Mr. Montalvo's criminal defense practice focuses on federal crimes. He has successfully defended hundreds of federal criminal cases in Houston, Galveston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Beaumont, Texas.
He is admitted and licensed to practice law in the following courts:
Supreme Court of Texas
United States Supreme Court
Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
EDUCATION
Thurgood Marshall School of Law,
Juris Doctor, Dean’s List, Honor's Graduate
Praemium Excellentia Amjur Awards in
Trial Simulation
Appellate Litigation
Best Appellate Brief, and
International Human Rights.
Judicial Externship
United States Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson
Judicial Internship
United States Magistrate Judge Marcia A Crone, now a United States District Judge.
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
As a former federal officer for over ten years, Mr. Montalvo has firsthand knowledge and extensive experience in federal criminal offenses. He has conducted thousands of federal investigations relating to individuals charged with federal criminal offenses. He has worked closely with the United States Attorney's office and has extensive experience in working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, Secret Service, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Postal Inspectors, as well as other federal law enforcement agencies.
He has received training from the Houston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Federal Bar Association,
Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit,
American Inns of Court (former member)
American Bar Association
(Criminal Justice Section)
State Bar of Texas
(Criminal Justice Section)
(Municipal Judges Section)
Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
Texas Young Lawyers Association
Leadership Academy ( former -Graduate/Council)
The College of the State Bar of Texas
Houston Bar Association
(Criminal Law and Procedure Section)
(former- Equal Access Champions)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
National Hispanic Bar Association,
Hispanic Bar Association,
Mexican American Bar Association
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Associate Judge with the City of Houston since 2009.
Texas Bar Foundation
In Texas, the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Election to the Fellows is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas. Nomination is based on outstanding contributions to the legal profession as well as a commitment to the community. Once nominees are selected, each nominee must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Membership in the Fellows is restricted to Texas attorneys.
On April 30, 2009, Mr. Montalvo was elected to membership in the Fellows of the State Bar Foundation. His nomination was based on his outstanding professional achievements and his demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system.
A press release was issued on April 30, 2009.
Super Lawyers – Texas Rising Stars
Once a year, lawyers are nominated in each state based on personal performance and attaining certain honors, results or credentials, which indicate a high degree of peer recognition or professional competence. A research team evaluates each candidate based on these 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement: verdicts and settlements; transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within law firm; bar and or other professional activity; pro bono and community service as a lawyer; scholarly lectures and writings; education and employment background; and other outstanding achievements. The final published list represents no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state.
On October 17, 2012, Mr. Montalvo was selected as a 2013 Super Lawyers - Rising Star. Based on his professional achievements, his clients, and his experience, Mr. Montalvo was recognized as a superlawyer in its Texas Rising Stars 2013 Super Lawyers publication.
Honored as “Top Attorneys – Texas Outstanding Young Lawyers”
Based on his achievements, Mr. Montalvo was honored with recognition by Texas Monthly in its selection of "Top Attorneys - Texas' Outstanding Young Lawyers."
Houston, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/- Announcing a special recognition appearing in the April, 2013 issue of Texas Monthly published by Emmis Publishing Corporation.
Honored as Houston's “Top Attorneys" – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018
