We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
PRO
also known as Gutheinz Law Firm, LLP
Joe Gutheinz is the General Partner in the Gutheinz Law Firm, LLP and is licensed to practice law before several courts, to include the Texas Supreme Court; the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th, 8th 10th and 11th Circuits, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. He is a former Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection; he is a former Commissioned Member of the Texas State Council on Sex Offender Treatment and is a Former Member of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Advisory Committee on Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments. As a college instructor, he has taught over 200 graduate and undergraduate Criminal Justice, Risk Management and Mediation classes for three colleges and one law school.
Joe has served as a consultant on aviation and space related cases for both the government and the defense. He is a retired Senior Special Agent with NASA’s Office of Inspector General and a former Special Agent with both the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General and F.A.A. Civil Aviation Security. He is a former Army Intelligence Officer and Aviator. For his service, he has received the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency Career Achievement Award, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, The NASA Superior Accomplishment Award, a Special Commendation from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal. He is a past top graduate (Honor Graduate) of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigator’s Course and a past Distinguished Graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center's OIG Basic Course. He holds six college degrees and eight teaching credentials, is a Certified Fraud Examiner and is a former Commercial Pilot.
Joe has been featured in two documentaries "Missing Moon Rocks" & "Moon for Sale”; he was featured on several television shows to include Oprah Winfrey Network’s "Unbelievable Mysteries Solved", History Channel 2's "Lost History with Brad Meltzer", BBC 2's "Stargazing Live" and eleven episodes of NASA's Unexplained Files on the Science Channel. On June 13, 2015, "Missing Moon Rocks", which is a documentary he both appeared in and was about a part of his life, earned an Emmy Award for best Historical Documentary. He is also the subject in a novel by Joe Kloc "The Case of the Missing Moon Rocks". Presently Joe is being filmed in a full length movie provisionally titled "Operation Lunar Eclipse"; this movie is about one of Joe’s cases when he went undercover as a NASA OIG Senior Special Agent. Joe is married and has six sons, two of whom are his law partners.
6
Practice Areas
27 years | 1,000 cases
27 years | 350 cases
24 years | 50 cases
24 years | 50 cases
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: Texas
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Showing 1 - 5 of 36 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Deborah | October 2, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I am extremely grateful for the work Mr. Gutheinz did on my son’s case. The charges were very serious (Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery), and there was even the possibility that he could have been tried as an adult. That was one of my biggest fears. Mr. Gutheinz worked hard to keep the ca...
Posted by anonymous | April 3, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I was charged with First Degree Murder, but my lawyer found case law that changed the charge to Manslaughter and I was given deferred probation. i have two kids that i will now be able to raise thank to Mr.gutheinz help
Posted by Jarome | April 1, 2024 | Hired Attorney
He's an excellent and experienced top notch lawyer. Very professional and gets the job done.
Posted by Francisco | February 7, 2023 | Hired Attorney
The lawyer Joe and his son Michael, were very helpful in my case with providing me any information I needed and kept me updated on my case. With this I want to thank, Joe and his son Michael.
Posted by Rene | November 4, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great lawyer, had serious accusations against me but he was able to get all my charges dismissed.
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gutheinz Jr. is attentive, knowledgable and a zealous advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this attorney, who provides so generously to the AVVO community and gives sound legal advice."
