Joseph Adrian Esparza

Joseph Adrian Esparza

also known as www.txmilitarylaw.com

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at San Antonio, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Military Law, Appeals

1524 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX

About Joseph

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 60%

State and Federal Criminal Defense of all criminal charges up to and including death penalty capital murder.

60%
Military Law 25%

All levels of courts-martial criminal defense (GCM, SPCM, SCM), discharge boards, adverse actions, and other admin investigations and hearings.

25%
Appeals 15%

State, Federal and military appeals.

15%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 31 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1994

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Gross & Esparza, P.L.L.C.

1524 N Alamo St, San Antonio, TX, 78215

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Joseph Adrian Esparza's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

32 Client Reviews

5 star (32)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Erin | April 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

God forbid we ever need representation again, he will always be our stop and recommendation.

Attorney Esparza was not only professional, thorough, knowledgable and experienced. He was amazingly supportive and personally invested. We couldn't have asked for better representation through this stressful and insane situation.

Posted by Jeremy | December 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Strongly recommend Mr. Esparza

Mr Esparza was hired as my 14-year-old son's lawyer to fight an investigation into false allegations. Because of him and his due diligence to get ahead of everything being investigated. The investigation was dropped while still in the investigative state. I can't recommend Mr Esparza enough. He is ve...ry thorough, and personable. He was very professional and kind to my son and made sure he understood everything while working with him. You can tell he is in this business because he cares unlike other lawyers I have dealt with who are in it for the money only.

Posted by Danthony | October 26, 2024 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Great professional

Mr Esparza got my case dismissed in under a year and I had plenty other attorneys who couldn’t succeed at the task. He will also fight for you with everything he has.

Posted by Juan, Military client | July 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Outstanding Defense Attorney !!

I was accused of Domestic Violence in the US ARMY and facing court martial. Mr. Joseph Esparza accepted my case without hesitation even though this case had been pending for two years before he was hired. He wasted no time and immediately began working out all the details of my defense. He looked for... every discrepancy in the case and found every flaw in the system, demonstrating his expertise and knowledge. Having him as the leader of my defense made me feel confident and gave me security that I did not have in the past two years that I was struggling with. This case made me go through the worst moment of my life. Being Commander of a Military Police unit and with 29 years of service and about to retire, I felt lost and hopeless. I would lose my career, my retirement and my reputation. It was a total nightmare that I didn't know how to end. Mr. Esparza was far ahead of the prosecutors. He was definitely the person with the most experience and knowledge in that court and at all times he defended my innocence. Thanks to his expertise and experience, he made the decision to go to trial with a judge alone and not with a jury. At first I was hesitant because I thought it would be too risky to put my case in the judge's hands. But it was the best decision. The final result, not guilty, total acquittal, all my rights back and being reinstated back to my position. Mr. Esparza gave me my life back after 2 years of fighting to prove my innocence. Having Mr. Esparza in my defense was the best decision I could make, I cannot stop thanking him for his dedication and his responsibility in my case. I lack words to thank him for what he did for me. If you need an experienced attorney that knows how to fight for your rights, don’t look further, Mr. Esparza is that attorney. If anyone needs references about Mr. Esparza, I am more than willing to give my testimony.

Posted by anonymous | February 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

You’ve Found THE BEST!! - Look No Further!

Joseph Esparza saved my 18-year military career, but more importantly the dream of reuniting with my children! I am an officer in the USAF and hired Mr. Esparza as my Lead Defense Attorney when charged with serious crimes resulting from false accusations from my former spouse during a highly conte...ntious divorce. I went to a General Courts Martial. Overall result: Full Acquittal!! If you are reading this, you too may be living this nightmare….there is light at the end of this tunnel, and Joseph Esparza will lead you there. I chose the word “lead” deliberately, versus “guide”, “get”, “show” etc. From the moment Mr. Esparza took my case, he took the role as if the Captain of a ship. He was empathetic to all my concerns, yet had the leadership to direct me when choices got tough. Perpetually confident from his decades of experience , he could “read the waves” and knew precisely which direction to go before anything became an issue. He also led the military counterpart to my defense team (who was exceptional). When I first met with Mr. Esparza, I said “I think you are the right guy for the job”, and his response was, “Oh, absolutely I am the right guy”. Not in a conceited way, but a humbly confident way. Joseph answers emails, texts, and phone calls promptly. He never gave me the impression he was too busy to hear my concerns. Even with my family, who were not technically his “clients” he promptly answered. Joseph was by my side through an investigation, preferral of charges, an Article 32 Hearing, referral of charges, and a General Courts Martial. Overall time, about 9 months. Steadfast the entire time. If you are seeking the absolute best legal counsel, whether military or civilian, LOOK NO FURTHER! Mr. Esparza is worth every dime….a drop in the bucket vs. what you stand to lose. I am willing to speak with you personally if Mr. Esparza desires to give you my contact information. I’d take any opportunity to brag about his expertise more.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph Adrian Esparza's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Tiffany Nicole Shockley headshot
Tiffany Shockley

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Joseph is incredibly knowledgeable in all aspects of criminal and military defense. I endorse this lawyer."

