Ben Dodson Leonard

Ben Dodson Leonard

5.0
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Fort Worth, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Child Abuse, DUI & DWI

916 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX

About Ben

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 76%

I began my criminal defense pratice in early 2007 after working at the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office as a felony court attorney supervising four staff prosecutors. I have tried over two hundred felony jury trials of every type and from both sides from DWI to Capital Murder. Since beginning my career in criminal defense I have represented hundreds of clients charged with serious felony offenses including Capital Murder, Aggravated Assault, Sexual Assault and Robbery. Free Consult.

19 years

76%
Child Abuse 12%

I worked for five years as a prosecutor in the Crimes Against Children Unit and handled hundreds of cases and reviewed thousands. I have defended dozens of clients charged with such crimes and am uniquely qualified to defend this highly specialized type of case.

30 years

12%
DUI and DWI 12%

I have tried more that 120 DWI cases to jury verdicts.

30 years

12%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 31 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1994

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Ben Dodson Leonard

916 W. Belknap St., Fort Worth, TX, 76102

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Ben Dodson Leonard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (5)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Jennifer C. | February 25, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Sincerely caring

It's quite scary facing criminal charges. I have complete trust in Ben Leonard. He doesn't judge what you have done or been acuused of doing on criminal cases. He sincerely cares for you as a human being and does everything in his power to get charges dropped or lessoned to much lesser degree of offe...nces. I have had Ben Leonard represent me on 3 separate times facing felonies on most of them. Ben has worked very hard with the district attorney on each of my charges which has been 6 criminal offences and has kept me from all felony charges and kept me from going to jail even with a revocation on Probation. Ben Leonard is by far the best and most qualified criminal defense attorney in this metroplex. I will always refer anyone facing challenges to Ben. He has the upmost repect from me. I want to mention Rachel his legal assistant as well. Rachel is so caring and genuinely cares for each client as well. When I first met her I was talking to her in her office and she could tell I was worried. She took the time and comforted me by her words of encouragement and advice. I love both of them.

Ben Leonard

Replied last February 26, 2016

It is always rewarding to have someone say such nice things. I am pleased when we can deliver good results. In your case I knew if I could just make the DA see you as I do all would be well. I am especially glad you mentioned my legal assistant Rachel because she is such a shining star in the law firm. She is bright, highly educated in the legal field and a great source of information and comfort for our clients. We both wish you all the best!

Posted by Heather | December 20, 2014

Ben D. Leonard

Mr. Leonard helped my son get deferred adjudication and explained why he was not eligible for other programs the court has. He was honest, on time, informative, caring, easy to reach , personable and he was assigned to us by the court. If in the future if we should need his assistance we will gladl...y retain him.

Ben Leonard

Replied last February 26, 2016

Mine is profession where we actually hope not to have repeat customers but the fact that you would not only come back but feel strongly enough to recommend me to others is professionally satisfying. At this point, your son may already be eligible for early release from probation. Best wishes!

Posted by Ameet | February 14, 2014

Can't be happier!

I hired Mr. Leonard for a dwi and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges. Before hiring Mr. Leonard I had met with a few lawyers and he was the only one that made me feel very comfortable in achieving the best possible outcome for my cases. He by far exceeded my expectations, a...nd was able to get me better results than I could have ever imagined. He is very knowledgeable and his advice was invaluable. I can't thank him enough for everything he did for me.

Ben Leonard

Replied last February 15, 2014

Thank you very much. It was a pleasure to work hard for you and an even greater pleasure to achieve an outstanding result.

Posted by Brandy | February 12, 2014

Ben Leonard is an angel <3

Ben Leonard did an amazing job on my case he gave me a second chance he's truly an angel he is a very sweet person he help me get my GED and then he talk me into going to cosmetology school because that is all I wanted to do my whole life but I never could because I had no high school diploma but th...anks to this man he gave my that chance and help me clear my name so I could get a good job with out them looking at me like a Criminal THANK YOU BEN LEONARD FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID!!!

Ben Leonard

Replied last February 13, 2014

Thank you for your very kind words. I am pleased I was able to help you achieve your goals! Best wishes and God bless you

Posted by Racheal | October 9, 2012

VERY SATISFIED!!!

