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Darlina Crowder is president of The Crowder Law Firm in Plano, practicing primarily in criminal defense since 2000. She received her J.D. in 1998 from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, where she was chosen by classmates to speak at their Hooding Ceremony. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a minor in General Science, from Texas Woman’s University in 1995. Admitted to the Texas bar in 1999 and Admitted to The United States Court of Appeals for The Fifth Circuit. Ms. Crowder has also been licensed to practice law in the U.S. District Court’s Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas since 1999. Over her career, she has tried over 175 trials and received acquittals in over 160 trials. In 2004, Ms. Crowder teamed up with Robert Udashen to represent Lisa Diaz in a case that drew national attention, as Ms. Diaz was charged with capital murder for drowning her two children. However, the Udashen-Crowder team was successful and Ms. Diaz was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Ms. Crowder’s experience now also includes service behind the bench. She was appointed in 2013 as an Associate Judge in Collin County Probate Court, presiding over mental health hearings.
Ms. Crowder has also received a number of honors. She was selected for Texas Monthly’s, “Super Lawyers Rising Stars” list in March 2005, March 2006 & March 2007 and for its “Texas Super Lawyers” list in October & September 2009. In June 2007 & 2008, Ms. Crowder was also the recipient of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association’s Presidential Award. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (as Associate Director, 2007-2008) and for the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (2000). She has also served as a Secretary/Treasurer (2001) and Vice President (2002-2003) for the Collin County Criminal Bench Bar Foundation since 1999, and as Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2007. She is also a member of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Bar Association, the Trial Lawyers College, the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
Ms. Crowder’s work has been featured in the following publications: Texas Lawyer, August 2004 “Against All Odds” (Cover Story, Ms. Crowder & Robert Udashen); Dallas Observer, September 2004, “Insanely Guilty” (Cover Story, Ms. Crowder & Robert Udashen); and Houston Press, September 2004 “Insanity Defense” (Cover Story, Ms. Crowder & Robert Udashen). She has also appeared on: KLIF (FOX) Radio (as Guest, November 2006); Bill O’Reilly, The O’Reilly Factor (as Guest, November 10, 2006); and Nancy Grace, CNN, (as Co-Counsel Guest).
She has also been invited to speak and serve as faculty at the following programs:
The Center for American and International Law, Criminal Defense Trial Skills and Law Program, Faculty, Lecturer, Speaker (2006-Present)
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Associate, Strike Force (2012-Present)
Texas Center for the Judiciary conference, Co-Presented with Gary Udashen on Eye Witness Identification (May 2012)
Military Defense Counsel Trial Litigation, Faculty, The Center for American and International Law, Plano, Texas (July 2009, 2011)
Texas Association of Judiciary Interpreters & Translators, Speaker, “The Anatomy of a DWI Stop”, McKinney, Texas (January 2010)
Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, 28th Annual Prairie Dog Lawyers, Speaker on Winning Strategies at Trial, Lubbock, Texas (January, 2008)
Advanced Trial Series, Speaker on Experts, Tyler, Texas (December 14, 2007)
Voir Dire Seminar, Course Director, Dallas (December 6, 2007)
Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Course, Course Director & Speaker, San Antonio (June 2007)
Texas Criminal Trial College, Faculty, Huntsville, Texas (March 2005 & 2006)
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association Luncheon Speaker (March 2005)
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association,
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State: Texas
Acquired: 1999
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64 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 64 reviews
Posted by Robert | June 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
The number one law firm
My son was falsely accused of a crime. Mrs. Crowder accepted the case after we hired two failing firms that were doing nothing to represent the truth. She did an amazing job Investigating and defending my son to freedom .
Posted by anonymous | June 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Darlina Crowder is the absolute best!
Darlina Crowder and her entire team at the Crowder Law Firm fought for me for years and saved my life! Prior to hiring Ms. Crowder I had two different lawyers. The first had a big ego and I was treated like I was guilty. I fired him and hired the second. I quickly figured out that he was very inexper...
Thank you so much for your powerful and heartfelt words. Your story is a reminder of why this work matters. The Crowder Law Firm is proud to have stood beside you in such a difficult fight. Your courage and trust throughout the process were key, and it means everything to know the team was able to make a difference. Michael Hawk and the entire staff will be honored by your gratitude. Wishing you peace and strength as you move forward.
Posted by Gerri | June 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Thankfulness
She is an outstanding lawyer, if wasn't for her and her team my best friend would be spending the rest of his life in prison, she worked tirelessly to get a not guilty verdict for my best friend I'm so grateful words can't express this enough.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Stories like yours mean everything. The team at The Crowder Law Firm is honored to have played a role in protecting your best friend’s future. Fighting for justice is never easy, but it’s always worth it and we're so grateful for your trust and support.
Posted by anonymous | June 11, 2025
Straight forward answers
I had so many questions before going into everything and the team helped me without batting an eye.
Thank you for the kind words! The team at The Crowder Law Firm prides itself on being honest, direct, and always available to help. We're glad we could give you clarity and support when you needed it most.
Posted by anonymous | April 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Fearless and formidable law Firm
We were looking for a firm with strong credentials, excellent understanding of working with the courts, responsive and willing to go the extra mile. For certain personal reasons, we additionally needed the law firm to try and expeditiously obtain a refusal or dismissal for a misdemeanor B charge. ...
Thank you for such a thoughtful and detailed review. The Crowder Law Firm is honored to have earned your trust and delivered the result you hoped for. It means a great deal to hear how much you appreciated the leadership, precision, and urgency our team brought to your case. Darlina and Tyler will be especially grateful for your kind words. We're proud to have been able to resolve this so quickly and effectively, and we’re always here if you ever need us again.
"I am a lawyer with the firm. I joined this team because I only wanted to associate with lawyers who were committed to exceptional case outcomes. Here are only some features about what I enjoy about working here: we make the time to be thorough every case, every time. This firm has the best legal research resources available, and we put them to use. This firm looks at all of the evidence. This firm does its own investigation. If there is something wrong with the case, we find it. Darlina Crowder has earned her reputation, and we all benefit from her world-class trial experience. I have never seen anything quite like it. It is immensely gratifying to be part of a team of lawyers who are committed to fighting for our clients’ lives and freedom."
"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. She is the cream of the crop of criminal defense attorneys. Passionate, prepared, experienced and effective all describe Darlina in the courtroom. When the chips are down you want Darlina on your side to fight the government. She is the best."
"I have known Ms. Crowder for several years. She knows the law and works extremely hard for her clients. She obtains excellent results. I highly endorse this lawyer's work without reservation."
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2019
Elite Lawyer Award, Elite Lawyer
2017
Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Super Lawyers, SuperLawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
President's Award, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2007
President's Award, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2007
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2006
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2005
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013 - Present
Associate Judge, presiding over Mental Health hearings, Collin County Probate Court
2000 - Present
President, The Crowder Law Firm PC
2005 - Present
Collin County Young Lawyers AssociationTreasurer
2001 - Present
Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationSecretary/Treasurer
2000 - Present
Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationBoard of Directors
Member
Member
Member
Member
2002 - 2003
Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationVice President
1998
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
2023
English
Spanish