Appeals lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Administrative law lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Business lawyer
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
Consumer protection lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Education lawyer
2025
Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Texas Super Lawyer, Texas Super Lawyers
2021
Top Attorney Listee, Whos Who Top Attorneys of North America
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Distinguished Alumni Leadership and Service Award, California State University, Sacramento
2018
Listed in the 34th Edition, Marquis Who's Who in the World
2018
71'st Expanded Edition of Who's Who in America, Marquis Who's Who in America
2017
Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Marquis Who's Who
2017
Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2017
Client Choice Award, AVVO
2016
Listed in the 33rd Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2016
Listed in the 70th Edition, Marquis Who's Who America
2016
Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2016
Avvo Client Choice Award, Avvo
2016
Top Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine
2015
Nation's Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
2015
Alumni Hall Portrait, California State University, Sacramento
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2015
Top Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine
2015
Listed in the 19th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers Plaque-2014, The National Trial Lawyers
2014
Top Lawyers, Houstonia Magazine
2014
Listed in the 18th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2014
Listed in the 26th Edition, Who's Who in American Politics-Marquis
2014
Listed in the 32nd Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2014
Listed in the 69th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2013
Listed in the 31'st Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2013
Listed in the 68th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2013
Faculty Member, Alph Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society
2012
Speakers Honoraium, NASA Goddard Engineering Colloquium
2012
Listed in the 30th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2012
Listed in the 67th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2011
Listed in the 17th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2011
Listed in the 8th Edition, Who's Who in American Medicine and Healthcare
2011
Listed in the 29th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2011
Listed in the 66th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2010
Listed in the 28th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2010
Listed in the 11th Edition, Who's Who in Science and Engineering-Marquis
2010
Listed in the 65th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2009
Listed in the 16th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2009
Listed in the 7th Edition, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare-Marquis
2009
Listed in the 37th Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Business-Marquis
2009
Listed in the 64th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2008
Honorary Deputy Sheriff, Harris County Sheriff's Department
2008
Listed in the 63rd Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2007
Listed in the 15th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2007
Listed in the 8th Edition, Who's Who in American Education-Marquis
2007
Listed in the 25th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2007
Listed in the 10th Edition, Who's Who in Science and Engineering-Marquis
2007
Listed in the 34th Edition, Who's Who in the South and Southwest-Marquis
2007
Listed in the 36th Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Business-Marquis
2007
Listed in the 62nd Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2006
Listed in the 6th Edition, Who's Who in Medicine and Education-Marquis
2006
Listed in the 24th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2006
Listed in the 9th Edition, Who's Who in Science and Engineering-Marquis
2006
Listed in the 33rd Edition, Who's Who in the South and Southwest-Marquis
2006
Listed in the 61st Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2005
Listed in the 14th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2005
Listed in the 7th Edition, Who's Who in American Education-Marquis
2005
Listed in the 23rd Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2005
Listed in the 32nd Edition, Who's Who in the South and Southwest-Marquis
2005
Listed in the 35th Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Business-Marquis
2005
Listed in the 60th Edition, Who's Who in America -Marquis
2004
Listed in the 22nd Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2004
Listed in 8th Edition, Who's Who in Science and Engineering-Marquis
2004
Listed in the 34th Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Buisness-Marquis
2004
Listed in the 59th Edition, Who's Who in America-Marquis
2003
Certificate of Appreciation-Lockheed Martin Case, United States Attorney's Office
2003
Listed in the 13th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2003
Listed in the 6th Edition, Who's Who in American Education-Marquis
2003
Listed in the 6th Edition, Who's Who in American Health and Healthcare-Marquis
2003
Listed in the 21st Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2003
Listed in the 7th Edition, Who's Who in Science and Engineering-Marquis
2003
Listed in the 58th Edition, Who's Who in America-Marquis
2002
Listed in the 20th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2002
Listed in the 33rd Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Industry-Marquis
2002
Listed in the 57th Edition, Who's Who in America-Marquis
2001
Listed in the 12th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
