Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, Business Litigation; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2003
Education: South Texas College of Law Houston
Selected to Rising Stars: 2014 - 2015 At Lawhorn Law, P.C., in Tyler, Texas, Tab E. Lawhorn delivers comprehensive legal representation across criminal defense, federal offenses, corporate counsel and business litigation. Serving clients throughout Smith County, he approaches every matter with rigorous analysis and focused defense strategies. Whether protecting individual rights in complex criminal proceedings or guiding businesses through formation, rulemaking and breach of contract disputes, he ensures your legal and commercial interests are fiercely safeguarded under Texas law.
When catastrophic negligence strikes, Mr. Lawhorn provides compassionate yet aggressive advocacy for personal injury victims. His strategic approach to car wrecks, commercial trucking accidents and wrongful death claims focuses on uncovering liability and maximizing financial recovery. By combining meticulous investigation with relentless trial preparation, he holds negligent parties accountable. He stands as a trusted ally for families throughout Tyler, navigating severe hardship to secure the justice and long-term security they deserve.
Upon completing his undergraduate business degree at Baylor University, Mr. Lawhorn earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law Houston. Licensed in Texas since 2003, he brings over two decades of trial experience before both state and federal courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Combining a strong commercial foundation with deep knowledge in personal injury, criminal defense and civil litigation, he delivers highly effective courtroom advocacy.
Mr. Lawhorn’s commitment to top-tier representation is evidenced by numerous industry honors. Named among the 10 Best Attorneys in Texas by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys and a multiyear National Trial Lawyers Top 100 member, his dedication is widely acclaimed. Recognized for excellence in both criminal defense and personal injury by prestigious legal associations, he leverages this recognized record of trial success to relentlessly champion every client's rights with unyielding focus, precision and skill.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Business Litigation, Business/Corporate, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Juvenile Delinquency, Limited Liability Companies, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Partnership, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Sub-chapter S Corporations, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 40% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Business Litigation
- 10% Business/Corporate
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2003, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.lawhornlaw.com/tab-lawhorn
Bar / Professional Activity
- State of Texas, 2003
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Tab Lawhorn obtained an acquittal by jury trial in Smith County, Texas, for a man who was charged with domestic violence. The case centered upon the alleged victim's contradictory testimony and commissions of perjury when being cross examined by Mr. Lawhorn. The Defendant did not testify. Jury deliberated for approximately 20 minutes., 2026
- Tab Lawhorn received a "Not Guilty" verdict by bench trial in Smith County, Texas for a man accused of intoxication by THC. The case turned on the testimony of the State's expert admitting that he could not link intoxication directly to the amount of active metabolite in the defendant's blood toxicology report., 2026
Educational Background
- Baylor University, Bachelor of Business Administration
Honors
- Perfect AVVO Rating 10 out of 10, AVVO 2017
- Awarded Top 40 under 40 for Personal Injury Lawyers
- Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation (2021)
- Texas Monthly Super Lawyers
- Top Lawyers in Texas, The Legal Network, 2016
- Texas Best Lawyers, National Law Journal, 2014
- 10 Best Attorneys – Criminal Defense, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2014, 2015, 2016
- Texas Monthly Rising Star, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2015
- Member of Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
- 10 Best Attorneys – Texas, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2017
- 10 Best Attorneys – Texas, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2017
- Top 10 Personal Injury Lawyers Under 40 – North Texas Region, NAPIL, 2014
Industry Groups
- Banking Fraud
- Cryptocurrency Fraud
- Drug Cases
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Money Laundering
- State Felonies
- State Misdemeanors
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Tab is an excellent criminal defense attorney. He is smart and diligent in his representation of his clients.”
“Tab is an excellent trial attorney. He never gets stuck on an issue. His story line flows well and he is always well prepared.”
“Tab is a lawyer's lawyer. His knowledge of the law is superb, but his street smarts allow him to out-strategize opposing attorneys.”
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2014 - 2015
