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Heather Barbieri is known for her fierce advocacy, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to defending the accused. For more than 25 years, she has focused her career on criminal defense, helping clients rebuild their lives after facing serious and complex charges, including sexual assault, false accusations, and internet-related offenses.
Heather leads with conviction and collaboration, inspiring her team to approach each case with creativity and determination. She developed a 115-point defense checklist to ensure every possible defense is explored and has gone two decades without losing an assault trial by jury. “When the government is coming after you with all of their resources, all of their money, and all of their power,” she says, “you should have a team ready to fight for you with just as much vigor.”
Her philosophy centers on respect and humanity. “I see every person as a human being and believe they should be treated with the utmost respect and kindness,” she explains. This compassionate approach, paired with rigorous preparation, has earned her board certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which she has maintained since 2005.
Heather has been named to the Texas Super Lawyers® list every year since 2013 and previously to the Rising Stars list. She has also been recognized among D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas and Texas Monthly’s Top Women Lawyers in Texas for five consecutive years.
A respected leader in her field, Heather served as President of both the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. The TCDLA honored her with the Percy Foreman Lawyer of the Year Award.
With over 90 five-star client reviews, Heather continues to earn the trust of those she represents. “When clients can finally feel peace knowing we’ve done everything possible to help them,” she says, “that’s what success means to me.”
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Practice Areas
26 years | 1,000 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: Texas
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
17 Cowboys Way, Suite 175, Frisco, TX, 75034
Showing 1 - 5 of 20 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by D Z | November 14, 2023 | Consulted Attorney
Heather Barbieri gets unbelievably GOOD results for her clients. She often wins acquittals and gets cases dismissed, even when the case doesn't look good for the client. Defense attorneys are not miracle workers, but she's as close as it gets. And she's honest and does not charge too much, only what ...
Posted by Zach | January 31, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Heather and her team did a dynamite job with my case. I can't believe I have a brand new lease on life now because of them. I was reluctant at first, even though I had a really good feeling about them from my initial consultation. I'm so grateful I went all in. It was worth it. They are just so passi...
Posted by Frances | September 23, 2019 | Hired Attorney
I hired the Barbieri Law Firm because she was simply the best attorney. She refused to stop fighting for me and my family in the midst of a very difficult and overwhelming case. Thank you. You literally saved my life (my freedom!) and I have a second lease on life and a second chance thanks to the in...
Posted by Larry | September 18, 2019 | Hired Attorney
The most important decision I ever had to make was what attorney to hire for a serious situation I was facing. Unfortuantely, the first time I hired one I made a mistake. I listened to all the BS and false promises he made to me. He took my money no problem but wasn't getting anything done and after ...
Posted by Dee | October 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney
10/11/2018 Heather Barbieri and Katherine Devlin, was the best thing I could have asked for in my lawsuit. They are truly professional and they took the time to CARE! Care for my well being, care about my family and care about my outcome. I was very worried about the process because I had never b...
"Heather is a knowlegable and well experienced trial lawyer. Her years of experience make her an excellent attorney in criminal defense."
"Heather goes full throttle at everything and never quits. She expects more of herself than any client expects of her. This is what makes her the best."
"Heather is a leader among lawyers. She defends her clients from multiple vantage points with the skill required to achieve results in the toughest of criminal cases."
"Heather was my mentor up in Wyoming and in Huntsville Texas. She helped me work up a cross on a complex sex case. The end product was amazing! I was grateful to learn from such a skilled trial lawyer. She is one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country and I would recommend her to anyone who needs a criminal defense attorney."
"Ms. Barbieri is a very talented attorney. I have know her for several years and have had trials with and against her. She is very smart and talented and I endorse her work 100%."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Heather! Heather has earned a solid reputation throughout Texas for effectively representing individuals accused of serious crimes. Prosecutors truly fear her. She has the necessary reputation, knowledge, and experience to eliminate or minimize the consequences of the government's accusation. She is a very effective and skilled litigator who has the guts to stand up to the government and their accusations to demand evidence, not simply an accusation. You can never go wrong with Heather!"
"Heather is an incredible attorney representing folks, and getting the two word verdict, "not guilty" very, very often in one of the toughest places to defend a case, Collin County. Heather is an excellent attorney who I am proud to endorse."
