ABOUT DCDLA

For 60+ years, DCDLA has helped Dallas County criminal defense attorneys increase their knowledge and improve their skill sets through individual support, continuing education (CLE) courses, and direct access to a dynamic knowledge base of experienced criminal defense lawyers. Amongst our members are found the “who’s who” of the criminal defense profession in Dallas County.

We represent the criminal defense bar in matters relating to judges, the DA’s office, the media, commissioner’s court, and other political matters. We are a unified front committed to protecting and ensuring, by rule of law, individual rights guaranteed by the Texas and Federal Constitutions in criminal cases. Our assistance and educational programs encourage cooperation between Dallas criminal lawyers engaged in furtherance of such objectives to promote justice and the common good.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Board

PRESIDENT

Alison Grinter

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Nigel Redmond

TREASURER

Johnny Lanzillo

SECRETARY 

Tom Cox

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT

Jason Babb

Board Members

Makenzie Zarate
Shamaila Malik
David Reyna
S. Colleen Tennent
Rebekah Dall’Asen
Pravina Ravi
Michael Mendoza

Message from the President – Alison Grinter

It is my honor to serve as your President this year, and I am well aware that I stand in the shadow of giants, with great lawyers serving all the way back to our founding in 1949. This year, I would like to see DCDLA mend fences with the judiciary, reach out to our sister organizations in fellowship, and ensure that all criminal defense attorneys are welcome and feel welcome in this great organization. Because my heroes have always been criminal defense attorneys, and I am proud to serve alongside so many of you freedom fighters!

Past Presidents

    • 2025 - Jason Babb
      2024 - Stephanie Alvarado
      2023 - Doug Huff
      2022 - Deandra Grant
      2021 - Amanda Branan
      2020 - Sheridan Lewis
      2019 - Janie Martin
      2018 - Janie Martin
      2017 - Mark Lassiter
      2017 - Zeke Tyson
      2015 - Cliff Duke
      2014 - John Gioffredi
      2013 - Sandra Reynolds
      2012 - Gina Clark
      2011 - James Lee Bright
      2010 - G. Annie Lesser
      2009 - Brady Wyatt
      2008 - William "Bill" Fay
      2007 - Robert Udashen
      2006 - Susan Anderson
      2005 - Peter Barrett
      2004 - Phillip Linder
      2003 - Rick Harrison, Jr.
      2002 - Hank Judin
      2001 - Amy Abboud Ware
      2000 - Knox Fitzpatrick
    • 1999 - Douglas Parks
      1998 - Martin Lenoir
      1997 - W. E. "Karo" Johnson
      1996 - Robert Francis
      1996 - Edwin "Bubba" King
      1995 - Douglas Skemp
      1994 - J. Craig Jett
      1993 - Tom Pappas
      1992 - R. Kelly Pace
      1991 - Stuart Parker
      1990 - Scott M. Anderson
      1989 - Michael McColloch
      1988 - Edgar A. Mason
      1987 - Bradley K. Lollar
      1986 - Arch C. McColl III
      1985 - Henry Ackels
      1984 - Mike Gibson
      1983 - Richard Anderson
      1982 - Peter A. Lesser
      1981 - Lawrence Mitchell
      1980 - Don G. Horton
      1979 - Edward Snyder, Jr.
      1978 - Ronald Goranson
      1977 - Richard E. Harrison
      1976 - Jan E. Hemphill
      1975 - William "Bill" Alexander
  • 1974 - Stanley Weinberg
    1973 - Adelfa B. Callejo
    1972 - George Milner, Jr.
    1971 - Randolph Scott
    1970 - Emmett Colvin
    1969 - Jim "Rughead" Martin
    1968 - Lee Irwin
    1967 - Robert B. Maloney
    1966 - Hugh Snodgrass
    1965 - Bennie Henderson
    1964 - Clayton Fowler
    1963 - C. A. Droby
    1962 - W. O. Braecklein
    1961 - R. T. Scales
    1960 - Sam Daugherty
    1959 - Bob Stinson
    1958 - Gladys Melton
    1957 - Mark E. Kramer
    1956 - W. J. Duke
    1955 - Charles W. Tessmer
    1954 - Milton K. Norton
    1953 - Charlie T. Davis
    1952 - Dick McLemore, Jr.
    1951 - Whitley R. Sessions
    1950 - Dick McLemore, Jr.
    1949 - Dick McLemore, Jr.