Mr. Downey was born in Canton, Massachusetts. He attended Noble and Greenough School in Dedham Massachusetts. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University and earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. While a student in law school, Mr. Downey was chosen to become one of a select group of students to compete in national events as a member of the American Trial Lawyer’s Association (ATLA) Mock Trial Team. He obtained his law degree in 1993 and was one of a very limited group of applicants to be hired before graduation by the Trial Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office in Houston, Texas. Mr. Downey served as a trial prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office until December 1998. He is licensed throughout the State of Texas as well as in the federal courts of the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Downey is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Specialization.
While serving as a prosecutor for Harris County, Mr. Downey held a variety of positions within the District Attorney’s Office and acted as lead trial prosecutor in over 60 jury trials. He was selected to serve as the Chief Prosecutor in charge of two misdemeanor courts including the newly created County Criminal Court at Law No. 15. During his tenure, Mr. Downey achieved Assistant Chief Felony Prosecutor status and was responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of crimes including murder and other first-degree felony crimes.
During his last year with the District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Downey was selected to join the Civil Rights Division where he focused his efforts on the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement personnel accused of civil rights violations. He was a member of the Harris County District Attorney’s Shooting Investigation Team which was responsible for examining every officer-related shooting in Harris County in which a citizen was injured.
As a prosecutor, Mr. Downey worked closely with members of numerous police agencies including the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, the Texas Rangers, DEA, FBI, ATF, the Secret Service, the Internal Affairs Division and the Department of Justice.
To date, none of the convictions Mr. Downey obtained as a prosecutor have ever been reversed on appeal.
In December 1998, Mr. Downey left the District Attorney’s Office to establish his own firm. In June 2002, Mr. Downey founded The Downey Law Firm at its present location at 2814 Hamilton Street in downtown Houston. He devotes the majority of his practice to representing individual citizens and corporate clients charged with state and federal crimes. His office is staffed with additional attorneys who assist clients on a wide variety of other matters including, but not limited to family law, personal injury law and general litigation.
Mr. Downey undertakes all criminal cases with an eye toward obtaining a dismissal of all charges. He educates all of his clients as to the nature of the charges they face and the legal ramifications of any outcomes that might occur. Mr. Downey has successfully defended citizens accused of a wide range of charges including virtually all forms of felonies and misdemeanors.
Over the years, Mr. Downey has developed a strong working relationship with judges, prosecutors, members of law enforcement, and fellow members of the defense bar. He works hard to maintain a reputation within the community as a vigorous advocate for his clients and an aggressive trial attorney.
Mr. Downey is a former member of the Texas District and County Attorney’s Association. He is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas’ Criminal Justice Section as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association (TCDLA), and the Harris County Criminal Lawyer’s Association (HCCLA).
Additionally, Mr. Downey has appeared as a legal commentator on criminal matters for MSNBC, The Abrams Report, Court TV and the Catherine Crier Show.
Practice areas
24 years
24 years
24 years
Languages spoken
Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 1993 | 02/17/2022 |
Legal answers | 10 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Texas Super Lawyer | Texas Monthly Magazine | 2014 |
Houston's Top Lawyers | H Texas Magazine | 2014 |
Texas Super Lawyer | Texas Monthly Magazine | 2013 |
Houston's Top Lawyer | H Texas Magazine | 2013 |
Texas Super Lawyers | Texas Monthly Magazine | 2012 |
Houston's Top Lawyer | H Texas Magazine | 2011 |
Houston's Top Lawyers | H Texas Magazine | 2010 |
Houston's Top Lawyers | H Texas Magazine | 2009 |
Board Certified in Criminal Law | Texas Board of Legal Specialization | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Founder | The Downey Law Firm, PC | 1999 - Present |
Co-Director | Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory Serology Investigation Panel | 2007 - 2009 |
Prosecutor | Harris County District Attorney's Office | 1993 - 1998 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National College of DUI Defense | Member | 2006 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1999 - Present |
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | Member | 1999 - Present |
State Bar of Texas, Criminal Justice Section | Member | 1999 - Present |
State Bar of Texas | Member | 1993 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
TCDLA Rusty Duncan Seminar | "Jury Selection in Texas State Courts" by Lewis Dickson & Christopher Downey | 2014 |
State Bar of Texas, 39th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Instructing the Jury" | 2013 |
State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Instructing The Jury" | 2012 |
State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar 2010 | Caution: Jury Charges Ahead | 2010 |
State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | Subpoenaing Big Brother | 2008 |
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association/ DWI TOP GUN Seminar | Picking a Skeptical Jury in A Short Period of Time | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law | JD | 1993 |
Duke University | BA | 1990 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Jury Selection: Cutting the Bum Cards" | 2014 |
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association | "Picking a Skeptical Jury" | 2014 |
40th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Preservation of Error" | 2014 |
Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall | Legal Analyst | 2013 |
Indigent Defense Seminar | "Winning Before Trial: Voir Dire" | 2013 |
39th Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Instructing the Jury" | 2013 |
State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Seminar | "Instructing The Jury" | 2012 |
Harris County Public Defender Speaker Series | "Pretrial Preparation" | 2012 |
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Presents Voir Dire | "Voir Dire" | 2011 |
State Bar of Texas Avanced Criminal Law Seminar | Caution: Jury Charges Ahead | 2010 |
DWI Top Gun Seminar | Pretrial Preparation and Discovery of Unusual Evidence | 2010 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
State of Texas v. PS | Dismissed |
State of Texas v YY | Dismissed |
State of Texas v. Martinez | Dismissed on day of trial |
United States v. T.T. | Dismissed |
United States v. T.T. | Dismissed |
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July 25, 2021
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July 15, 2013
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November 2, 2010
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June 24, 2010
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April 2, 2021
Emily Detoto, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 3, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have been fortunate enough to know Chris for almost my entire career. He is simply one of the finest attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He is intelligent and has a way and ease in explaining complex legal issues. His intelligence is matched by his trial skills and that is a heck of a combination. To put it another way, not only is Chris, "book smart," he's also a "trial lawyer." I highly endorse Chris.
Phillip Baker, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known and worked along side Chris Downey for the past twenty years. I have watched him in the courtroom trying cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have seem him speak on various topics at legal seminars. Chris is highly competent and committed to his clients and loves the law. I highly recommend Chris to any one looking for aggressive and compassionate representation. .
Emily Detoto, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 3, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have been fortunate enough to know Chris for almost my entire career. He is simply one of the finest attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with. He is intelligent and has a way and ease in explaining complex legal issues. His intelligence is matched by his trial skills and that is a heck of a combination. To put it another way, not only is Chris, "book smart," he's also a "trial lawyer." I highly endorse Chris.
Phillip Baker, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known and worked along side Chris Downey for the past twenty years. I have watched him in the courtroom trying cases as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have seem him speak on various topics at legal seminars. Chris is highly competent and committed to his clients and loves the law. I highly recommend Chris to any one looking for aggressive and compassionate representation. .
Tyrone Moncriffe, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.chris is one of the best lawyers in the state. He is a warrior and fights with everything he has for his clients. He is highly respected in the legal community.
Kelley Andrews, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 2, 2010
Relationship: Co-worker
I began working for Chris Downey in law school. It was immediately apparent that he was unusually bright and unusually tough. Chris is not above going toe to toe with a prosecutor, an expert, or an officer if it means protecting his client and/or his client's rights. I was so impressed with Chris's style and ability that I decided not to apply to any other firms prior to graduating. Fortunately, he offered me a job in his office and I can safely say, there is no other law office that I would rather work in, or lawyer that I would rather work for, or with.
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