Mark W. Bennett

Mark W. Bennett

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Houston, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, Appeals

917 Franklin Street, Fourth Floor, Houston, TX

About Mark

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Defense of people charged with felonies and misdemeanors across Texas.

31 years | 1,200 cases

50%
Federal Crime 30%

Federal criminal trials nationwide.

31 years

30%
Appeals 20%

Postconviction litigation of criminal cases, including direct appeals and writs of habeas corpus.

31 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 30 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1995

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Licensed in Colorado for 28 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 1997

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Bennett & Bennett

917 Franklin Street, Fourth Floor, Houston, TX, 77002

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Mark W. Bennett's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

83 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Administrative Law

Posted by anonymous | November 27, 2011 | Administrative Law

Felony - Handgun at Airport

I accidently took a handgun to the airport and was charged with a felony. I have never been in trouble before and a felony would be a disaster for my career. It was really important to me to find the best possible attorney with very little time. A friend and high level attorney recommened 3 choice...s with Mark being his choice if he had any trouble. I met Mark in short order and he was very helpful in explaning the process and reducing my stress. The case was no billed and he is filing for an expunction to clear the arrest from the record and negotiate with the TSA on the fine. I would recommend him without hesitation.

Posted by James | May 07, 2010 | Administrative Law

Outstanding Attorney, Outstanding Results!

With so many names to choose from, my careful research led to my decision to hire Mark W. Bennett. It was the best decision I could have made. My case was a high-profile, difficult one, taking twists and turns unforeseen by me. The media became involved and in addition, my professional licensing and... career was on the line. Mark was always one step ahead of the turns and very prepared to face the many different angles brought about by my case. He is an exceptionally smart lawyer. Another crucial point was my level of comfort and trust gained by this attorney. I faced some of the darkest hours and days of my life, but lived through them with the help of Mark Bennett. He made my personal case “our” personal case and never left me alone, uninformed in the shadows. My expectations for the outcome were high and Mark delivered. While I hope to not need his professional services again, I consider him a true friend and would not hesitate to recommend Mark W. Bennett to anyone. He would be my first and only call.

See All Client Reviews

Mark W. Bennett's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Mark
Paul Nicholas Saputo Jr. headshot
Paul Saputo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark is one of those lawyers that makes me proud to be a lawyer. His advocacy skills, his analytical skills, and his pure writing ability are something to which I aspire. On top of all of that, he is simply a treasure for civil society and the defense bar. His contributions are more important than most people in the public will ever know."

Shawn R. Roberts headshot
Shawn Roberts

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Integrity, Heart, Love, and Skill Review for Mark Bennett | Submitted on 4/29/18 (Review Pending) Mark and I were friends and he had helped me out prior to the case that is the subject of this review. In 2006 my girlfriend died of an overdose. In 2010, I was charged and indicted for Delivery of a CS F4. Mark Bennett selected a jury in Harris County on my behalf in front of a very hostile and myopic Judge named Denise Collins. Additionally the DAs Office assigned a “special prosecutor”-Commie Spence, and the trial was covered by all of the media with the point being that the only people who were somewhat on our side were the bailiffs who completely supported us after hearing the evidence. So Mark did an outstanding job in a hi profile, prejudicial, and hostile venue where it was clear that the Judge was just another prosecutor, but who was on the Bench, making it that much more difficult. Despite all these facts he got a not guilty on my behalf."

Fiza Syed headshot
Fiza Syed

Libel and slander lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paul Matthew Morgan headshot
Paul Morgan

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark Bennett is a great lawyer. He is an excellent mentor and a brillant advocate. He helped me with a couple of cases and his work saved a defendant from life in prison. Truly relentless and a force to be reckoned with."

Victoria Erfesoglou headshot
Victoria Erfesoglou

Criminal defense lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mark Bennett is the lawyer's lawyer. His command of the law, language, and creativity are inspirational. He is the mentor for all lawyers, new and experienced. I had the privilege of sitting second with him in a very difficult and draining trial involving a sexual allegation. He was tenacious, calm, and a rock for his client. He embodies professionalism and elicits huge respect in a courtroom. He is the lawyer I strive to be in the years to come. I endorse this lawyer."

