Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

4.6 /5.0

238 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(233)

Lawyers.com

4.2

(5 )

 See client reviews from Lawyers.com
Filter Avvo Reviews (233) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 231
4 stars 0
3 stars 0
2 stars 1 1 star 1
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense (161) DUI & DWI (132) Lawsuits & Disputes (25) Litigation (10) Expungement (9) Car Accidents (5) Speeding & Traffic Ticket (5) Domestic Violence (2) Drug Crime (2) Administrative Law (1) Business (1) Divorce & Separation (1) Gun Law (1) Violent Crime (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (185) Advocacy (155) Recommendation (114) Professionalism (77) Practice Area Knowledge (71) General Knowledge (57) Character & Conduct (54) Communication Style (54) Responsiveness (50) Trustworthiness (37) Cost of Services (31) Staff & Support (27) Compassion (22) Punctuality (11) Payment Plans (3)

Showing 51 - 54 of 54 reviews | Character & Conduct

Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2010

Excellent DWI Lawyer

Mark Thiessen represented me in a DWI case a little over a year ago. He was recommended to me by a couple of my friends who also had used him in their own cases and had been very pleased with their outcomes. To be sure, though, I met with several other attorneys who specialize in DWI cases, but in ...the end was most impressed with Mr. Thiessen. As a disclaimer, I completely understand the seriousness and potential consequences of driving after having a few drinks. I admit that I made a mistake and have taken precautions since to avoid repeating a similar mistake. However, I also know the public (i.e. lobbying and interest groups) pressure on police officers and DA's to pursue these types of offenses and cases. I believe that my arrest was more a product of this pressure than due to my actions on the road. Mr. Thiessen approached my case with an open mind, and after performing the initial due diligence and viewing the evidence, agreed that we should fight the charges. I had heard horror stories about how often I would have to show up to court and go through the usual delays and positioning tactics used by both sets of attorneys. However, Mr. Thiessen, party due to his direct approach with the assistant DA's, was able to get my case dismissed at my second court appointment. He was excellent at explaining the process, the steps that I would be taking, and even my rights. He also kept me informed of our progress the entire time, and was always available to call when I had questions. DWI cases are complicated, and an unfavorable outcome can have serious implications on a person's life and/or career. I believe that it is imperative to use an experienced lawyer with an impeccable reputation who specializes in DWI cases. Therefore, I STRONGLY recommend Mark Thiessen to anyone who is in the unfortunate position of looking for a DWI attorney.

Posted by Jason | March 24, 2010

Aggressive lawyer at Houstons best firm

I did my homework prior to interviewing/hiring lawyers and mark is well known as a dwi specialist who is great in court. I did not want anotet competent but complacent old lawyer who just tries to get you the best deal possible and cash your checks. This is not mark. He told me day one that he wa...sn't interested in getting me a plea deal... Just dismissal or trial. He didn't promise anything but I could tell immediatley and throughout that he was confident in his courtroom abilites and was almost relishing the idea of taking this case to trial. After several resets I got a Christmas suprise: my case was being dismissed. I am sure that marks reputation with the ADA had alot to do with this. These pretrial negotiations seem to be alot like a poker game. The Prosecutors knew mark wasn't bluffing and was holding the cards to win in trial. This is what I feel set him apart from lawyers I've hired in the past... Everyone knew he wasn't just fishing for a better plea deal and was happy to take this case to court. I read that he has the highest winning percentage of any dwi lawyer in Houston and would use him again and have reccomended him to everyone I know.

