George Altgelt has learned his purpose in life is to defend those who are accused of crime. He demands fairness from the court's to deliver justice to his clients and his results speak for themselves.
His entire law practice is dedicated to criminal defense, family and employment law. Most of his clients are those with occupational licenses or law enforcement credentials. At the unique crossroads of criminal defense and employment law, Altgelt has found his niche. Once a teacher, nurse, or government employee is arrested the criminal case is just the beginning. Winning the criminal case is just the start, saving one's career, livelihood, and family are the next vital steps.
As a former prosecutor for the Webb and Zapata County District Attorney's Office Altgelt successfully prosecuted DWI/DUI and drug distribution cases. More importantly, he learned his craft from the inside out and now puts that inside knowledge to work for the benefit of his clients.
Altgelt is also a fierce advocate for local law enforcement whenever there is a critical incident or use of force event. He is a Union Representative and local counsel for the National Border Patrol Council Local 2455, the Peace Officers Research Association of California, and the local Laredo Police Officer's associations and has extensive law enforcement contacts throughout south Texas. He represents members of the Texas State Teachers Association and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association. He is the one to call when you or someone you love is arrested and needs to fight both the criminal case and the employment consequences that follow.
Altgelt is a fierce advocate of the Second Amendment and has extensive experience in handling all types of cases involving firearms and self-defense.
Altgelt was admitted to practice law by the Texas State Bar in 2004, the federal Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Districts of Texas, the Fourth Court of Appeals, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has also been admitted into the College of the State Bar of Texas
He represents District VII on the Laredo City Council. He was elected to the office in May 2015 and won re-election in November 8, 2016. He has worked to reform the city's wasteful spending practices, to serve the needs of District VII and the city as a whole and has always put principle before politics.
He and his wife of 16 years, Rosa Elia, are blessed with two amazing daughters, Emily Ixchel and Joyce Amanda.
Altgelt was born in Austin, raised in Wimberley and on the family ranch in San Ygnacio. He is a graduate of Zapata High School and Texas A&M International University. He earned a doctorate of jurisprudence from St. Mary's University School of Law in 2004, is fluent in Spanish and is an avid outdoorsman.
Altgelt knows the border. He has ancestral ties to Guerrero Viejo. He is a 13th generation of Guerra Caamars and Uribe-Benavides in the New World on his mother's side, and on his father's side, he is an 8th generation Texan.
Altgelt did not lack for examples of good work ethics from his grandfather, his great-uncles who were ranchers in San Ygnacio and Hebbronville, and from his parents. His mother is a journalist who published LareDOS for 20 years, and his father is a successful Austin businessman who works in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.
Areas of Practice
Criminal Defense
Federal Defense
Employment Law
Family Law
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
Texas, 2004
Education
St. Mary's University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas
J.D. - 2004
Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas - 1999
Major: Political Science
Honors and Awards
Excellent Rated Attorney - AVVO 2011
Top 100 Trial Lawyers - 2016
Professional Associations and Memberships
AVVO
TCDLA
Laredo Webb County Bar Association, President, 2011 - 2012
State Bar College
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Past Employment Positions
Webb & Zapata County Attorney's office, Assistant District Attorney, 2004 - 2006
Pro Bono Activities
St. Mary's Criminal Law Clinic, 2003 - 2004
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, 2006 - 2008
Languages
English (Primary)
Spanish