Armen Gabriel Merjanian headshot
Armen Merjanian

Criminal defense lawyer | May 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mark Bennett is one of the most brilliant legal minds in Houston, if not all of Texas or the US. I had the opportunity to sit second chair with him on a trial last year and he was top-notch from jury selection to closing arguments. I am constantly seeking his advice on complex legal issues. All of this is evident based one him being honored as 2015 Harris County Criminal Lawyer of the year. Mark has raised the bar for criminal defense in Houston and throughout. If I were accused of a crime, I would hire Mark Bennett to represent me!"

Stephen Robert Baxley headshot
Stephen Baxley

Criminal defense lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I worked first against Mark when I was a prosecutor and later became friends with him when I saw the light and began defending people. In both situations, Mark impressed me with his vast legal knowledge and ability to see the core issue in complex cases. But equally important, Mark cares about his clients and goes above and beyond for them. I endorse him without reservation!"

Phillip Lawson Baker headshot
Phillip Baker

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mark Bennet is a brilliant attorney and a very thoughtful person. I have known and worked along side Mark for twenty years. Recently I asked Mark for help on a difficult case. Not only did Mark answer my call for help, but immediately took the lead and filed an appeal on my client's behalf. I value his friendship and endorse this lawyer without reservation."

Gary Don Peak headshot
Gary Peak

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark Bennett is one of the most well respected attorneys I know. He is extremely smart, dedicated, and I am proud to recommend Mark no matter how complicated the case."

Cory Julien Roth headshot
Cory Roth

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark is a mentor of mine in the Future Appointed Counsel Training Program. He is one of the most thoughtful, wisest, intelligent people you will ever meet. He is the most interesting man in the world in the criminal law field. He is an excellent attorney that achieves excellent results more often than most."

Anthony Edward Colombo Jr headshot
Anthony Colombo

Federal crime lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Bennett represented a mutual client. I reviewed his written work and the arguments that he had prepared and argued. It is some of the best work I have seen."

Randall Lee Kallinen headshot
Randall Kallinen

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mark Bennett is a fanastic trial and appellate lawyer who I have recommended to my clients. He carefully reviews your case and applies his vast knowledge of the law and exerience to your advanatge. If I was in need of a lawyer I would hire Mark Bennett."

Charles Allen Pelowski headshot
Charles Pelowski

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Friend

"Mark Bennett is one of the greatest legal minds in the state. He is an outstanding legal thinker and writer, as well as a zealous advocate for his clients. Mark works harder than anyone I know to ensure that he is constantly honing his skills and staying on the cutting edge of criminal defense. I endorse this lawyer."

Robert James Fickman headshot
Robert Fickman

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I don't know any lawyer who cares more about justice than Mark. Mark cares about doing things right. He has a highly developed moral compass. Mark truly cares about his clients and he fights very hard for them. Mark has a gifted intellect which he uses to his client's advantage. Mark is also a leader in the defense bar and a past President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association. If I was in trouble, I would want Mark in my corner."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Dan B. Gerson headshot
Dan Gerson

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mark is a brilliant and dedicated criminal defense lawyer."

Norman J. Silverman headshot
Norman Silverman

Appeals lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mark is a brilliant trial and appellate lawyer. He speaks and writes with the utmost clarity. Recently persuaded the Court of Criminal Appeals to declare Texas' online solicitation statute unconstitutional. The vote was 9-0 for Mark. He also publishes the number one criminal defense blog. Also, he is a well respected voice for ethics in legal advertising."

Feroz Farook Merchant headshot
Feroz Merchant

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark is very smart and believes in helping everyone (including fellow attorneys). Respected by his peers for his abilities, results in court and his time helping other lawyers become better advocates. One of the very best anywhere."

