Respected nationwide as a fierce advocate for her clients, Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube is an experienced criminal defense attorney and trial lawyer successfully handling state and federal criminal matters at all phases from investigation through trial, post-conviction, and parole.
A recognized leader in the bar and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association President for 2025–2026, she is proud of her service to TCDLA and to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for over more than a decade in a variety of capacities, including as TCDLA’s Strike Force Co-Chair. In that role, she has vigorously defended lawyers statewide in the crosshairs of persecution directly resulting from their performance of their duties to defend their clients and the Constitution.
She has also served the criminal law bar nationally in her capacity as a board member with NACDL and as an active member of Women in White Collar Criminal Defense. She has served the bar previously as the Houston Bar Association's Criminal Law and Procedure Section Chair, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association Board Member, Criminal Defense Lawyers Project Board Member, former President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, Past Chair of the Criminal Law and Procedure Section for the Houston Bar Association, and through involvement in Inns of Court.
Her tenacity and reputation for excellence have earned her a variety of awards and recognition, including TCDLA’s Freedom Award, the Charles Butts Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award, Best Lawyers in America for many years, including Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in 2017, 2024, and 2025, TCDLA’s President’s Recognition, HCCLA’s President's Award, and recognition in a variety of legal publications. She has been selected by Texas Monthly as a Texas Super Lawyer for over a decade, and her firm has the highest rating, AV, given by the legal directory Martindale-Hubbell.
She was also a proud Associate Producer of An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story. Nicole served as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney's Office from 1994 through 2002 and has been in private practice as a criminal defense lawyer since 2002. Her experience, knowledge, and highly acclaimed skills have earned her the respect of her clients, colleagues, and the judiciary.
