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also known as Brandon J. Henderson
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Brandon Henderson is the Managing Partner of HMW Law, Ohio Trial Attorneys, a Cleveland, Ohio law firm focused on criminal defense and personal injury. Brandon served as defense counsel for John Morgan in the Youngstown murder case featured in the two-part Season 7 premiere of A&E's Accused: Guilty or Innocent?, which aired in March 2025, and he is a recurring guest on Fox 8's New Day Cleveland and a legal commentator across Northeast Ohio television, on Fox 8 WJW, WOIO Channel 19 (CBS) and its sister station WUAB, WKYC Channel 3 (NBC), and WEWS Channel 5 (ABC), and he has been interviewed on WTOL 11 (CBS) in Toledo. Admitted to the Ohio bar in 2002, he founded HMW Law in 2003, and the firm has handled thousands of cases since.
Brandon defends clients against sex crimes, internet crimes, child pornography cases, drug crimes, violent crimes, and federal charges, and he represents people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death cases, nursing home abuse, and workers compensation claims. His trial work is a matter of public record: in State v. Morgan, 2024-Ohio-5843, Brandon Henderson defended John Morgan in the trial featured in its Season 7 premiere, and in a separate murder trial he defended Guy Mitchell, whom a jury found not guilty of aiding and abetting murder and involuntary manslaughter. In State v. Kohlhoffer, he represented Brent Kohlhoffer in the Lucas County aggravated murder case, including on appeal. Every case is different, and past outcomes do not guarantee future results.
His recognition includes:
- Avvo rating of 10.0, "Superb," with 27 client reviews averaging 5.0 stars (profile figures as reviewed November 5, 2026)
- Avvo Client's Choice Award, Criminal Defense
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel, Nation's Top 1% of Attorneys
- National Advocacy for DUI Defense, Top 100 DUI Attorneys
- American Academy of Trial Attorneys, Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for Ohio
- The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40
- Expertise, Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Cleveland
- Founding member of the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
- Listed in the Who's Who of Executives and Professionals
He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a member of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (OACDL). HMW Law is BBB Accredited with an A+ rating, and its attorneys bring 60 years of combined legal experience. He is licensed to practice in all Ohio state courts, trial and appellate, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
In the community, Brandon founded the HMW Law Against All Odds Scholarship, a $2,500 award for a student who has overcome significant adversity, first awarded in 2025 and running again in 2026. The firm sponsors Fox 8's Missing with Amanda Berry and offers free Safe Rides home every New Year's Eve. His community campaigns include 2Strong4Bullies, Project Roadblock, and W82TXT, and the firm joins Fox 8's Operation Giving Tree and Stuff the Bus drives. He offers legal comment on cases making national news and has been quoted as a legal expert in The U.S. Sun, and his interviews on running a law firm include Starter Story and the Legal Mastermind Podcast. He started the firm out of his apartment and built it case by case, on the belief that a person in the worst moment of their life deserves an advocate who knows their name. Brandon and his team have never been afraid to take on the most difficult cases, no matter how steep the uphill battle.
Facing charges, or hurt by someone else's negligence? Call HMW Law at 800-CALL-HMW for a free case review. HMW Law, 1231 Superior Ave., Suite 200, Cleveland, OH 44114.
6
Practice Areas
24 years
24 years
24 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
State: Ohio
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
1231 Superior Avenue, Suite 200, Cleveland, OH, 44114
teamhmwwins.com/
Other places you can find Brandon online.
27 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews
Posted by anonymous | March 24, 2026 | Hired Attorney
HMW is responsive , patient and everything was resolved.. Highly recommended
HMW Law took the time to clearly explain my options and kept me informed throughout every step of the process. What stood out to me the most was Brandon's genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. They were always responsive, patient with my questions, and made a stressful situat...
Posted by anonymous | February 13, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Hardworking and Honest
Brandon was very hard working and honest with my case. Made sure to stay in contact with me through the whole process.
Posted by Dee | February 13, 2026
Auto Injury
Brandon was super helpful and guiding me and my family through a really difficult time when a family member’s dad was injured in an auto accident.
Posted by joseph | February 13, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Great job
When you are going thru something tough Its good to have someone who knows the ropes. He answered all my questions, communicated very well, and end result was greater than i could of imagined. Thank You Brandon!!
Posted by Jeff | August 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney
He's my only choice when it comes to attorneys, by far the best I've dealt with
I contacted Brandon to work a domestic case I was going through and I have to say picking him was the best choice I could have made. Brandon's knowledge on the law and procedures is amazing I was so impressed by his skill and the way he took the time to explain the whole process of what was going and...
"Brandon is passionate, experienced and a leader in the legal community, particularly in criminal defense work. If I had one person to choose to represent me, it would be him. You won't find someone who will work harder to win your case."
"I endorse this lawyer. Brandon provides quality representation to his clients and has developed a strong reputation as someone who obtains great results in the courtroom. Brandon's knowledge of criminal and OVI law is unparalleled, making him a tremendous asset to Cleveland's legal community."
"I fully endorse Brandon. He is a very talented criminal and DUI attorney. He has a great rapport with all of the local courts and does a phenomenal job representing his client. Brandon is a great person and attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Henderson is a very educated and hardworking attorney who stays at the cutting edge of his field to put his clients in the best position possible."
