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4.6 /5.0

237 Client Reviews

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5.0

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4.2

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Showing 66 - 70 of 71 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | April 04, 2010 | DUI & DWI

A Ringing Endorsement from A Lawyer's Harshest Critic [A fellow Lawyer]

Anyone reading about lawyers should want to know the results first. Mark Thiessen took on a case that was beset with difficulties all along the way and got a dismissal. That's a home run once charges are filed. When bad luck struck, I already knew the lawfirm I would contact: T & M was succ...essful in dismissing three friends' DWIs (3 for 3) so their reputation preceded them. Lawyers monitor and evaluate the progress of their fellow law firms and peers vigilantly. Yet still, some of the details of progression of the individual lawyer can be easily overlooked under the shadow of the "Firm name" they work for. What I found out when Mark Thiessen became counsel for my case was that right under my nose he had become amongst the elite lawyers in criminal defense; especially handling DWI claims. When you face criminal charges, it is an understatement to say you want a lawyer that is supremely confident and utterly fearless... If they fear trial then no DA will ever fear them. Mark has shown a willingness to take his cases to trial... and the ability to win them as the rule and not the exception. He must be nearing or over 20 trial wins with less losses than he can count on one hand. The importance of this cannot be underestimated. From the beginning he kept even a lawyer like me at ease in a stressful situation... He has that intangible in inspiring his clients' confidence in him. This does not mean he will blow smoke where the sun doesn't shine. To a lawyer that has the opposite effect. He gives it to you straight at each phase of the litigation that, based on the evidence and other factors at work, what he sees as the most favorable outcomes and explains how he plans to get there. He knows his turf. He knows how each judge operates, which courts have which DAs- who can be reasoned with, who are the stronger and weaker trial attorney DAs, what willingness they have shown to be flexible. He knows his law. No matter what the circumstances surrounding your case should be, he will not fail to raise the appropriate motions to give you as much as the law allows in the process. While some have settled with suspended licenses he petitioned for restrictive measures that would still allow me to drive freely if I didn't abuse the privilege. Once all the evidence had come in and it was time for the DA to make a decision as to whether to take my case to trial or dismiss it, in hindsight I will admit that the decision was a borderline-close call that could have gone either way for the DA. As a lawyer I am keenly aware of the reasons they decided to dismiss the charges against me. (1) Thiessen not only is willing to but enjoys taking cases to trial. If you hire a criminal attorney, you better hire one that likes "the fight". DAs like the fight and will bully on any lawyer that is shy to match that willingness. (2) When Thiessen does fight, he usually wins. When the DAs see any reasonable doubt in the case, they know which lawyers will take that and run with it. The DAs see enough cases to know how it will be likely to end up given the case and the lawyer. Most DAs in this county have been on the losing end of a trial against him. DAs know that if it is a "borderline" case, odds are he will find a way to win it come trial. (3) Thiessen shows respect and courtesy to his adversary No matter how good a criminal lawyer may be if he does not show the DAs and the court respect then they will not give any client a break... They will keep fighting you because they like the fight and they hate your lawyer. Thiessen gave them reasonable and sensible reasons why their case had weaknesses and because he has maintainted a rapport of respect and honesty with them, they listened. --- Anyone who will ever ask me "I have a DWI charge, who should I call?" so long as Thiessen is practicing will get the same answer. There's too much on the line to fool yourself into thinking any attorney will do the same job, or attorney X or Y could do just as well. I watch attorneys daily. I'

Posted by anonymous | March 25, 2010 | DUI & DWI

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 | DUI & DWI

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 Nathan | March 22, 2010 | DUI & DWI

Great reputation and great results

After getting arrested for my first (and hopefully, last) DWI, I was worried about losing my license and of course how it would affect my job. However, I found Mark, and the worrying ceased. Immediately, he got to work on several different angles that made me feel very confident about my case. Equ...ally important, I didn't blow so was very worried about my license, but he worked hard to get me my license back and got the ALR case dismissed! Seeing the respect he had of the other lawyers we would run into in the courthouse just furthered my confidence that I had chosen the right lawyer. Day of trial, the case was dismissed. Obviously a good result, but Mark would of loved to take it to trial and get a not guilty--just shows his dedication. Overall, he made a very bad experience disappear through his hard work, knowledge, and skill, and I would certainly recommend him to anyone who wants a similar outcome.

Posted by smc | March 22, 2010 | DUI & DWI

Gave me my life back

One never quite imagines getting pulled over after drinking and the consequences it brings until you're caught. And on top of that, one would never expect for it to happen twice. The fear is undescribable. The attorney I hired to handle my 1st offense did not fight for me in the slightest. He con...vinced me to accept probation and made it sound like we didn't stand a chance by taking it to trial. Because I trusted him and didn't know any better, I took the deal. The humiliation of checking in with a probation officer, taking DWI classes, wasting so much time and money, and the fact that the DWI will never leave my recored are all extremely frustrating. I never would have thought it could happen again. We (my parents and I) knew this time we had to hire a MUCH better lawyer-someone we knew would fight for me and wasn't afraid to take my case to trial should we get to that point. We met with Mark and I immediately felt assured he knew what he was doing. There were so many questions he asked me that my 1st lawyer never asked or brought up. Mark was extremely up-front and honest with me from the beginning, preparing me for the worst...which is difficult but obviously necessary. I had complete trust in him. After hearing that he was winning cases left and right, I knew that we had made the right decision. My video wasn't the greatest, in fact, it was much worse than my first, so I was extremely nervous and scared. Because Mark had been so successfull in other cases leading up to my time to take our case to trial, he was able to convice the DA to drop my case all together. I actually cried in the courtroom that day when he said the case was just dismissed. The relief is still overwhelming to this day. If you should ever find yourself in this unfortunate position, I truly believe you can put your trust in Mark. I would never recommend another attorney to handle a DWI case other than Mark Thiessen. His work ethic, track record, honesty and drive are outstanding.

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