Fall 2004
- Ethical Considerations and Malpractice Avoidance in Representing Non-Citizens University of Houston Law Foundation - Continuing Legal Education, June 2004