Jed Ross Silverman headshot
Jed Silverman

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jay Blass Cohen headshot
Jay Cohen

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mark is an excellent lawyer. He always takes time to help other lawyers. He is an asset to the criminal defense bar. I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Shawn R. Roberts headshot
Shawn Roberts

Criminal defense lawyer

Gary Michael Polland headshot
Gary Polland

Family lawyer

Jason Randall Clark headshot
Jason Clark

Criminal defense lawyer

Paul Matthew Morgan headshot
Paul Morgan

Criminal defense lawyer

Armen Gabriel Merjanian headshot
Armen Merjanian

Criminal defense lawyer

Taylor Allison Landis Jackson headshot
Taylor Jackson

Criminal defense lawyer

Cory Julien Roth headshot
Cory Roth

Criminal defense lawyer

Stephen Robert Baxley headshot
Stephen Baxley

Criminal defense lawyer

Phillip Lawson Baker headshot
Phillip Baker

Criminal defense lawyer

Brandon Elliott Ball headshot
Brandon Ball

Criminal defense lawyer

Victoria Erfesoglou headshot
Victoria Erfesoglou

Criminal defense lawyer

Donald Herbert Flanary III headshot
Donald Flanary

Appeals lawyer

Emily Munoz Detoto headshot
Emily Detoto

Criminal defense lawyer

Jay Blass Cohen headshot
Jay Cohen

DUI and DWI lawyer

Anthony Edward Colombo Jr headshot
Anthony Colombo

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Glynn Busby Jr. headshot
Michael Busby

Class action lawyer

Bart Charles Craytor headshot
Bart Craytor

Consumer protection lawyer

Roy Spencer Gilligan headshot
Roy Gilligan

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer

Theodore Charles Levy headshot
Theodore Levy

Gaming lawyer

Eric Turkewitz headshot
Eric Turkewitz

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2023

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Lead Counsel Verified, Lead Counsel

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Lawyer of the Year, Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Best Criminal Law Blog, ABA Journal

2004

Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Houston,

N/A

Not Guilty Verdicts, Various Felony and Misdemeanor Juries in State and Federal Court

Work Experience

1995 - Present

Partner, Bennett & Bennett

Associations

1999 - Present

Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association

Member

1995 - Present

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association

Member

2008 - 2009

Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association

President

2007 - 2008

Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association

Vice President

2003 - 2004

Fort Bend County Criminal Lawyers' Association

Member

1995 - 2013

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

West v. Georgia

Statute held unconstitutional. Case dismissed.

Ex Parte JCL

Two statutes ruled unconstitutional.

State of Texas v. SRR

Not Guilty verdict from jury.

United States v. MM

Case dismissed.

State of Texas vs. W.H.E.

"Not guilty" verdict from jury.

State of Texas v. N.M.

"Not guilty" verdict from jury.

State of Texas v. A.P.

Dismissal

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers' College

1995

University of Houston Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

Rice University

BA

Speaking Engagements

2013

Hon. Craig Washington & Sen. Rodney Ellis Criminal Law Seminar

Jury Selection

2012

In-House Continuing Legal Education

Jury Selection

2012

Advanced Criminal Law Course Jury Selection

2009

TCDLA Central Texas Criminal Law Boot Camp

20 Simple Rules for Better Jury Selection

2004

Criminal Trial Advocacy Class

Criminal Trial Advocacy

2003

Criminal Trial Advocacy Class

Criminal Trial Advocacy

2002

Criminal Trial Advocacy Class

Criminal Trial Advocacy

2000

STCL White Collar Crime Seminar

Bond in Federal Court

1999

HCCLA Galveston Seminar

The Action Method of Trial Preparation

N/A

Warrantless Arrest Workshop

Medical Records

N/A

Hearsay 101

Hearsay 101

N/A

DWI Seminar

Medical Records

Publications

2024

Bennett & Bennett Blog

2024

Bennett & Bennett Videos

2024

Bennett & Bennett Testimonials

2001

HCCLA Defender Apprendi in the Fifth Circuit

2000

Unknown Internet for Lawyers

1994

Memphis State University Law Review The New Federalism and State Court Activism

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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