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Geoffrey Puryear

Partner

Lead Counsel Designation - Thomson Reuters Findlaw

As a defense attorney, former felony prosecutor, and former Texas District Judge, I have committed my professional career to complex criminal law trial practice. I have tried hundreds of complex felony cases before a judge or jury, and I know that hard work and experience are the path to success in the courtroom.

As a sixth-generation Texan, my family and I have called Texas home for more than 150 years. I grew up in Austin and my dad still lives on the Hays County cattle ranch my family has owned since the 1880s. When I was young, my father became a trial court judge and was later elected to the 3rd Court of Appeals covering the Texas Hill Country, where he served for 18 years. He instilled in me a love of the law and the drive to work hard in everything I do. Texans are no strangers to a strong work ethic and that value has guided my career as a courtroom attorney and felony District Judge. As a longtime prosecutor in Williamson and Travis counties, I tried many complex, high-profile felony trials.

In 2012, I was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to a State Board charged with providing counsel and expertise to the Governor on criminal justice issues. In 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed me to the 460th District Court, a newly created felony criminal court in Central Texas. In that role, I had the opportunity to preside over jury trials, rule on evidentiary issues and see how criminal courtrooms work from a judge’s perspective, adding to the criminal legal experience I am able to leverage for my clients.

EDUCATION

  • Texas Tech University School of Law, JD
  • Texas State University, BS with Honor (Public Administration)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & RECOGNITION

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Lubbock Area Bar Association
  • Austin Bar Association
  • Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Texas District and County Attorneys Association (2007-2019)
  • Selected as Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas, The National Trial Lawyers
  • Selected as a Master of the Bench through the American Inns of Court

PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS

  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • Supreme Court of Texas
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Partner, Cofer & Connelly, PLLC
  • Partner, The Geoffrey Puryear Law Firm, PLLC, Lubbock
  • Presiding Judge, 460th Judicial District Court, Austin
  • Assistant District Attorney, Travis County District Attorney’s Office
  • Assistant District Attorney, Williamson County District Attorney’s Office
  • Assistant County Attorney, Williamson County Attorney’s Office

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

  • Member, Texas Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council (2011-2019)

Awards & Honors

  • Justia - 10.0 Lawyer Rating
  • Avvo 2021
  • NTL
  • Avvo 2022
  • Expertise 2023
  • Super Lawyers - Geoffrey
  • Avvo 2023 Geoffery
  • Top 1 Percent

Client Reviews

  • "I would highly recommend Mr. Connelly."
    Kelly
  • "Rick was the consummate professional, helping our family through a crisis with calm and efficiency. He was very responsive to all of our requests for information and guided us every step of the way."
    J.B.
  • "A good law firm made my son feel comfortable after he was charged."
    Chris J.
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