Cynthia Russell Henley's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

47 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | October 24, 2018 | Criminal Defense

Blatant neglect of client as court appointed public defender

I have an ongoing case in court that will eventually end up being dismissed. I will screenshot the text messages I've sent to Ms. Henley to prove how blatant her disregard is for those the court appoints her to represent. It saddens me to realize that their must be countless amount of people who have... been literally neglected by Ms. Henley. If i did not come from a strong, industrious family there could have been a possibility that I would be serving a lengthy sentence for a crime i did not commit. Ms. Henley literally treated me like a bar code and would not give me any time to speak on what my options are. Instead she had the audacity to play the victim and say i was being abusive by merely following up on the case she has reset. I have asked Ms. Henley to request for the production of the documents and was abruptly told to hire my own lawyer. This is not acceptable and i am willing to take this where it needs to go to ensure no one else is represented in Texas by a public defender who is callous and has no empathy or compassion for her clients.

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Cynthia Henley

Replied last October 24, 2018

*EDIT: Since I responded to this comment, this client hired a lawyer and was sentenced to 100 days in jail for this offense. I was appointed to represent this client on a Class A misdemeanor charge of burglary of a motor vehicle that he got while on felony probation for robbery. After I was appointed to the BMV and while awaiting discovery (the items of which he complains that I requested but didn't receive during representation), he got arrested again on a resisting arrest charge. As a result, his bond was revoked on his BMV and he bond forfeited by leaving court without resetting on the resisting charge. He then contacted another lawyer who does appointments and told her that he was appointing her to represent him - but it does not work that way at all. The court appoints lawyer - and not while they are on the run with pending warrants. There is not a lot a lawyer can do for a client who repeatedly gets arrested and has warrants. The abusiveness was that his contacts to me were always in the evening and on weekends, including the weekend I was spreading my mother's ashes on my sister's grave after her death. He is right - his behavior is completely unacceptable and no lawyer deserves to be treated the way he thinks he should be able to treat a lawyer just because he is not paying for it. The court released me from representing him. He currently has 2 outstanding warrants and I've been informed that the State plans to file to revoke his felony probation. And he is lying when he says I told him to hire a lawyer to obtain discovery - I had not yet received the discovery on the case when he got arrested again. It was not a time to decide on options when I had not received discovery. (And notice that he posts as "anonymous". Because he knows that he has not fully shared the truth.)

Posted by Krismen Gooden | July 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Cynthia Henley

Excellent Attorney, she really helped me out and for a Court Appointed i couldn't have asked for better. I will also use her for a private attorney if i need one. She explained everything step by step never once did she try to rush me along!!!

Cynthia Henley

Replied last July 23, 2018

Thank you for your post! I enjoyed representing you and appreciate that you were able to communicate with me and follow my requests that resulted in the dismissal of your case. Client cooperation is so important. Best of luck in your future!!

Posted by anonymous | November 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family

Lack of follow up and investigation

We'd hired Cynthia Henley in regard to domestic dispute. After we paid, we really had no follow up with Cynthia. As a matter of fact, we had to repeatedly follow up with her to ask questions / ask her to dig deeper into issues. She repeatedly showed up 1-2 hours late every time we had a court date.... In our dispute, there wasn't enough evidence to continue the case forward, it should have been dismissed a long time ago. But Cynthia did nothing to try to resolve the issue. As a matter of fact, rather than try follow up on the lack of evidence, to talk to the opposing lawyer, to negotiate on our behalf - she literally did nothing. Once we called her to ask what was being done to our case, she had the nerve to lie and tell us that she was sick the entire weekend and was not able to do any work. She was not sick, her Facebook profile showed she was actually out on the town. Her only tactic (in our court case) was to keep resetting the court date. By her resetting the court date, it also worked in her favor as she continued to get money every month. We ultimately got tired of her antics and found a competent lawyer. He was able to get the court case dismissed with a few weeks. He didn't try to stall the court or us. He actually dug into the evidence and pointed out to us and the opposing lawyer that there wasn't enough evidence to continue the case. Had Cynthia done her job, our court case would have been dismissed a year before it actually was. At the end of the day, if you're going to be paying a lawyer to represent your court case, they should investigate what evidence there is or isn't, they should follow up with you and the opposing attorney, they should provide clear cut answers on what the status of your court case is and they should never give you excuses on how busy they are or show up hours late for your court case. You are paying them to do their job. You are not paying them to hear excuses about why they can't do their job.

