Expert Criminal Defense Attorney
Having tried more than 100 jury trials, Texas criminal defense attorney Elaine Morrison Evans represents clients facing criminal charges such as murder, manslaughter, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, burglary, driving while intoxicated, drug possession offenses, family violence, probation violations, and gun crimes. As a highly skilled, effective trial attorney, her most notable work includes participating in the prosecution of two capital murder trials where the death penalty was sought by the State of Texas.
“This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to create and build a regional criminal defense practice. When working with clients, I know they are entrusting me with their reputation and their future. My goal is to protect their legal rights, offer a personalized approach and obtain the most favorable outcome possible.”
– Elaine M. Evans
Career and Practice Information
Prior to entering private practice, Elaine served as a prosecutor at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office for nearly 15 years. During her tenure at the DA’s office, she served in the family violence division, child abuse division and both the misdemeanor and felony trial divisions. Elaine was a Chief Felony Prosecutor for more than 9 years, where she supervised other up and coming prosecutors and managed the daily docket of all cases assigned to the Court.
Elaine decided to use her talents to defend those accused of crimes. She began her career as a criminal defense attorney in 2016, where she enjoys countless success both in and out of the courtroom. Elaine is often asked about her specialty. Her years of handling cases ranging from misdemeanor theft to capital murder and everything in between qualifies her to handle any criminal accusation you are facing. She has an attention to detail and the inside knowledge of how criminal prosecution works from her previous experience as a high-ranking trial attorney in the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office.
Elaine’s Private Practice Currently Serves Following Counties:
Dallas County
Denton County
Collin County
Rockwall County
Van Zandt County
Ellis County
Smith County
Franklin County
Kaufman County
Henderson county
Tarrant County
Hunt County
Grayson County
Education, Accolades, and Experience
Education:
SMU Dedman School of Law | Dallas, Texas
2001 – J.D.
Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas
1998 – B.A.
While at SMU, she participated in the Death Penalty Project, assisting her professor in the appeal and review of evidence for a defendant on Texas Death Row. She was also a member of SMU’s Mock Trial team. In 1998, Elaine received a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University for her double majors in Political Science and Sociology.
Professional Memberships:
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
State Bar of Texas
Texas District & County Attorneys Association, 2001-2016
Accomplishments:
Member, Top 100 National Trial Lawyers
Elaine was invited to join this elite professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as a trial lawyer.
Member, Texas Bar College, 2016 – Present
Elaine is a member of the exclusive College of the State Bar, a designation reserved for those completing an extraordinary amount of continuing legal education.
Attendee, National Advocacy Center | Columbia, SC
At this exclusive training facility operated by the Department of Justice, Elaine was selected to work one-on-one with both State and Federal prosecutors on advanced trial skills and effective courtroom presence.
Trial Advocacy I
Trial Advocacy II
Hundreds of Successful Outcomes for Clients
Past Success and Achievements
Prior to becoming an assistant district attorney, Elaine had years of experience working as a legal assistant in a prestigious criminal defense law office and had great success providing legal services in the Criminal Defense Clinic at Southern Methodist University. She not only participated as a student in the clinic but had the honor of serving as a Chief for a year, assisting other fellow law students in representing indigent defendants.
Elaine gained the respect of many seasoned trial attorneys early in her career after a case she handled in clinic. Due to her attention to detail and knowledge of the law, she was successful in having the evidence thrown out at a pre-trial hearing where she argued a traffic stop was bad. Not only was this important for her young client charged with possession of marijuana, but it caused the City of Dallas to change all traffic signs that read “no left turn Fri-Sat” (located primarily in Deep Ellum & on Greenville Avenue). As a result of Elaine’s work on this case, numerous cases were reviewed and later dismissed due to the illegal traffic stop she recognized and brought to the Court’s attention.