Alfredo Lozano headshot
Alfredo Lozano

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"He knows his stuff...and passionate about having the best outcome for his clients. He is extremely knowledgable and experience in criminal law and military law matters. I endorse this lawyer."

Miguel Eugenio Najera headshot
Miguel Najera

Criminal defense lawyer | May 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Esparza is an amazing attorney with the skills and knowledge to fight for his clients."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Joseph. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Tiffany Lee Cox headshot
Tiffany Cox

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Joseph is very skilled in his practice area, and I feel very confident referring matters to him and to his firm."

Crista Marichalar headshot
Crista Marichalar

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Joseph is one if the most ethical and hard working trial lawyers I know. He is a great advocate for his clients. He is extremely knowledgable and experience in criminal law and military law matters."

Stephanie Graham Esparza headshot
Stephanie Esparza

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Clark Gross headshot
Michael Gross

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Miguel Eugenio Najera headshot
Miguel Najera

Criminal defense lawyer

Sharon Christine Thorn headshot
Sharon Thorn

Criminal defense lawyer

Tiffany Lee Cox headshot
Tiffany Cox

Employment and labor lawyer

Mario Del Prado headshot
Mario Del Prado

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Clark Gross headshot
Michael Gross

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Best Lawyer in San Antonio (Appellate, Criminal, White Collar), Scene in SA Magazine

2019

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers

2017

Top 30 DWI Lawyer in SA, Scene in SA Magazine

2016

Best Lawyer in San Antonio, Criminal Defense, Scene in SA Magazine

2016

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

2015

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

"Top 30" Criminal Defense Lawyers in SA, Scene in SA Magazine

2013

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyer Magazine

2012

"Top 100" Trial Lawyers in Texas, National Trial Lawyers Association

2012

"Best Of" Series - Criminal Defense, San Antonio Current

2012

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Criminal defense, Scene in SA Magazine

2011

Texas Super Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Texas Super Lawyers Magazine

2011

Best Lawyers in San Antonio DWI/DUI, Scene in SA Magazine

2011

Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Criminal Defense, Scene in SA Magazine

2010

Best Lawyers in San Antonio, Criminal Defense, Scene in SA Magazine

2008

Board Certified Trial Advocate, Criminal Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2007

Board Certified - Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Work Experience

2007 - Present

Partner, Gross & Esparza, PLLC

2002 - 2006

Judge Advocate General, United States Air Force

2000 - 2002

Attorney, Law Office of Joseph Esparza

1995 - 1999

Assistant Criminal District Attorney, Bexar County District Attorney's Office

Associations

2007 - Present

San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association

Member

2000 - Present

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Member

2019 - 2020

San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Vice President

Sample of Legal Cases

United States v. Karanikolas

Not Guilty, all charges and specifications

State of Texas v. Taylor

Life Sentence for client.

State of Texas v. Moreno

Not Guilty, client went free.

State of Texas v. Monroe

Charges dropped against client.

State of Texas v. Allmond

Charges dropped against client.

State of Texas v. Thompson

Life sentence for client

United States v. Hornberger

Government dropped all charges on first day of trial

U.S. v. Anderson

Not Guilty, all charges and specifications

Vanessa Cameron v. State of Texas

Conviction reversed, new trial ordered.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

University of Texas School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

University of Texas System, San Antonio

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Nuts and Bolts Course 2012

Criminal Jury Charges

2012

Gideon's Trumpet Seminar

Ethics for Criminal Lawyers

2010

SACDLA Cross Examination Seminar

Legal Ethics

2009

Advanced Pretrial/Trial Tactics in Criminal Cases

Competency Trials and Insanity

2008

HCBA Criminal Law Conference

Ethics for the Criminal Defense Practitioner

Publications

2010

Voice for the Defense (Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association) The Constitutional Right to a Public Trial lives on in Presley v. Georgia
Avvo Rating

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