"Heather is one of the most talented litigators in the State of Texas. I value this lawyers opinion, and find myself calling her when I need assistance. Every time I have referred a client to Heather they rave about her ability. I would not hesitate in referring a friend or family member to this lawyer. I endorse this lawyer."
"Heather is an exceptional lawyer. Her knowledge of the law, passion for defending her clients, and likeability make her well-suited to represent the citizen accused."
"Heather is an exceptionally talented attorney whom I have had the pleasure to work with on past cases."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather is an outstanding lawyer, i have watched her presentations on a number of occasions and i always walk away with a sense of awe at her talents."
"I had the pleasure of training with Heather at the Trial Lawyers College. Very few lawyers are dedicated enough to attend this month-long, intensive program. Heather has consistently attended the week-long graduate seminars. Not only is she dedicated, but she is one of the more talented lawyers in the group. I also had the pleasure of trying a very difficult case with her, and Heather is one of the most prepared and highly skilled lawyers that I have ever known. I recommend Heather without hesitation."
"Heather is an excellent criminal defense lawyer who is well-known in the legal community. She is a tenacious litigator who is not afraid to take a case to trial, when necessary."
"Heather is one of the most talented trial lawyers in the country. She is extraordinarily dedicated to her clients and is very effective in advocating on their behalf. Any client contemplating hiring Heather would be well advised in having her in their corner. Moreover, she is a wonderful person and has the highest ethical and professional standards."
"I met Heather through a professional association. Her legal skills are superior, are only matched by the level of caring she gives to every person who is lucky enough to hire her. I have watched her work and she gives of herself tirelessly. She is truly a diamond in the rough and someone who I would not hesitate to recommend, or hire."
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2025
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2025
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2025
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2025
Best Lawyers, D Best Magazine
2024
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2024
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyers, D Best Magazine
2024
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2024
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2023
Best Lawyers, D Best Magazine
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2023
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2023
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2023
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2022
Best Lawyers, D Best Magazine
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2022
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2022
Top Lawyers in North Texas, Frisco Style
2022
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2022
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2021
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2021
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2021
Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2021
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2021
Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2020
Top Women Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly
2020
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2020
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Elite Lawyer, Elite Lawyer
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2017
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2015
Percy Foreman - Lawyer of the Year, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2013
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2012
Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
10.0 Rating, AVVO
2010
10.0 Rating, AVVO
N/A
Best Series of Articles - Criminal Law, Dallas Bar Association
N/A
3 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Plano, TX, Three Best Rated
1998 - Present
Founding Attorney, Barbieri Law Firm
2008 - 2010
Associate Board Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
2017 - Present
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationExecutive Committee Member
2012 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
Nominating Committee
Fellow
Fellow
2022 - 2023
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationPresident
2020 - 2021
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationVice-President
2019 - 2020
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationSecond Vice-President
2018 - 2019
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationTreasurer
2017 - 2018
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationSecretary
2017 - 2018
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association - Criminal Defense Lawyers ProjectChair
2012 - 2019
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationBoard Member
2009 - 2009
Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationPresident
Not guilty of all charges by Jury
Not guilty of all charges by Jury
Result: ACQUITTED BY JURY AFTER PROCEEDING TO TRIAL. NO JAIL
Result: Not guilty of all charges by Jury
7 years deferred adjudication. NO JAIL.
2 years deferred adjudication. NO JAIL.
Dismissed. NO JAIL.
Upon defense submitting argument, client was “no-billed” by grand jury (indictment refused)
Result: Upon defense submitting argument, client was “no-billed” by grand jury (indictment refused)
1997
Juris Doctor
1994
BS in Criminal Justice with Pre-Law emphasis
2018
Course Director: Unleashing Your Inner Beast
2018
Course Director, Psychodrama, Round Top, Texas, 2018
2017
Faculty
2017
Faculty
2017
Course Director, CDLP’s Beating the Drum for Justice, Tyler, Texas, 2017
2017
Course Director
2016
Sexual Assault-Cover to Cover
2016
Course Director
2016
Sexual Assault Defense
2016
Course Director
2016
Course Director
2016
Faculty
2015
Jury Selection in Child Sexual Assault Cases
2014
Course Director
2014
Course Director
2010
Ethics - Going to the Movies
2010
Closing Arguments
2009
Ethics in the Law
2009
Closing Argument and Demonstration
2008
Closing argument
2025
2025
2025
2025
2008
2008
English