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Derk Wadas

derk wadas

Founding Partner

Derk Wadas is an experienced and respected attorney with decades of law practice experience in nearly every aspect of criminal law and procedure. Derk has been successfully practicing criminal law for twenty-three years. He has been helping people avoid or minimize the harsh outcomes of the criminal justice system since 2005, after first spending six years as a prosecutor. Derk has the experience, skill, judgment, and leadership to guide you through difficult and complex legal matters.

He has received numerous awards and recognition, including Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a distinction he earned and has maintained since 2011. He has been named a Super Lawyer by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2014. This is an award only given to less than 5% of the attorneys in the state.

Derk is a former Collin County Assistant District Attorney where he served a felony criminal prosecutor and was the Chief misdemeanor prosecutor in County Courts at Law Number One and Two. As a prosecutor, Derk tried over seventy-five cases to a jury, and successfully prosecuted hundreds more. In addition, Derk successfully represented the State on appeals in dozens of cases. As a defense attorney, he has tried many, many more cases and has achieved numerous not guilty verdicts, charge reductions, and outright dismissals. He also has successfully represented numerous clients on appeal and in post-conviction litigation. In 2015 he secured the reversal of a life sentence for a client in a Federal Appeals Court.

It is important to Derk to remain at the forefront of the developing law and defenses in his field. For this reason, he is a member of organizations such as the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, an organization of which he is past President, Vice President, and Board Member, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Bar Association for the Federal Fifth Circuit, and the Association of Federal Defense Attorneys.

Outside of the courtroom, Derk is a serious and extremely competitive runner and racer. To be a successful racer, attention to detail, relentless and consistent preparation, and desire to win are all critical. The same traits are also necessary and critical to successfully defending someone who stands accused of a criminal offense.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Texas, 2004
  • U.S. Court Of Appeals For The Fifth Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District Of Texas, 2005
  • U.S. District Court, Western District Of Texas, 2013
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District Of Texas, 2013
  • Pennsylvania, 1997
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District Of Pennsylvania, 1997

PROFESSIONAL & BAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

  • Texas

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member Since: 2005
  • Former President, Vice President, And Board Member
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member Since: 2005
Collin County Bar Association
Member Since: 2005
Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit
Association of Federal Defense Attorneys
  • Member Since: 2013

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