Mr Leonard tried a case for me and did a very wonderful job resulting in a conviction. It was a child abuse (sexual abuse) case and he kept me very informed and kept in touch with me about what was going on. I was the victim. Of course that was back before he went into paractice in his own office, ...but regaurdless of that he is awesome and i would tell anyone to get ahold of him.

Ben Leonard

Replied last June 11, 2015

This young lady had a rough time. I handled her case as a prosecutor and I'm so glad she has overcome so many hardships to become the person she is today.

See All Client Reviews

Ben Dodson Leonard's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Ben
Sherry R. Armstrong headshot
Sherry R. Armstrong

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jeffrey C. Kennedy headshot
Jeffrey Kennedy

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"It is my pleasure to endorse Ben Leonard. I first met Ben almost 20 years ago when he was a Tarrant County Assistant District Attorney. Ben is extremely knowledgeable in the area of criminal law and is well respected among fellow defense lawyers, prosecutors and the judiciary. With his extensive criminal trial experience, Ben is the "go to guy" if you have been charged with a criminal matter."

Gary Churak headshot
Gary Churak

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dodson is well versed in Texas criminal law and procedure and is an excellent lawyer"

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Ben. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Leslie Starr Barrows headshot
Leslie Barrows

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

George Dewayne Huston headshot
George Huston

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ben is a very talented lawyer, and was my felony court chief when I was with the DA's office. I learned a great deal from him and to this day I value his advice. He will do a great job for his clients."

David Everett Cook headshot
David Cook

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Shawn Wesley Paschall headshot
Shawn Paschall

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly. As fine a trial lawyer as I have seen."

View All Endorsements
Jeffrey C. Kennedy headshot
Jeffrey Kennedy

Criminal defense lawyer

Edward Eugene Castillo headshot
Edward Castillo

Unknown lawyer

William Jack Browning headshot
William Browning

Criminal defense lawyer

Shawn Wesley Paschall headshot
Shawn Paschall

Criminal defense lawyer

Larry M. Moore headshot
Larry Moore

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael P. Heiskell headshot
Michael Heiskell

Criminal defense lawyer

Stephanie K. Patten headshot
Stephanie Patten

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2014

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2011

Top Lawyers Of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas Magazine

2005

Crimes Against Children Prosecutor, Tarrant County District Attorney Office

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Ben Leonard, PLLC

2007 - 2010

Staff Attorney, Law office of Jim Shaw

1995 - 2007

Chief Felony Prosecutor, Tarrant County District Attorney

1994 - 1995

Criminal Defense Attorney, Law Office of Bill Leonard

Associations

2008 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2007 - Present

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2007 - Present

Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

1994 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

1994 - 2007

Texas District and County Attorneys Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Assault-Family Violence

Dismissed

Aggravated Assault-Deadly Weapon

Not Guilty

Capital Murder Prosecution - Tarrant County

Death

Capital Murder Defense - Tarrant County

Not Guilty

Capital Murder Defense - Tarrant County

Guilty of a lesser offense

Capital Murder Prosecution - Tarrant County

Death

Capital Murder Prosecution - Tarrant County

Death

Felony Jury Trials

various

DWI Jury Trials

various

Plea Negotiations

various

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Baylor University School of Law

J.D. (Doctor of Jurisprudence)

1991

University of Texas - Arlington

B. A. (Bachelor's Degree)

Speaking Engagements

2006

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Faculty Advisor

2005

Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services

Duty to Report Child Abuse for Professionals

2005

TCDLA Sexual Assault Conference

Preparing the Child Abuse Case

2005

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Faculty Advisor

2005

Advanced Trial Skills Confernece

Cross Examination

2004

Texas Department of Protective & Regulatory Services

Duty to Report Child Abuse for Professionals

2004

TDCLA Sexual Assault Conference

Preparing the Child Abuse Case

2004

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Opening Statement

2003

Basic Trial Skilld Conference

Faculty Advisor

2002

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Faculty Advisor

2001

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Faculty Advisor

2000

Basic Trial Skills Conference

Faculty Advisor

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution