Ryan W. Gertz

Bar / Professional Activity

• Board of the Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association, the Board of Advocates of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Board of the Evelyn M. Lord Teen Court, and as the coach of the Central High School Mock Trial Team
• Member, National College of DUI Defense and the College of the State Bar of Texas
• “Premier 100” Attorney for the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2015
• Eastern, Western, and Southern Federal District Courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• State v. Arnold - 356th District Court – Judge Steve Thomas – manslaughter – not guilty from the jury., 2026
• State v. Collazo  - 252nd District Court – Judge Raquel West – Agg. Sexual Assault (one complainant) and Indecency with a Child (different complainant) – Not Guilty on Both Indictments., 2026
• State v. Hatch - Jefferson County Criminal District Court – Judge John Stevens – DWI 3rd - not guilty verdict from the jury., 2026
• State v. Jones – 172nd District Court – Judge Mitch Templeton – aggravated assault (shaking) of a child – Not Guilty from the jury., 2026
• State v. Smith, Murder - Not Guilty from jury, 2015
• State v. Lee, Aggravated Assault by a Public Servant – Not Guilty from jury., 2016
• State v. Havard, Murder of four month old: guilty verdict from jury, 8 years TDC from jury, 2016
• Not Guilty Verdicts in DWI's in the following cases: State v. Ellis, State v. Jobe., 2016
• State v. Larson, Not Guilty from Jury on Indecency with a Child Indictment, 2016
• Two Not Guilty Verdicts in Capital Murder Cases: State v. Cotton and State v. Michael., 2017
• State v. Taylor, Murder Indictment. Conviction on second count, four years TDC punishment., 2018
• State v. McCloney; Intox Manslaughter and Assault. Guilty pleas and punishment from the jury - 8 years on manslaughter and probation on the assault; No deadly weapon finding by the jury., 2018
• Not Guilty Verdicts in DWI's in the following cases: State v. Philpott, State v. LeDoux, State v. Tinoco, 2018
• Not Guilty Verdicts in DWI's in the following cases: State v. Herrera, State v. Merriwether, State v. Trawhon, 2019
• State v. Coleman, Capital Murder, Not Guilty from Jury, 2019
• State v. Bean, Intoxication Manslaughter, Not Guilty Verdict from Jury, 2020

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Capital Murder Certified in the 2nd Administrative Judicial Region, 2020
• Board Certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2026
• Capital Murder Certified in the 2nd Administrative Judicial Region, 2019
• Capital Murder Certified in the 2nd Administrative Judicial Region, 2018
• Capital Murder Certified in the 2nd Administrative Judicial Region, 2017
• Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2014

Educational Background

• Master of Arts Degree from Columbia School of Arts and Sciences at George Washington University, Political Ethics, 2001
• Bachelor's Degree, University of Texas at Austin, Government and Philosophy, 2000

Honors

• Outstanding Young Lawyer, Jefferson County Bar Association, 2014
• AV rated, Martindale, AV Preeminent®
•  ‘Top 100 Trial Lawyers’ in Texas as recognized by the National Trial Lawyers organization

Industry Groups

• Representing citizens accused of serious criminal offenses

“Ryan is one of the hardest working and most well prepared criminal defense attorney that I know. As a former prosecutor I tried cases against him, and as a former Judge I observed him try cases in my courtroom. Now that I am, a criminal defense attorney, Ryan and I are working on some cases together and I value that experience. I am always impressed with how prepared and passionate he is about his cases, and I have never seen Ryan shy away from a fight in the courtroom. Ryan has a great courtroom presence. He is very knowledgable about the law, yet he is still always striving to learn more. Recently, Ryan has been instrumental in helping our county implement standing discovery orders for DWI cases with breath and blood. I have no doubt that we've yet to see all that is to come from Ryan Gertz.”

“Ryan is one of the most ethical, competent and talented attorneys in Texas. He believes in the criminal justice system and feels passionately that every client, indeed every citizen, deserves to be represented before the court. He is an outstanding community leader as well passing along his passion for justice by voluntarily teaching the moot court class at Monsignor Kelly High School.”

“Ryan is one of the finest criminal defense attorneys in the state. He is ethical, steadfast, and honest in his representation of his clients. It is no easy task to defend the seemingly defenseless but Ryan's belief in the system and the constitutional right to a lawyer push him to work hard to provide not only adequate representation but extraordinary counsel. He is engaged in the Jefferson County bar and is a big supporter of the judiciary there. He is also a wonderful citizen-lawyer as well and volunteers his time coaching debate and mock trial at Monsignor Kelly High School where the team has gone on to win several state championships under his tutelage. Ryan is a fine exemplar of what good lawyers should be and is deserving of the designation "Super Lawyer."”