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Kerrisa Joy Chelkowski

Criminal defense Attorney at San Antonio, TX

4.3   6 reviews

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About Kerrisa

Learn Kerrisa’s areas of practice.

Kerrisa Chelkowski's law office is located in San Antonio, Texas. She is a former Bexar County Assistance District Attorney. At the Bexar County DA's office Kerrisa was assigned to the appellate and trial divisions of the office. During her time in the appellate division she handled over 30 cases including death penalty appeals. Within her first year at the office she handled Stewart v. State, a significant DWI case which found itself to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Kerrisa argued that case to the Court of Criminal Appeals in front of a packed house of more than 400 spectators with successful results. Kerrisa also argued numerous times in front of the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas.

During her time in the trial division Kerrisa tried many cases to juries and to judges of various courts. Kerrisa left the office in 2004 and started her own practice. She concentrates on criminal defense handling both state and federal cases. She continues to try numerous cases to juries every year with (so far) a winning record. Further, she has represented many people in the federal courts across Texas including defendants in the Southwest Airline case where the court dismissed the indictment against her client after filing motions and presenting arguments to the court. Kerrisa is also a Special Prosecutor for the Medina County District Attorney's Office.

Last year Kerrisa presented oral arguments to the United States Court of Appeals for Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Louisiana. The appellant's sentence was reversed and remanded for a new sentence. Kerrisa has also represented clients on writs of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Including both state and federal appeals Kerrisa's name is on over 35 published opinions.

In January and February of 2007, she was featured in NSIDE, a San Antonio business journal, along with other successful business people from generation X. Further, she is a contributing writer for the journal. Her latest article The $25,000 Martini, discusses the financial impact a DWI can have on a professional's life and career. A 1998 University of Texas at Austin alum and 2001 Texas Tech Law School graduate, Kerrisa has built a solid reputation defending high profile cases throughout Texas with successful results.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 20 years
State TX
Status Eligible to Practice in Texas
Acquired 2002
Updated 01/19/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact Kerrisa

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Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski
1017 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX, 78210

Reviews

4.3 / 5.0
  6 customer reviews
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Posted by James | May 19, 2014
A first-class attorney - don't call anyone else
The Texas DWI nightmare is something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy and you need first class legal counsel if you have any hope of it not completely destroying your life. Kerrisa is that counsel and I was extremely lucky to find someone as skilled and knowledgeable to handle my case. If you're unfamiliar with the DWI process, it has both DMV and criminal components that seek to permanently ruin you - Kerrisa understands the intricacies of both processes and will guide you through the legal minefield to get the best result in your case. DWI cases are set up to find you guilty and it takes a skilled attorney to fight your corner - even if you get found guilty, only a great attorney is going to keep you out of jail and minimize the ridiculous fines. Kerrisa is definitely the person to speed-dial if you're unlucky enough to end up in this mess - I wouldn't even bother calling anyone else. She knows how to negotiate with the prosecutors and judges to get you the best deal possible, and helps mitigate the enormous levels of stress and hardship that inevitably follow a DWI arrest.
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Posted by anonymous | November 28, 2011
DWI Client
Kerrisa was amazing! I found myself in a very unfortunate situation and I was panicked to say the least. Kerrisa made me feel very comfortable talking with her and she kept me informed about my options. We went to trial on a VERY tough case and she won. Everyone in the courtroom responds to her in a positive manner. She is professional, confident and knowledgable. I felt like she truly cared about me and winning my case. Most of all, she made me feel human! This was one of the most stressful things I have endured and she was there at every turn assuring me. The law is complicated and the process was cumbersom, however Kerrisa simplified things to help me understand. She looks sweet, and she IS, but do not let that fool you! She is DYNAMITE in the courtroom and she knows what she's doing. Her follow up was impecable. She is extremely genuine and I am very grateful for her service. It was also very clear to me that those in the court; criminal defense attorneys, the judge, bailiff, court reporters, etc. had a great deal of respect for her as well. I highly recommend Kerrisa for your legal needs.
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Posted by Mike | December 1, 2009
Superior Lawyer
Me and my family knew when we left Kerrisa's office we were in good hands. She took a horrible situation and made us feel at ease. She handled everything in such a professional manner and with great results. Her office staff was also very helpful and informative throughout the entire process.
Posted by anonymous | April 15, 2009
Aggressive defense
Very impressed with Kerrisa and very happy that my case was dismissed. I recommend her highly. Only lawyer that I have ever worked with that I would use again.
Posted by anonymous | April 14, 2009
Highly Recommend
She kept me informed throughout the whole process.
Posted by Daniel O. | August 21, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Review
I hired her in 2013 to handle a case and was not satisfactory, she took any easy way out she could find or excuse. You would think her being a former judge would make her more knowledgeable, but it doesn't she just kept asking for a continuance. She was not helpful in any manner and would have been better to go with public defender, for example most of the time I had a question about my case she was unavailable. I would receive calls more often about money than anything useful. After I payed her she was never in her office. I lost money, work, vehicle and my livelihood because she said my case was not important after paying her to take another case, bad idea she cost me roughly $7500 and that's not including court fees and everything else I had to pay to the courts, probation, and DMV avoid her and go else where. Also after three years she had my review pulled from Avvos' site by disputing it, so also if you want honest reviews that aren't held back I would start looking at AngiesList.
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Cost

