Richard Cofer

Attorney Rick Cofer is a partner with Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, law firm in Austin, Texas. Nationally known as among the best criminal defense attorneys in the country, Mr. Cofer has more than 16 years of legal experience. Recognized the last four years as Best Lawyer by the Austin Chronicle, listed by Super Lawyers and Rising Stars for four years, and recognized in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 editions of Best Lawyers in America for criminal and juvenile law, Mr. Cofer provides unmatched counsel and support to clients facing criminal charges throughout Texas.

Since 2019, Mr. Cofer has secured dismissal or acquittal in over 93% 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 a judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney. He has tried more than 100 cases to a judge or jury, and has thousands of hours of courtroom experience.

Through his criminal defense practice, Mr. Cofer routinely handles some of the most complex and serious criminal cases across Central Texas, including murder charges, sexual allegations, and other major felonies. He also handles DWI and drug possession cases, and he has notable experience with cannabis and marijuana laws.

From his efforts, Mr. Cofer has achieved a long record of securing successful outcomes for his clients, and he has earned numerous awards and honors for his outstanding professionalism and service. Among his accolades, he has received a Top 100 Trial Lawyers designation from The National Trial Lawyers, and Attorney & Practice Magazine named him among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in 2019. He has also received Superb client ratings on Avvo along with the site's Clients' Choice Award.

Moreover, Mr. Cofer has received the Distinguished Service Certificate from the City of Austin along with the Individual Achievement Award from Keep Austin Beautiful. He has also received a Resolution of Appreciation from the Travis County Commissioners Court, and he is a graduate of the Austin Bar Association's Leadership Academy.

Mr. Cofer is also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a board member of the Austin Bar Foundation. He is a member of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association, the Austin and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Associations, and other local, state, and national legal organizations.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Cofer earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Leon Green Society and the American Constitution Society. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and all Texas courts.

Mr. Cofer has deep Central Texas roots. He has served in a number of public roles, including:

• Chair, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition Board of Directors
• President, Pease Park Conservancy Board of Directors
• Chair, City of Austin Zero Waste Commission
• Vice Chair, City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board
• Vice Chair, Texas Health Action Kind Clinic

Mr. Cofer has lived in Central Texas for more than twenty-five years.