Cory Crenshaw

Former Judge, Former DA, and Former Federal Prosecutor

Cory Crenshaw is an experienced trial lawyer with a substantial background in public service dedicated to the legal community having previously served as Judge, District Attorney, and as a federal prosecutor.  Over 12 years of significant legal experience across various communities in Texas, he now serves his clients well as he is dedicated to representing YOU and solving all your legal matters in YOUR favor.

Background:

Cory Crenshaw was raised in Beaumont, Texas.  He obtained his undergraduate degree from Baylor University in 2002, majoring in History. He was awarded the Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2004 from Texas Tech University School of Law.

Prosecutor:

Beginning his legal career in 2005 as an Assistant District Attorney in Brazos County, Texas, he served (in that position) for nearly six years.  In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice hired Crenshaw as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and sent him to McAllen for his first assignment.  For two years, Crenshaw prosecuted crimes related to the Mexican Cartels with a significant caseload focused on drug trafficking, firearms smuggling, and human trafficking.   In November of 2012, Crenshaw transferred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Beaumont.  Back at home, Crenshaw’s task as a federal prosecutor took on a more significant role as he was assigned to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force or OCDETF, which is the nation’s premier narcotics task force.

In January of 2014, the Governor of Texas appointed Crenshaw to be the Criminal District Attorney for Jefferson County.  In that role, Crenshaw promptly initiated a team effort to tackle the community’s most challenging criminal justice issues including corruption within the Beaumont Independent School District, criminal street gangs, and implemented a permanent “No Refusal” program to deter intoxicated drivers.  In 2015, newly elected DA Bob Wortham kept Crenshaw on as his First Assistant to help manage the office.  

Judge:

After the passing of beloved Judge Lupe Flores, Crenshaw received bipartisan support for his appointment to replace Judge Flores and handle the busy criminal docket in County Court at Law No. 2.  Crenshaw served in that role through the November 2016 election.  During his short tenure, Judge Crenshaw was able to dispose of over 5,000 cases, reduce the docket’s backlog by over half, help reform the bail system, implement changes to make discovery more efficient, and won praise for his fairness and dedication to justice.

Personal Life:

In his personal time, Crenshaw enjoys time with his family and friends, in addition to volunteering his time to local organizations.  In response to the tragic deaths of law enforcement officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge in the summer of 2016, Crenshaw spearheaded an effort called “Protect Our Peacemakers,” which donated nearly $100,000 in body armor kits to the Beaumont Police Department to protect officers from the increased threat.  Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at Lamar University, where he teaches the course “Drugs and Society” to both undergraduate and graduate students and directs a new Criminal Defense Clinic.

Bar Admissions:

• Texas
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas

Education:

• Texas Tech University School of Law, J.D.
• Baylor University, B.A.
• Major: History

Associations and Memberships:

• Texas Bar Foundation
• Michelle Mehaffy Inn of Court
• 100 Club of Southeast Texas, Life Member
• Garth House Children’s Advocacy, former member, Board of Directors
• Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Southern Regional Director, Board of Directors

Ryan Zehl

Of Counsel - Have a Question?

Ryan Zehl is a Trial Lawyer who has recovered substantial verdicts and settlements for clients across Texas and the United States, qualifying him for a lifetime membership in the “Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum,” an organization limited to less than 1% of trial lawyers in the country.

• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
• U.S. District Court Western District of Texas

Education:

• South Texas College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
• Honors: South Texas Law Review
• Honors: National Champion: Judge Evan A. Evans Moot Court Competition
• Honors: Highest Grades: Evidence, Criminal Procedure & Remedies
• University of Texas, Austin, B.A.
• Major: Psychology

Associations and Memberships:

• Houston Trial Lawyers Association, Board Member
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• National Trial Lawyers Association