2001
Listed in the 19th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2001
Listed in the 32nd Edition, Who's Who in Finance and Industry-Marquis
2001
Listed in the 56th Edition, Who's Who in America-Marquis
2000
Career Achievement Award, President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency
2000
NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA
2000
Listed in the 18th Edition, Who's Who in the World-Marquis
2000
Listed in the 55th Edition, Who's Who in America-Marquis
1999
FAST AWARD (Operation Lunar Eclipse), NASA
1999
FAST AWARD, (CAC Investigation), NASA
1999
Listed in the 11th Edition, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis
1997
Superior Accomplishment Award (Mir Space Station Investigation), NASA
1996
Special Commendation, United States Attorney's Office. Southern District of Texas
1996
Leadership Plaque, Omniplan Task Force
1995
Speakers Plaque (Omniplan Case), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners-Houston Chapter
1995
Letter of Commendation (Omniplan Task Force Investigation), F.B.I. Director Louis J. Freeh
1995
Certificate of Appreciation Presented for Speech, Association of Government Accountants, Houston Chapter
1994
FAST AWARD (Omniplan Investigation), NASA
1989
Certificate of Special Achievement, United States Department of Transportation
1989
Letter of Commendation, United States Department of Treasury
1988
Letter of Commendation, United States Department of Treasury
1987
Honorary Lieutenant Governor, Oklahoma's Lieutenant's Governor Office
1986
Meritorious Service Medal, United States Army
1985
Senior Rater Option OER, United States Army
1984
Army Commendation Medal, United States Army
1984
Aviator Wings, United States Army
1979
2nd Lieutenant Commission, United States Army
1979
Honorary Discharge, United States Army
2025 - Present
Board Member, South Texas College of Law Alumni Association Board of Directors
2010 - Present
General Partner, GUTHEINZ LAW FIRM, LLP GUTHEINZ LAW FIRM, LLP GUTHEINZ LAW FIRM, LLP
2020 - 2021
Member, California State University, Sacramento, Community Advisory Committee of the Division of Criminal Justice
2015 - 2017
Director, CABOT COVE PROPERTY ASSOCIATION
2014 - 2014
Adjunct Professor, Thurgood Marshall School Of Law
2013 - 2014
Commissioner, TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION 2013- TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION
2013 - 2015
Vice President, CABOT COVE PROPERTY ASSOCIATION
2009 - 2012
Board Member, TEXAS COUNCIL ON SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT
2004 - 2011
College Instructor, ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2004 - 2008
Board Member, Texas State: TCOMMI
2002 - 2016
College Instructor, UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
1990 - 2000
Senior Special Agent, NASA OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
2017 - Present
Veterans Advocacy and Benefits AssociationAccredited Member
2017 - Present
United States District Court, Eastern District of MissouriLicensed
2016 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Eighth CircuitLicensed
2014 - Present
State Bar of Texas, Government Lawyers SectionMember
2013 - Present
American LegionMember
2013 - Present
Alpha Phi Sigma-Eta Theta ChapterFaculty Member
2012 - Present
Pro Bono College of the State Bar of TexasMember
2010 - Present
Galveston Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Brazoria County Bar AssociationMember
2008 - Present
Pro Bono College of the State Bar of TexasMember
2008 - Present
State Bar of Texas, Aviation Law SectionBoard Member (2008)
2007 - Present
St. Thomas More SocietyAffiliate Member
2001 - Present
United States Supreme CourtLicensed
2000 - Present
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
1998 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitLicensed
1998 - Present
United States Court of Veterans AppealsLicensed
1998 - Present
United States Court of Armed Forces AppealsLicensed
1998 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the tenth CircuitLicensed
1998 - Present
United States Court of Appeals, Federal CircuitLicensed
1998 - Present
United States Tax CourtLicensed
1997 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of TexasLicensed
1997 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth CircuitLicensed
1997 - Present
State Bar of TexasLicensed
1996 - Present
Federal Law Enforcement Officers AssociationMember
1995 - Present
Phi Alpha DeltaMember
1990 - Present
Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersCertified Fraud Examiner
2013 - 2014
Fort Bend County Bar AssociationMember
2011 - 2012
National Transportation Safety Board Bar AssociationMember
1978 - 1978
California State University Sacramento, Criminal Justice Department Student CouncilMember
1977 - 1979
Citizen's for Fair Tax FundingPresident
Directed Verdict of Not Guilty
Dismissed
Dismissed
Not Guilty
No Billed
No Billed
Conducted investigation of Government's case and submitted grand jury packet. On eve of grand jury hearing the case was dismissed.
Non-Disclosure Granted
Dismissed
Dismissed
No Billed
Won
Succesful outcome.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed
Case dismissed.
Appeal Granted & Case Dismissed
Dismissed
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Probation reinstated.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed
Cases Dismissed.
Probation reinstated.
Case Dismissed
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Appeal Granted
No Bill
Child Custody and Possession Ordered
Grand Jury No Billed Case
Protective Order Denied
Not Guilty-Record Expunged
Jury Verdict in Favor of Plaintiff
Direct Verdict of Not Responsible (Not Guilty)
Moon Rock Forfeited to United States and Returned to Honduras
Substantial settlement in favor of the United States Government
Boeing North America and United Space Alliance paid a settlement in excess of 2 million dollars.