Rates
  • Free Consultation 30 minutes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • District Court Magistrate - Part time
  • Bexar County
  • 2008 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski
  • 2004 - Present
  • Assistant District Attorney
  • Bexar County District Attorney's Office
  • 2002 - 2004

Education

  • Texas Tech University School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2001
  • University of Texas, Austin
  • BS - Bachelor of Science
  • 1998

Legal Cases

  • Valdez v. United States of America
  • Reversed
  • Jackson v. The County of Bexar

Associations

  • Heritage Foundation
  • President's Club
  • 2009 - Present
  • San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Board of Directors
  • 2007 - Present
  • United States Supreme Court Historical Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • College of the State Bar of Texas
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • Texas Criminal Trial College
  • Member
  • 2005 - Present
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • San Antonio Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Bexar County Women's Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2004 - Present
  • Hidalgo County Bar Association
  • Faculty Member
  • N/A
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • Spanish
  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2013
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2012
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2011
  • Lead Counsel Rated Attorney
  • LawInfo.com
  • 2011
  • Certified
  • Lawyer.com
  • 2011
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2010
  • Rising Star
  • Super Lawyers
  • 2009
  • Best Lawyers in San Antonio - Rising Star
  • Scene in SA Magazine
  • 2007
  • Best Lawyer in San Antonio - Appellate
  • Scene in SA Magazine
  • 2007
View all awards

Publications

View all publications

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (4)
Endorse Kerrisa
Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 11
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
"I've had the pleasure of working for Kerrisa on many criminal cases. With each case I work with her, I learn better ways to more effectively defend my clients. She tirelessly studies the law to always master any changes that happen in the law. When you see her work the case in the courtroom, you have no doubt she knows the law better than anyone else in that room. If you have the opportunity to retain Ms. Chelkowski you'd be remiss to look elsewhere."
Criminal defense Attorney | May 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a recognized member of our legal community for her insightful work on criminal cases and appeals."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 27
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. She is a superb lawyer in both intellect and court room presentation. If I were charged with a crime I would hire her to scrutinize the state s legal theory and fight every piece of evidence. She is a courtroom bull with a great client atty bedside manner. Every client I have met that has hired her previously has been beyond happy."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Criminal defense Attorney | Mar 20
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. She's an excellent attorney with superb trial skills."
DUI and DWI Attorney | Sep 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I met Kerrisa about four years ago and was instantly impressed by the approach she takes to her cases. Kerrisa knows the law and she knows how to handle herself in front of a jury. I have sat through one of Kerrisa's legal presentations and was thoroughly empressed. Kerrisa is certainly endorsed by the DWI Dude as a terrific attorney. Jamie Balagia"
Criminal defense Attorney | Aug 06
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Excellent Federal Criminal and Appellate Attorney."
Criminal defense Attorney | Jun 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer's work. This attorney is a firecracker in the courtroom and a help of an appelate lawyer"
View more endorsements
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense
Criminal defense

Avvo Contributions

This attorney hasn't created any legal answers in Q&A or legal guides recently on Avvo.

San Antonio Criminal defense Lawyer Kerrisa Joy Chelkowski
Kerrisa Joy Chelkowski
Criminal defense Attorney
San Antonio, TX
Licensed for 20 years
Free Consultation