$ 250-500 per hour
Vonnie Clay Dones III
About Vonnie
Biography
Vonnie Dones is a former criminal prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney's Office responsible for prosecuting and managing thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases. Dones' caseload was approximately 2,600 cases.
Dones worked as a Staff Attorney for the Earl Carl Institute at Thurgood Marshall College of Law representing juveniles in juvenile court adjudication matters throughout Harris County and surrounding counties. Dones provided legal representation to children who were in multiple systems including the criminal justice system, disparate educational systems, the mental health system, and foster care system. Dones also expunged and sealed criminal records for juveniles and adults and supervised student attorneys while working for the institute.
Vonnie Dones is the founder of . Prior to forming , Dones, as a legal assistant, assisted the Director of the City of Cleveland's Office of Fair Housing & Consumer Affairs (FHCA) in representing and protecting Clevelanders from consumer scams, fraudulent business practices, and unfair and unequal treatment in housing. Dones provided consumer protection in the following areas: Unfair and deceptive sales practices, fraud, new home construction, debt collection defense, landlord-tenant disputes, breach of contract, warranty disputes, refunds, home solicitations, home repairs and renovations, and contract cancellation. His experience with the city exposed him to countless complex and unique fraudulent business practices and inequities faced by consumers, which he now draws upon to help his clients resolve their legal issues.
Before receiving his law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Dones was signed as a recording artist with Violator / Def Jam Recordings / Polygram Records. He worked with Russell Simmons, Lyor Cohen, and the late Chris Lighty, which he now draws upon to help his clients in entertainment law. He signed an artist and label deal with Chris Lighty CEO / Founder of Violator Entertainment, who has signed and managed artists such as Sean "Diddy" Combs, Warren G, L.L. Cool J, Soulja Boy, Q-Tip, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Nas, 50 Cent and more. He was also signed as an artist with Marley Marl at the House of Hitz in Manhattan, New York. Marley is often described by many as the “inventor of sampling.”
Dones has worked in marketing, advertising, and promotion with entertainment artists such as Soulja Boy, Teirra Mari, Roscoe Dash, Trina, and more. He is the founder of a marketing and entertainment promotions and booking agency, which has been endorsed by Rick Ross, T.I., Meagan Good, Kevin Hart, Tom Arnold, Jay Mohr, Henry Cho, Whitney Cummings, Chris Delia, Bun B, Young Jeezy, John Witherspoon, Lupe Fiasco, Vince Young, T-Pain, Paul Rodriguez, Keri Hilson, Trey Songz, Mario, Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Mos Def, and more. Dones has over 20 years of experience in the music industry.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
25%-33%
Pro bono
10 %
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
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 withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 8 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 11 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 11 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 8 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Location
Legal Cleanup powered by Vonnie C. Dones III, ESQ.
10777 Westheimer, Suite 1100, Houston, TX, 77042
LegalCleanup.com powered by Vonnie C. Dones III, Esq.
43 West 43rd Street, Suite 47, New York, NY, 10036
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Vonnie Clay Dones III's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 32 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Lance | March 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Magnificent Lawyer
Mr. Dones got two serious felony cases dismissed for me after other lawyers I hired before him could not do so! His experience, knowledge, and ability to handle the cases went beyond expectations. I was stressed out and Mr. Dones came and got the job done. I was surprised when he told me that he got ...
Posted by anonymous | December 7, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent lawyer
I am so grateful that I found Vonnie. I went through a lawyer previously and talked to a few lawyers. Vonnie is very different from other lawyers. He was very sincere in listening to my story for a long time on the phone and he didn't mind back and forth anytime if I have to get hold of him. Each t...
Posted by anonymous | November 8, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Got the job done
I would definitely recommend Vonnie as he did exactly what he said he was gonna do and that was a Felony expungement for me
Posted by Bentley | June 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Great Lawyer
Do recommend A+++++ got me the money I deserved and the insurance company finally had to hear what I had to say thanks again Mr.Dones. A + + +++++++++++
Posted by anonymous | February 12, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Amazingly good lawyer! highly recommend!!!
I hired Vonnie to represent me for my rental matter. My rental apartment caused my health issue and I could not move in to live! However, the rental building is the nasty "Kushner Family"'s building (Yap, President Trump's son in law, Ivanka Trump's husband's company)! They not only pushed me out of ...
Vonnie Clay Dones III's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Dones is an extremely capable attorney. His knowledge of, and approach to, the law assure his clients of excellent representation. I am delighted to endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Dones is an extremely talented, knowledgeable and well respected attorney in the legal community. I recommend his services to anyone in need of a talented and aggressive litigator."
"Mr. Dones is a top notch attorney who fights vigorously for his client. Highly recommended!"
"I highly endorse Mr. Dones. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who produces great results in representing clients. Call him first with your legal problems!"
"I endorse attorney Dones. He is knowledgeable and passionate about criminal law."