Posted by f | February 12, 2010

Outstanding

Although the experience of having a DWI case was not pleasant in itself, however the experience of working with Mark to resolve it was. Me and Mark worked on this case for about 1 year to finally walk out with a great success. From day one, Mark inspired a great deal of confidence. This was emph...asized by the respectful relationship he had with fellow lawyers at the court house and all the court staff including the judges. Mark always kept me very well informed and made sure I clearly understood all the options that I had. I am not at all familiar with the American legal system. Mark made sure to always clearly explain the process. My case was quite a difficult case, it was therefore a difficult decision to make to go to trial. I dont think many lawyers would've tried. But Mark studied the case very carefully, and finally came extremely well prepared. The trial days were in a way very impressive. Most people come with a plan A, and a plan B in mind. Mark had a plan C and a plan D. He simply was not going to lose this case. Everyone was really impressed by Mark's professional performance in the Court Room. You could see it in the eyes of the jury panel. Mark had the necessary references and knew all of them by heart. I learned so many things that day. The whole experience was great. It was not an easy case at all, and the DAs were really not letting go, quite the opposite actually. But plan A worked, and we didn't even have to go to other plans I wish Mark a lot of success. He is a gentleman with a lot of ethics and certainly puts the right focus when it comes to his work. He is already one of the most successful DWI lawyers, and in my mind, there is not doubt why

Posted by Abram | August 21, 2019 | Hired Attorney

2nd DWI

I hate to write this review being a loyal and faithful customer, I never missed a payment and I truly believe in my heart that this review is way overdue and needs to be told to the public so it doesn't happen to anyone else again. I hired Mark thiessen for a 2nd DWI and paid him $10,000 is what... he wanted. So I trusted him and his law firm to take care of my case. Long story short he took my $10,000 and told me it was in my best interest to plead guilty for community service. However he did give me an option to go to "trial" for an additional $7000 but said my odds were not good. $17,000 For a standard second DWI I believe is straight out ridiculous. I truly feel I got ripped off and ended up paying $10,000 just to plead guilty which I could have done for free from the very beginning. Smh 110% Do not recommend this Law Firm!!

Mark Thiessen

Replied last August 21, 2019

Mr. Abram Ayala, I contacted the State Bar and I am ethically allowed to disclose anything that is public knowledge. First, I have the contract with your signature and I dispute the fees that you say I charged you. As for my contract, you are right, I don't charge a trial fee unless the client chooses to proceed to trial. You did not choose to proceed to trial, so you were never charged any trial fee. Second, you came into my office charged with a DWI 2nd from 6/18/17. At the time you hired, we did not know what the video would look like, the offense report would read, or your blood test result. You hired knowing that I cannot guarantee an outcome but I would work every angle. You landed in Court 5 with Judge Margaret Harris. Third, you have prior convictions for Theft 04, Felony Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon 04, DWI 09, Possession of a Controlled Substance 3 <28 13, and had another DWI charge dismissed in 07. (Currently, you have a charge for Assault Family Violence 7/21/19). So, the DAs took all of that into consideration when evaluating your case. Fourth, prior to 2/2/18 when we knew Judge Harris would be gone from the bench for vacation, because she would have never accepted your plea deal, we discussed your options and you chose to plead to 30 days SWEWP program. Which is work duty for only 8 days: 4 consecutive weekends from 7am-3pm on Sat. and Sun. This is a deal typically reserved for 1st DWI convictions. Fifth, on 2/12/18 they tried to kick you out of SWEWP due to violations and I went to Court, and got the Judge to allow you to stay in. Sixth, I won your ALR hearing and your TXDL was never suspended due to the arrest on 7/31/17. So, I am sorry if I can't win every case. I spent 7.5 months on your case and properly warned you of the pros and cons of trial. You chose to accept a plea deal rather than go to trial. I got you a deal that wasn't even allowed by the Judge at that time, because of my knowledge and experience of the Judges and the Courts. I had to bypass the DAs offer because of your priors and proceed directly to the visiting Judge and argue for this sweetheart of a deal. I called you on the phone and asked you nicely to remove this post. I let you know that if you didn't, I was ethically allowed to disclose anything that is public record. I'm sorry you are unhappy. I feel confident that I got you a deal, based on your particular set of facts and priors, that almost no other attorney, if any, could have gotten you. I wish you luck with your pending Assault Family Violence. Have a blessed day. -Mark Ryan Thiessen

See All Client Reviews