Rick Cofer

Cofer & Connelly, PLLC - Criminal Law

Profile

Rick Cofer is among the most recognized criminal defense attorneys in the United States. He is a partner with Cofer & Connelly Law Firm based in Austin, Texas.

Nationally Recognized
Nationally known as among the best criminal defense attorneys in the country, Mr. Cofer has more than 15 years of legal experience. Recognized in 2021 and 2022 as Best Lawyer by the Austin Chronicle, a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, and 2023 Best Lawyers in America, he provides unmatched counsel and support to clients facing criminal charges throughout Texas.

Record of Success
Since 2019, Mr. Cofer has secured dismissal or acquittal in over 94% of all cases resolved – including hundreds of felony and misdemeanor charges. He has won dismissal in capital murder, homicide, sexual assault, and other serious felony cases in more than thirty Texas counties.

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Cofer has served as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. He has tried more than 100 cases to a judge or jury, and has thousands of hours of courtroom experience.

Texas Criminal Defense Practice
Mr. Cofer routinely handles some of the most serious and difficult criminal cases in Texas, including murder charges, sex crimes, and other major felonies. He also handles driving while intoxicated and drug possession cases; he has notable experience with cannabis and marijuana laws.

Additionally, he is a statewide juvenile defense attorney, representing young adults in complex cases throughout Texas.
Service
Mr. Cofer serves as the longtime treasurer of the Criminal Law Section of the Austin Bar Association. He is a Fellow and Board Member of the Austin Bar Foundation. Additionally, he is an active member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Federal Bar Association, and National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Cofer obtained his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Western, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Cofer has deep Central Texas roots. He has served in many public roles, including:

• Chair, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition
Board of Directors

• Chair, City of Austin Zero Waste Commission

• President, Pease Park Conservancy Board of Directors

• Vice Chair, Texas Health Action Board of Directors

• Vice Chair, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board

Political Leadership
Since college, Mr. Cofer has been active in government and politics. For more than 20 years he has held key roles in local, state, and national campaigns. He worked for President Obama’s 2008 campaign, served on the Democratic National Committee, and, most recently, served on President Biden’s National Finance Committee.

Personal
Mr. Cofer was raised in Plano, Texas. He has lived in Central Texas for more than twenty years, splitting time between his Blanco County ranch and Austin home.