"It is truly my pleasure to endorse Brandon Henderson--a lawyer I have known for more than a decade. He is one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Cleveland. Brandon is phenomenal advocate in the courtroom who cares deeply for the people he represents. He is known as a tenacious fighter and will work tirelessly to obtain the best results possible for his clients. I would not hesitate for a second to recommend Brandon to anyone who needs top notch representation in the area of criminal defense."
"In my opinion, Brandon Henderson is a professional, hard working, knowledgeable attorney who has his client's best interests in mind every time that he steps into a courtroom. I fully endorse his ability as a competent and exceptional criminal defense attorney."
"I have known Mr. Henderson for nearly ten years, and have worked with him for over six. You will not find an attorney willing to work harder for you. I have taken many cases to trial with him and personally witnessed him sacrifice sleep, food, family and friends to ensure he leaves no stone unturned in his thorough preparation for trial. He has an intimate knowledge of the courts in which he operates and tenacity like you have never seen before. He absolutely refuses to let his clients down. He always knows exactly what he's doing, why he's doing it, and has prepared for every possible circumstance. If you are looking for a lawyer with unparalleled talent, impeccable work ethic, and experience like none other, then you want Brandon Henderson on your side."
"Brandon is a well-respected, experienced criminal defense attorney. I highly recommend him for any criminal matter, big or small."
"I had the pleasure of being Brandon's law partner for 3 years in Cleveland. He is a truly gifted trial attorney who has been blessed with a silver tongue. He cares about his clients and getting the best possible result for them. If you have been accused of a crime, you could not ask for a better attorney to fight for your rights."
"I worked with Brandon in Law School during the Mock Trial Program. We also have seen each other in the Courtroom. My opinion is that Mr. Henderson is a pragmatic and tough negotiator, get the best results for his clients, while at the same time, prepared to fight and put the State to the test when the prosecutor isn't seeing the big picture when it comes to the evidence and the State's burden of proof."
"Brandon and I went to law school and were on the Mock Trial team together. In no less terms, Brandon has a great understanding of the criminal code and procedures and is an extremely competent trial attorney. His expansive knowledge of the criminal law area of law are great strengths to his practice. I have regularly referred all of my clients who need assistance with criminal matters to Brandon and neither my clients nor I have ever been disappointed."
"I have personally had the distinct pleasure of observing Brandon's meticulous and extensive trial preparation process. Brandon puts his heart and soul into the defense of every client and truly cares about the outcome of each case. I have also been a witness to his trial advocacy and conduct. His professionalism, tenacity, knowledge of the law and empathy for his clients are rare traits that should be heralded in our profession. Brandon is an extremely talented attorney and advocate whose services I have recommended to family members, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances. Each individual he has represented based on my referral has provided me with nothing but positive feedback and overall satisfaction for the results Brandon has achieved. I have the utmost respect for Brandon and his abilities and would trust him to represent me if I ever found myself in need of counsel."
Criminal defense lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2015
Nation's Top Attorneys - Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Top 100 DUI Attorneys, National Advocacy For DUI Defense
2015
Premier 100 Trial Attorneys for Ohio, American Academy of Trial Attorneys
2015
Clients Choice Award - Criminal Defense, Avvo
2014
A+ Accredited Business, BBB
2014
Clients' Choice Award - Criminal Defense, Avvo
2014
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Training, LaPier & Associates
2014
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Training, LaPier & Associates
2014
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Certified Training, LaPier & Associates
2014
Top 100 DUI Attorneys, National Advocacy For DUI Defense
2014
Executives And Professionals, Heritage Registry of Who's Who
2001
National Honor recognizing excellence in Trial Advocacy, Order of Barristers
1997
National Honors - Top 15%, Golden Key
1997
Accounting Scholarship, Deloitte & Touche
1997
Dean's Scholarship, Ohio University
2003 - Present
Managing Partner, HMW Law - Ohio Trial Attorneys
2015 - Present
National Association of Distinguished CounselMember
2015 - Present
American Academy of Trial AttorneysMember
2015 - Present
Ohio Association of Criminal Defense LawyersBoard of Directors
2015 - Present
Regional CLE CommitteeCo-chair
2014 - Present
National Advocacy for DUI DefenseMember
2014 - Present
Who's Who of Executives and ProfessionalsMember
Member
Founding Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Not guilty on all counts
Not guilty on all charges
Not guilty on all counts
Not guilty on all counts
Charges dismissed, reduced and amended
Case dismissed, charges cleared
case dismissed
Dismissal of all charges
Not guilty on all counts, won following settlement from police officer
No license suspension, charge amended
2001
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2009
DUI / OVI
2008
Municipal Court Update
N/A
DUI & Traffic Update
N/A
DUI
N/A
DUI & Criminal Defense for Non-Practicing Attorneys
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
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2022
English
Legal Answers
I need to get a 4th degree misdemeanor dismissed. It is causing problems in my job search when a background check is done.
04 Sep 2014
I am going to trial for improper handling of a firearm. Never been in trouble before will I get probation only?
02 Sep 2014
Is there any way to a get an open container ticket reduced in Ohio?
03 Sep 2014