Awards and Accolades

Recognition for excellence in criminal defense and client satisfaction

Client Satisfaction Rate

Unlike many law firms, we don't measure success by superficial awards that can simply be purchased. We measure success based on client outcomes and satisfaction.

We survey every client after their case concludes, asking them to rate their trial attorney, legal assistant, and overall experience with our firm.

98.28%

Overall Client Satisfaction

97.26%

Trial Attorney

Client satisfaction rating

98.63%

Legal Assistant

Client satisfaction rating

98.94%

Firm Experience

Overall experience rating

Based on comprehensive client surveys and feedback

Online Reviews

Google

5.0/5

902 reviews

BBB

A+

Rating

Avvo

5.0/5

98 reviews

Trustpilot

4.9/5

39 reviews

Thumbtack

5.0/5

101 reviews

Lawyers.com

5.0/5

11 reviews

Attorney Backgrounds

25+

Criminal Defense Attorneys

9

Former Prosecutors

Know how the other side thinks

2

Former Judges

Understand judicial perspective

3

DWI Lawyer Scientists

Specialized DWI defense expertise

3

Former Public Defenders

Extensive trial experience

2

Board Certified

Criminal Defense Attorneys

3

Super Lawyers

Award Winners

Awards and Recognitions

The following is a sampling of awards won by Ben Michael, Michael & Associates and/or the attorneys at the firm.

AVVO Client's Choice Award 2025

Top 40 under 40 (American Academy of Attorneys)

Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney in Texas (2022, Attorney and Practice Magazine)

10 Best Attorneys DUI/DWI in Texas by American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys

10 Best Attorneys Criminal Law in Texas by American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

Ranked Top 5 Criminal Defense Attorney for Not Guilty Verdicts and Trial Win in Harris County

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Dallas – Expertise.com

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Austin – Expertise.com

Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving San Antonio – Expertise.com

American Jurisprudence Award for Professional Responsibility (Texas Tech School of Law)

Honor Court Chief Magistrate, University of Houston Law Center

Associate Board Member of the Advocates, University of Houston Law Center

Awards for speaking at Moot Court tournaments, South Texas College of Law

Achieved rank of Eagle Scout

3rd in National Trial Competition in Mock Trial Team

Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star (2019–2023, Thomson Reuters)

Top Attorney (2019–2023, Thomson Reuters)

Champion, Garland Walker Mock Trial Competition, South Texas College of Law

Super Lawyers Texas Rising Star (Thomson Reuters, since 2018)

Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers Association

10.0 Superb Rating – Top Attorney – Avvo

Plus numerous additional certifications, memberships, and media appearances

Additional Courses, Certifications and Memberships

The following is a sampling of courses, memberships or certifications won by Ben Michael, Michael & Associates and/or the attorneys at the firm.

Courses

  • NHTSA/IACP Standardized Field Sobriety Practitioner's Course (completed twice)
  • Forensic Chromatography: Theory & Practice (Axion Labs and American Chemical Society)
  • Forensic Analysis of Solid Drugs (Axion Labs and American Chemical Society)
  • Forensic Principles of DUID (Axion Labs and American Chemical Society)
  • Training with Gerry Spence at the Trial Lawyers College Regional Seminar, Estes Park, Colorado
  • Charlotte School of Law Advanced Criminal Advocacy Program

Memberships

  • Admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • Editorial Board, San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Magazine
  • Founding Member, DUI Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member, Texas DWI Lawyers Association
  • Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Former President, Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (ECCDLA)
  • Appointed to the State Grievance Committee
  • National College of DUI Defense
  • American Bar Association
  • Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Young Lawyers Association
  • Former President, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Former President, Criminal Justice Section of the Austin Bar Association
  • Former Austin Chapter President, Federal Bar Association
  • Licensed in the United States District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Texas

Certifications

  • Lawyer-Scientist designation, American Chemical Society
  • Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (since 2004)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation

Your Future Can't Wait

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