Practice areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 1998
Education: Texas A&M University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2011 - 2012 Call today:
214-935-3883
Virtual Appointments 
Free Consultation Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
17 Cowboys WaySuite 175
Frisco, TX 75034 Visit website
Heather J. Barbieri is the Founding Attorney at Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., where she focuses her practice exclusively on criminal defense for individuals facing serious charges in North Texas and statewide. A Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005, Ms. Barbieri brings more than 25 years of litigation and trial experience to complex criminal matters.
Ms. Barbieri represents clients across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Richardson, and Collin County, handling both state and federal cases. Her practice areas include felony and misdemeanor defense, sexual assault and sex crimes, internet sex crimes, domestic violence, drug offenses, juvenile cases, and federal criminal charges. Known for her strategic approach and meticulous case preparation, she leads a senior defense team that employs a multi-layered defense methodology to protect her clients’ constitutional rights at every stage of a criminal proceeding.
Since earning her Juris Doctor degree in 1998 from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law), Ms. Barbieri has been licensed to practice in the State Bar of Texas and admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
In addition to her courtroom work, Ms. Barbieri is a dedicated educator and leader in the legal community. She has served in numerous leadership positions with the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), including as President (2022–2023), and frequently lectures on criminal law and trial skills. Through her trial successes, teaching roles, and contributions to the criminal defense bar, Ms. Barbieri remains committed to advancing excellence in criminal defense practice.
Her professional recognition includes repeated selection to Texas Super Lawyers, honors from Texas Monthly’s Top Women Lawyers, D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas, and other statewide and national distinctions.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White CollarFocus areas
Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Murder, Sex Offenses, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 70% Criminal Defense
- 30% Criminal Defense: White Collar
First Admitted: 1998, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.barbierilawfirm.com/attorneys/heather-barbieri/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Board Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2012 – present, 2026
- Vice-President, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2020 – 2021, 2021
- Executive Committee Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2026
- President, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2022 – 2023, 2023
- Nominating Committee, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- United States District Court – Northern District of Texas, 1999 , 1999
- United States District Court – Eastern District of Texas, 2000, 2000
- President, Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2009, 2009
- Fellow, Honorable Curt B. Henderson, Inn of Courts
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Texas State Bar, November 1998, 1998
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2005, 2005
- Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2005, recertified 2020, 2020
- Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2005, recertified 2015, 2015
- Board Certified in Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2005, recertified 2010, 2010
Honors
- Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, Criminal Defense: General, 2022 - Present, Best Lawyers in Dallas, https://directory.dmagazine.com/lawyers/heather-j-barbieri/#loc33.10985729999999, 2026
- Heather J. Barbieri has been recognized as a 2026 Elite Lawyer, a distinction awarded to a select group of attorneys nationwide who demonstrate exceptional legal skill, professionalism, and peer respect in their practice. The Elite Lawyer designation reflects Ms. Barbieri’s more than 25 years of criminal defense experience, her Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a longstanding record of effective trial advocacy, including a 20-year undefeated record in assault jury trials. In addition to her trial accomplishments, Ms. Barbieri has served as President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and has been consistently recognized among the most respected criminal defense lawyers in Texas and beyond., Elite Lawyer, https://www.kark.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/873530274/heather-barbieri-named-2026-elite-lawyer-for-excellence-in-criminal-defense/#:~:text=Texas%20by%20Texas%20Monthly%20and%20one%20of,is%20an%20honor%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Attorney%20Heather, 2026
- Heather J. Barbieri has been recognized by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (NADC) as part of its Top One Percent distinction from 2021 through the present. This honor identifies attorneys who have achieved excellence in their field and have been selected for inclusion in the association’s Top One Percent Directory, representing a small proportion of attorneys nationwide who demonstrate superior professional achievement and peer recognition in legal advocacy., National Association of Distinguished Counsel's Top One Percent, https://www.distinguishedcounsel.org/members/heather-barbieri/35057/, 2025
- Heather J. Barbieri, J.D. ’98, was honored with the Private Practice Achievement Award as part of the 2025 Alumni Legacy Awards presented by the Texas A&M School of Law Alumni Board. The Alumni Legacy Awards recognize outstanding graduates for professional accomplishments, contributions to the legal profession, and service to the community. The Private Practice Achievement Award acknowledges Ms. Barbieri’s exceptional professional success and legal excellence in private practice, celebrating her impact on the practice of law and leadership within the legal community., Texas A&M School of Law Alumni Legacy Award, https://info.law.tamu.edu/alumniawards, 2025
- Super Lawyer, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2013 - Present, Super Lawyer, https://profiles.superlawyers.com/texas/frisco/lawyer/heather-barbieri/58245b1f-3361-4dd8-bc6a-543a8bce94b5.html, 2025
- 10-rated, AVVO, Legal Ratings, 2010 - Present, 10-Rated AVVO, https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/75034-tx-heather-barbieri-1771243.html, 2025
- 2015 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, awarded at TCDLA’s 2015 Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Defense Seminar in San Antonio, Texas, Trial Lawyer of the Year, https://www.distinguishedcounsel.org/members/heather-barbieri/35057/, 2015
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science, Kansas State University - Dean's List
- Law School: JD., Texas A&M University School of Law, 1998
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Lecturer, Ethics in Sexual Abuse Cases, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Seminar, Defending Those Accuse of Sexual Assault, 2014
- Lecturer, Jury Selection in Child Sexual Assault Cases, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Annual Prairie Dog Seminar, January 2015
- Lecturer, Closing Argument: Delivering the Message, Criminal Defense Trial Skills and Trial Law Program, Center for American and International Law, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Lecturer, Use of Psychodrama in the Courtroom, TCDLA’s Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Defense Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, 2014
- Lecturer, Women in the Law, TCDLA’s Annual Rusty Duncan Criminal Defense Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, 2013
- Lecturer, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Punishment Seminar, Probation
- Lecturer, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Ethics in the Courtroom, traveling seminars; Waco, Granbury
- Lecturer, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Jury Selection, traveling seminars; Tyler, South Padre Island
- Lecturer, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Teaching the Defense Team, Frederickburg
- Course Director, TCDLA’s Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Defense Seminar, San Antonio, Texas, 2014
- Course Director, TCDLA and CCCDLA, Criminal Defense Seminar, McKinney, Texas
- Faculty, Criminal Trial College, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Faculty, Criminal Defense Trial Skills and Trial Law Program, Center for American and International Law, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2011 - 2012
Certificates and credentials
Criminal Law
