About Sean Buckley

ABOUT OUR FIRM

The Law Office of Sean Buckley maintains the highest reputation for personalized service, fearless advocacy, and winning the most difficult cases. When facing criminal charges or a criminal investigation, you need an experienced and top-rated criminal defense attorney on your side. We believe that the relationship between a criminal defense lawyer and their client is one of the most important professional and personal relationships that exists. We believe that the health of this relationship contributes significantly to the lawyer’s effectiveness. To promote this philosophy, we accept cases that present a good fit for both client and lawyer. Once engaged with the Law Office of Sean Buckley, Mr. Buckley serves as lead counsel and personally handles all cases. Every client will have direct contact with Mr. Buckley and his staff. 

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ABOUT SEAN BUCKLEY

Criminal defense attorney Sean Buckley is consistently regarded as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the United States based on his stellar qualifications, exceptional client satisfaction, and a track record of outstanding results. His reputation for excellence is based on over two decades of experience as a highly-effective criminal defense trial lawyer and skilled negotiator defending clients in a wide array of state and federal criminal cases – from simple misdemeanors in state court, to the most complex and high-stakes federal crimes. 

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Sean Buckley has built a portfolio of remarkable verdicts. Recently and against heavy odds he won a major “Not Guilty” trial verdict of a main defendant in a $120M Federal Healthcare Fraud and Money Laundering case (United States v. J.C., NDTX). In another case Mr. Buckley shocked prosecutors and surprised courthouse observers by winning a “Not Guilty” trial verdict in a felony cocaine possession case, marking the only known success in Texas of the once-fabled “borrowed pants defense” (State of Texas v. D.A., HCTX). Mr. Buckley then persuaded a jury to find another client “Not Guilty” of Murder in a Houston nightclub shooting based on self-defense, even after two witnesses testified that Mr. Buckley’s client shot the person “execution-style” (State of Texas v. J.P., HCTX). 

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In addition to his reputation as a highly effective trial lawyer, Sean Buckley has a formidable track record of winning cases even before trial. He’s obtained full dismissals in almost every type of state and federal case, including cases involving Federal Drug Trafficking Conspiracy, Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Federal Healthcare Fraud, State and Federal Gambling Offenses, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Federal Income Tax Fraud, Felony and Misdemeanor Assault of a Family Member, Murder, and Sexual Assault.

Attorney Sean Buckley vigorously represents clients in Harris County and in state and federal courts throughout Texas and across the United States. 

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A NATIONAL REPUTATION

Sean Buckley has been favorably profiled by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Associated Press, and all major networks. 

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Local and national media reported as Mr. Buckley won the exoneration and release of John Michael Harvey, a Fort Worth man who’d been wrongfully convicted years earlier and was serving a 40-year sentence for Sexual Assault. In another case, local, national, and international media reported as Mr. Buckley served as trial co-counsel and diplomatic liaison for Houston businessman Harold Davis, who was accused of trafficking 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and heroin through the Dominican Republic. Following months of favorable media coverage toward Mr. Davis’ case, Dominican judges issued a “Not Guilty” verdict acquitting Mr. Davis of all charges. In another recent case, local and national media reported as Mr. Buckley ignited a national scandal in his representation of “Jenny,” a mentally ill rape victim who was jailed for 28 days by prosecutors to ensure her testimony against her rapist. Mr. Buckley’s advocacy ultimately resulted in significant compensation for his client and major changes to Texas law. Most recently, local and national media reported as Mr. Buckley exposed misconduct by the Harris County District Clerk in Houston – who was subjecting prospective jurors to “victim’s rights pep rallies” before sending them to jury service. The highly publicized incident caused a mistrial in a high-profile Murder case Mr. Buckley was defending and put a stop to politically motivated jury tampering by elected officials in Harris County. 

 

RATINGS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating standard awarded to attorneys for legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards based on confidential ratings by other lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell has remained the gold-standard for attorney ratings in the U.S. since 1868.  

• Rated AV-Preeminent (Judicial Edition) by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating standard awarded to attorneys based on confidential ratings by judges.

• Rated Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters in the fields of Criminal Defense and White-Collar Criminal Defense — an honor bestowed upon roughly 5% of criminal defense lawyers. 

• Listed in Best Lawyers, a national listing of esteemed counsel in all legal fields across the United States.

• America's Most Honored Lawyers - Top 1%.

• Judicial Edition, Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability & Ethical Standards.

• Author – Editor, O’Connor’s Federal Criminal Rules & Codes (2010 – present), a respected and nationally published law and procedure book for practicing lawyers. 

• Protégé of famed Texas criminal defense trial lawyer Dick DeGuerin and an alumnus of the prominent DeGuerin & Dickson law firm. 

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EDUCATION

• The University of Texas School of Law, J.D. 1999

• Auburn University, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi, 1996

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ADMISSIONS TO PRACTICE

• Texas

• Federal Southern District of Texas

• Federal Western District of Texas 

• Federal Northern District of Texas 

• Federal Eastern District of Texas 

• All Other U.S. Federal Districts (eligible to practice pro hac vice)

• U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  (Sustaining Member, Federal Rules Committee, Discovery Reform Committee)

• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Member)

• Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (Member)

• The Federal Bar Association (Member)

• The Federalist Society (Member)​