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Posted by Manuel | November 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Dismissed Case: Trespassing

One of the best lawyers I've used, she was my court appointed lawyer when I managed to get myself arrested at court for missing court. Having no lawyer she was my court appointed lawyer, let me tell you that she knows what she is doing and does a darn well job too. She worked with the prosecutor and... managed to DISMISS my case for trespassing. She is straight to the point type of lawyer, would definitely recommend.

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Posted by William. | March 19, 2014 | Criminal Defense

Save my Life.

I had a theft case, that was originally charged as a felony. Of course I was concerned that I might be in a situation I could not afford or be put in jail. I contacted Cynthia, and she of all lawyers was extremely honest, and realistic with me from the gecko. The prosecutors kept changing dates o...n the case, and she kept working hard to lower the punishment on my case. Well going back and forth for about 4 months she was able to get them to resolve on a misdemeanor instead of a felony. Now I am trying to work on getting it sealed from record!! Thanks again Cynthia that case changed my life in a better direction.

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Cynthia Russell Henley's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Cynthia

Diana Sims

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Cynthia since I became an attorney 19 years ago. She is truly a force of nature in the courtroom and an outstanding advocate for her clients. I highly recommend this attorney."

Trayson Stephany

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Cynthia Russell Henley has a long track record of success defending the accused."

Stephen Nicholas

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer because she always takes the time to give the answer to questions in a well thought out manner, that is knowledgeable, as well as, caring to the questioner. Her knowledge of the law is outstanding and she will do research, if needed, to properly answer the question. She is also not afraid to correct any of her peers on any legal points necessary, and does so in a very positive and professional manner."

David Payma

Unknown lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Trinidad Zamora

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Cynthia is a force to be reckoned with. Her knowledge of the law and processes makes her methods and strategies second to none. Her presence in the courtroom places the State's prosecutors on edge, because Cynthia will take the time to guide less experienced advocates through the smoke of prosecution. One would do well choosing Cynthia to be their voice."

Armen Merjanian

Criminal defense lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have the pleasure of having Cynthia Henley as my designated mentor. I wouldn't be half the lawyer I am today without Cynthia's mentoring and guidance. She is a true believer who fights extremely hard for her clients. She knows how to beat cases and she routinely gets dismissals. I can't recommend Cynthia enough for you to hire her as your lawyer!"

Thomas Briody

Criminal defense lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Henley has the ability and the experience to quickly assess and solve difficult situations encountered by criminal defendants. I endorse her without reservation."

Karim Arzadi

Criminal defense lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A prolific and insightful contributor here at Avvo, Ms. Russell Henley's long list of endorsements indicates the respect she has earned among her peers. I endorse Cynthia Russell Henley."

Edward Le

Unknown lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. His advice and legal answers to complex issues demonstrate rare legal acumen seen in an attorney."

Michael LeMond

Criminal defense lawyer | May 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I know this Cynthia to be a knowledgeable and kind attorney who spends time offering free advise to help others, I endorse this attorney!"

Randall Kallinen

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Cynthia works hard for each client. She is knowledgeable and experienced in all types of criminal cases and not afraid to put the pressure on the prosecution. I would want her in my corner if I am caught up with legal trouble."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Other

"I not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!"

Adam Lahood

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Other

"I endorse Cynthia Russell. She has demonstrated a great command of both Texas Criminal Law and Procedure, and has demonstrated she has the knowledge and ability to fully, and zealously, advocate for her clients."

Kyle Tatum

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Henley's contributions and advice are always on point. She is an asset to this website and the legal profession."

Christopher Morton

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Cynthia is tough, smart, and tenacious. She zealously represents her clients and achieves excellent results for them. I wholeheartedly endorse Cynthia Henley."

Jonathan Adkins

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Her answers to the questions show her depth of legal knowledge."

Gene Sera

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Based upon my reviews of answers Ms. Henley has provided on AVVO. She clearly understands what she is talking about and what a client might be facing in Harris County. Calling her would be a good decision if you had criminal matters in the Houston area."

Peter Marek

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I would reccomend Cynthia to any client thinking of retaining an attorney. She is an avid contributor to the avvo community. Her legal knowledge is spot on. Give her a call first, you won't be disappointed."

Hovanes Margarian

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Sarah Kovoor

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have learned a lot from Attorney Henley on criminal defense strategy. Her responses on the Q/A forums are very informative. She is a well respected member of the legal community."

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Armen Merjanian

Criminal defense lawyer

Randall Kallinen

Civil rights lawyer