"Mr. Dones has made a substantial number of contributions on AVVO. I have read several of his contributions and have found them to be thoughtful, informative and practical. I endorse this lawyer's work."
"Attorney Dones answers in this forum are consistently well analyzed."
"This lawyer is conscientious and dedicated in his representation. I endorse him for his work helping people who have been injured. He strives to get the best results possible for his clients."
"Keen attention to detail with exceptional client service. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Mr. Dones. It is obvious that he is knowledgable with the law he practices and cares about his clients. Mr. Dones is an asset on AVVO and to the outside legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is professional, knowledgeable and a zealous advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Attorney Dones' advice is spot on; as shown by the answers he has posted to criminal defense questions law, eh takes the time to answer questions in a common sense manner and plainly addresses legal issues."
"Mr. Dones consistently gives analytical answers in this forum. His responses are cogent, concise and practical. He wisely observes, when applicable, if pertinent facts are missing from a question and he notes how such might or might not impact a fuller legal analysis. All in all his responses are helpful, legally accurate, and well-articulated. I endorse this lawyer."
"Vonnie does a great job for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Vonnie has impressive client reviews that evidence his commitment to offering clients outstanding advocacy. ."
"I endorse this lawyer."
David Beyersdorf
Criminal defense lawyer
Erin Hargis
Medical malpractice lawyer
Philip Vera
Child custody lawyer
Christopher Martens
Criminal defense lawyer
Kelly-Ann Weimar
Child abuse lawyer
Scott Engstrom
Criminal defense lawyer
Rixon Rafter
Education lawyer
Richard Weaver
Car accident lawyer
James Lee
Contracts and agreements lawyer
Mark Clay
Immigration lawyer
Shan Potts
Immigration lawyer
Jonathan Lacour
Business lawyer
David Le Roy
Immigration lawyer
Alake Colwell
Divorce and separation lawyer
Dan Yakobian
Business lawyer
Scott Lemanski
Criminal defense lawyer
Laura Hoskins
Divorce and separation lawyer
Timothy Brown
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Webb Millsaps
Business lawyer
Deborah Blum
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2018
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2016
Client's Choice, Avvo
2014
Top Contributor, AVVO
2014
Clients' Choice Award, AVVO
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Attorney-Owner, Legal Cleanup powered by Vonnie C. Dones III, ESQ.
2019 - 2021
Prosecutor, Harris County District Attorney's Office
2018 - 2019
Staff Attorney for the Juvenile Justice Project, Earl Carl Institute, Inc. at Thurgood-Marshall School of Law
2006 - 2013
Founder, Vonnie Dones Beastblock
2003 - 2005
Owner-Manager, Dones Management
2000 - 2002
Legal Assistant, City of Cleveland: Office of Fair Housing & Consumer Affairs (FHCA)
1993 - 1999
Major Recording Artist / Producer / Manager / CEO, Haywire / Violator / Def Jam / Polygram Records
Associations
2017 - Present
State Bar of TexasAttorney Member
2014 - Present
New York City Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2014 - Present
New Jersey Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2014 - Present
American Bar AssociationAttorney Member
2014 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationAttorney Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Landlord-Tenant Eviction & Civil Suit
Judgement of $5,643.85, plus attorneys and cost awarded.
Conditional Sealing
Motion Granted
Trademark Registration
Trademark registered in USPTO
Breach of Warranty - Civil Suit
Client won settlement of $14,000.
Landlord / Tenant Case
Client won settlement of $8,000.
Auto Accident / Personal Injury
Settlement of $134,500.
Petition for Expungement
Conviction expunged
Education
N/A
Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
University of Houston
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2020
Trial Evidence
Impeachment / Character Evidence
2019
Post Conviction Relief
Expunction
2019
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Racial Justice & Equity
2018
TRIAD JP Court Program
Juvenile Legal Representation
2018
Secondary DAEP
Criminal Defense: Police, Arrests, and Interrogation
2018
Representing Juveniles in Court
Juvenile Legal Representation
2018
Record Clearing in Texas
Expunction, Non-Disclosure, and Juvenile Record Sealing
2018
Overview of the Juvenile Justice System Process
Juvenile Law
2018
Juvenile Representation
Juvenile Wrap-Around Legal Services
Publications
2014
Legal Cleanup: How To Expunge Your Criminal Or Juvenile Record In New Jersey, First Edition
Book
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I get something other than going to jail?
28 Mar 2025
Q&A
I will be getting ptd for misdemeanor theft can i get unsupervied probation? This is my first offense in the state of texas?
24 Sep 2024
Q&A
How can I get a felony theft expunged from 1996?
12 Jun 2024
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Sealing A Conviction or Criminal Record in New York
08 Jun 2017
Legal Guide
New Expungement Laws in New Jersey Effective on April 18, 2016
03 Apr 2016
Legal Guide
Shoplifting (Theft) in New Jersey
25 Dec 2014