7 companies were put out of business, 5 after being convicted of felonies. 5 individuals were convicted of crimes to include Omniplan owner Ralph Montijo who was indicted on 270 felony count and convicted of 179 felonies
1996
JD - Juris Doctor
1986
Teaching Credential
1986
Teaching Credential
1984
MS - Master of Science
1982
Teaching Credential
1980
Teaching Credential
1979
MA - Masters (Distinguished Alumni)
1979
Teaching Credential
1979
Teaching Credential
1978
BA - Bachelor of Arts (Distinguished Alumni)
1974
AS-Associate of Science
1974
AA-Associate of Arts
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2024
2024
2023
2023
2022
2019
2019
2019
Gutheinz Discusses the Importance of Finding Water in Space
2019
NASA; Season 6 Episode 7
2019
NASA; Season 6 Episode 6
2019
NASA; Season 6 Episode 4
2019
2019
2019
2019
Omniplan Investigation
2018
2018
2018
Operation Lunar Eclipse and the Moon Rock Project
2018
Russian and Mir Space Station Investigations
2018
2017
2017
2017
Astronaut Mystery Special
2017
2017
Stealing Space: Defrauding NASA
2016
2016
2016
Did Earth Have Two Moons. Retired NASA OIG SSA Gutheinz talked about the Spartain satelite.
2016
The Earth Next Door: SSA Gutheinz's Mir Fire Investigation and PAR Theft Case
2016
A President's Close Encounters: SSA Gutheinz's Mir Collision Case.
2016
Rise of the Planet Killers; Retired NASA OIG SSA and former Army Intelligence Officer Gutheinz discusses NASA's espionage exposure.
2016
Space Deadliest Moments
2016
Attack of the Thunderballs: SSA Gutheinz's Undercover Investigation, Operation Lunar Eclipse.
2016
Red Storm Rising
2016
Ghost of a Comet
2016
Return of the Moon Bugs
2016
Curse of the Red Planet
2016
2015
Operation Lunar Eclipse
2015
Missing Moon Rocks
2015
2014
2014
2013
2013
2013
Introduction to Space Law
2012
2012
Unbelievable Mysteries Solved: This show focuses on one of Joe's graduate students successful efforts to locate the West Virginia Goodwill Moon Rock as part of Joe Gutheinz's Moon Rock Project.
2012
2012
2012
Missing Moon Rocks
2012
Missing Moon Rocks
2012
Gary Mckinnon (Hacker-Extradition Case)
2012
2011
2011
2011
2010
2009
Gary McKinnon Extradition
2009
Airline Passenger Bill of Rights
2009
Grand Jury Reform
2009
Canadian Apollo 17 Goodwill Moon Rock
2009
2008
Half of American MD-80's to fly by Monday
2008
Significant NASA Cases
2008
Go Airline Pilot's Fall Asleep in Flight
2008
2007
Expert Says Marsalis Success as Impostor Not Unprecedented
2007
2007
Mock Trial
2004
2001
Lease Back Schemes
2000
1999
Significant NASA cases.
1995
Omniplan Investigation
1995
Omniplan Investigation
1995
Omniplan Investigation
1993
Omniplan Indictment
1989
New Denver Airport-Investigation
1983
Briefing Officer (Intelligence) to Vll U.S. Corps Command and Staff
1983
Terrorist Threat Europe
1981
Whatever Happened to the Human Race-Discussion (Hosted by Lt Gutheinz)
2017
2012
2011
2010
2010
2010
2009
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2007
2007
2005
2005
2004
2004
2004
1979
English
Legal Answers
How do I report someone driving a vehicle that has a 2 yr old registration and inspection sticker?
26 Dec 2015
How long does an expungement take from start to finish in Texas? Does it easily show up in criminal background checks in Texas?
27 Dec 2015
Plead guilty for Public Intox - class c misdemeanor Houston, can i do anything about it? I plan on applying to graduate schools.
17 Jan 2014