Biography
About Mr. Hunt
After graduating from Baylor University School of Law in Waco, Texas, Russell D. Hunt, Sr. began his legal career in the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office as Assistant District Attorney in 1977. Since founding his own firm in 1985, Mr. Hunt has practiced state and federal criminal defense law exclusively.
An AV-rated Martindale-Hubbell criminal defense attorney — the highest peer review designation for both legal ability and ethical standards — Mr. Hunt represents the citizen accused with unwavering dedication. In his distinguished career, he has successfully defended against a wide range of criminal charges including DUI/DWI, homicide, capital murder, sex offenses, child pornography, theft, and white collar crimes.
Career Background
50 Years of Legal Service
4
Years as
Assistant District Attorney
McLennan County, Texas
46
Years in
Exclusive Criminal Defense
State & Federal Courts
Mr. Hunt’s experience as a prosecutor gives him a unique advantage in criminal defense — he understands firsthand how the state builds its cases and uses that knowledge to aggressively protect his clients’ rights and freedom.
Certifications & Recognition
Board Certified & Nationally Recognized
Mr. Hunt is board certified in criminal law by both the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the National Board of Trial Advocacy — a distinction held by only a select few attorneys in Texas, reflecting the highest standards of legal competence and courtroom skill.
🏅
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Board Certified in Criminal Law
⚖️
National Board of Trial Advocacy
Certified Trial Advocate
⭐
Rated by Super Lawyers
Top-rated Criminal Defense Attorney
📋
AV Rated — Martindale-Hubbell
Highest Peer Review Rating for Legal Ability & Ethical Standards
Court Admissions
Licensed & Admitted
Mr. Hunt primarily practices throughout central Texas and is also licensed to practice in the state of Minnesota, where he handles federal criminal cases. He is admitted in the following courts:
State Courts of Minnesota
U.S. District Court — Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court — Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court — Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court — District of Minnesota
U.S. Court of Appeals — 5th Circuit
Professional Associations
Professional Memberships
⚖️American Bar Association
⚖️Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA)
⚖️National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) — Life Member
⚖️Academy of Certified Trial Lawyers of Minnesota
⚖️Member, State Bar of Texas
⚖️Member, Texas Association of Board Certified Specialists in Criminal Law
⚖️Member, Waco McLennan County Bar Association
⚖️Federal Bar Association — Waco Chapter (Former Treasurer & National Delegate, 1995–Present)
Areas of Practice
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Mr. Hunt provides exclusive criminal defense representation across a broad range of Federal and State felony and misdemeanor charges:
Federal Crimes
Drug Charges
Violent Offenses
Homicide & Capital Murder
Sex Offenses
Child Pornography
DUI / DWI
White Collar Crimes
Theft
College & University Student Defense
Education
Educational Background
🎓
J.D. — Baylor University School of Law
Waco, Texas · 1977
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M.S.Ed. in Secondary Education
University of Southern California, Los Angeles · 1969
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B.A. in the Humanities
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis · 1964
Certifications
Special Licenses & Certifications
🏅
Criminal Law — Texas Board of Legal Specialization
First Admitted: Texas, 1977 · Certified 1990
⚖️
Criminal Law — National Board of Trial Advocacy
Certified 1992
Honors & Recognition
Honors & Achievements
⭐
National Trial Lawyers — Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Texas
Invited to join the National Trial Lawyers, 2013
⭐
Board Member — State Bar College of Texas
Served 2010–2013. The State Bar College is chartered by the State Bar of Texas to improve the overall quality of legal education for its members.
⭐
Fellow — College of the State Bar of Texas
1990
⭐
Honored Endowment Fund Scholar — College of the State Bar of Texas
📋
AV Rated — Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
Highest peer review rating for legal ability & ethical standards
⚖️
Qualified to Handle First Chair Capital Murder Cases
Speaking & Teaching
Scholarly Lectures & Writings
🎤
Seminar Presenter — Federal Bar Association
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Guest Lecturer — Baylor Law School
🎤
Baylor University Alumni Association — Criminal Law Lecture Series (2013)
Selected as one of only four lecturers in a multi-week series on Criminal Law. Other presenters included Tom Gray, Chief Justice, 10th Court of Appeals; Hon. Judge Ralph Strother, 19th Judicial District Court; and Hon. Crawford Long, Ret. First Assistant Criminal District Attorney, McLennan County.
Community Service
Pro Bono & Community Service
"Every year I expend at least 50 hours providing legal advice and counsel for those citizens who cannot afford the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. I am called almost every day by, or on behalf of, an accused who is indigent, but who is seeking pro bono legal advice. I provide this advice and counsel without charge."
— Russell D. Hunt, Sr.
* AV Peer Review Rated: The AV rating is a testament to the fact that a lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. This rating is assigned by Martindale-Hubbell to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers as having very high ethical standards and legal ability.
Schedule a Free Consultation
With nearly 50 years of experience, Mr. Hunt is ready to fight for you. Contact the office today for a free, confidential consultation.
