Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Military & Veterans Law, DUI-DWI; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1994
Education: Wake Forest University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025 Call today:
512-649-8281
Free Consultation O'Connell West, PLLC
505 West 12th St.Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701 Visit website
Attorney Douglas K. O'Connell is the founder and managing attorney of O’Connell West, PLLC in Austin, Texas. Nationally recognized as among the top trial attorneys in the country, Mr. O'Connell focuses his practice primarily on criminal defense, and he provides unmatched counsel and support to clients throughout the state who stand accused of serious criminal violations, including white collar crimes, administrative issues, and other state and federal offenses.
Over the course of his more than 30 years as a lawyer, Mr. O'Connell has served as both a felony and misdemeanor prosecutor in Travis County as well as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Austin. In these roles, he handled numerous criminal cases, including more than 100 jury trials, and his past prosecutorial experience has given him invaluable insight into the criminal justice system that enables him to devise the most effective defense strategies possible for the accused.
A retired Colonel with the U.S Army Special Forces, Mr. O'Connell routinely represents both veterans as well as current servicemembers facing serious criminal charges or civil matters that threaten their military careers and benefits. He also devotes a portion of his practice to representing the rights and entitlements of those victimized by unethical business practices, powerful political interests or someone else's negligence.
No matter the issues his clients are facing, Mr. O'Connell delivers highly personalized counsel to help them fully understand their options so that they can make the best-informed decisions. He has also gained a reputation for his fierce advocacy and unwavering dedication to securing the favorable outcomes his clients expect and deserve in order to mitigate the potential consequences to their lives and futures.
Honored for his outstanding professionalism and service, Mr. O'Connell has earned consistent top rankings and endorsements from his peers, including a Top 100 Trial Lawyer designation from the National Trial Lawyers. He has also received the Minute Man Award from the Enlisted Association of the National Guard for his excellent service to military members and veterans, and he has received "Superb" client ratings on Avvo. He has also received two Avvo Client's Choice awards in 2015 and 2022.
Mr. O'Connell began his legal career in 1994 after obtaining his Juris Doctor from School of Law - Wake Forest University and his license to practice from the State Bar of Texas. He also earned his Master of Science in national security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2008 as well as a Master of Arts in strategic studies from the United State Army War College in 2013.
Active in his legal community, Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Texas and Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Associations and the State Bar of Texas, among his other professional affiliations. He also conducts lectures and seminars across his region on a variety of legal topics, and he has testified before the Texas House of Representatives. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Other Locations to Serve You:
Austin – Main Office:
505 West 12th St. Suite 200
Austin, TX 78701
Taylor:
717 North Main
Taylor, TX 76574
San Antonio-South TX Office:
222 Main Plaza
San Antonio, TX 78205
Killeen / Fort Cavazos:
By Appointment Only
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Military/Veterans Law, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Military Divorce, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Sex Offenses, White Collar Crime
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 30% Military/Veterans Law
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 1994, Texas
Professional Webpage: http://dougoconnell.com/about/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member - State Bar of Texas
- Special Forces Association
- Texas
- Alumni - Texas Lyceum
- Selected - Pro Bono College of the Texas State Bar (2018)
- Fellow - Texas Bar Foundation (2016-2017)
- Selected for Texas Bar College (2017)
- Member - Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Past Director - Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Videos
- If you're a veteran, active duty member, LEO, or simply passionate about truth and accountability, this episode is for you., From Green Beret to Legal Advocate: The Fight for Justice with Doug O'Connell | Tim Teaches Podcast, 2025
- At a crowded July 2020 protest in downtown Austin, Perry shot Foster with a handgun. Foster was attending the protest armed with an AK-47, and O’Connell argued during the trial that Perry was acting in self-defense. However, the jury rejected Perry’s defense and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. In a portion of the interview exclusively available at The Texan, O’Connell also discussed what this case could mean for the right to self-defense, the likelihood of a pardon, and what Texans can take away from this extraordinary trial., Interview: Doug O’Connell, Daniel Perry’s Defense Attorney, on Sentencing and Jury Trial, 2024
- Have you ever considered the weight of a split-second decision and its ripple effect through the legal system? Join us as we sit down with Doug O'Connell and Ken Irvin, distinguished Austin attorneys with frontline experience defending law enforcement officers. Their insights reveal the oft-misunderstood world of officers' critical incident responses and the emotional and legal battles that ensue. We delve into the seismic shift from prosecution to defense, painting a vivid picture of the internal workings of a DA's office and how politics can sway the scales of justice., "Legal Lifelines" with Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin Part 1, 2024
- Join us for Part 2 with Doug O'Connell and Ken Irvin, respected Austin attorneys specializing in the defense of law enforcement officers. Gain valuable insights into the complexities of critical incident responses and the emotional and legal challenges faced by officers. We'll also delve into the transition from prosecution to defense, providing a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a DA's office and the influence of political factors on the pursuit of justice. Doug and Ken will also discuss the extent of TMPA's involvement in the recent trial of two former WILCO deputies, for whom they secured a NOT GUILTY verdict. This is an episode you won't want to miss., "Legal Lifelines" with Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin Part 2, 2024
- Garret Foster was not supposed to be in possession of a firearm according to the US Air Force. Why was this evidence excluded at trial?, Garrett Foster was ILLEGALLY CARRYING AK47, 2023
- Daniel Perry’s attorney joins the show and debunks the theory that Daniel Perry drove into the crowd of protestors., Daniel Perry didn’t “drive into” protesters, 2023
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Admitted - United States Supreme Court
- Admitted United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- Admitted to United States District Court, Western District of Texas
- US Government Top Secret Clearance. Additionally cleared for Sensitive Compartmentalized Information (TS-SCI), 2019
Pro bono / Community Service
- Texas Lyceum (Past Director)
- Commissioner for the City of Austin’s Veterans Commission
- Board Member and Chair of the Veteran’s program Song writing with Soldiers
- Vestry member of his Episcopal Church
Honors
- Axon Rise Award for Criminal Justice, https://x.com/OConnellWest/status/1783914426459902115, 2024
Educational Background
- Naval Postgraduate School - M.A., National Security Studies (Homeland Security)., 2008
- United States Army War College - MS, Strategic Studies, 2013
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Invited by the Texas House of Representatives to provide input on proposed legislation regarding Change of Venue in criminal cases and reforming the Grand Jury process in Texas. , Invited to provide testimony on Change of Venue Legislation and Grand Jury Reform, Testimony Texas House of Representatives Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, 2025
- Lecturer, University of Texas School of Law
- Criminal Defense
- Defense & Aerospace Industry
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Military Personnel
- National Security Law
- Security Clearances
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Doug has been an excellent resource for me for questions about military and veteran's legal issues and has done great work for my referrals.”
“Doug O'Connell is a fantastic trial attorney, has a tireless work ethic, and is extremely detail-oriented in how he works up his cases. I would not hesitate to hire him if I were in need.”
“Great criminal defense attorney”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2020 - 2025
