Derek W. Israel

Derek Israel brings decades of law enforcement experience to his legal practice. Before becoming an attorney, Derek served as a Homicide Detective with the Austin Police Department, where he led numerous high-profile, complex investigations at both the state and federal levels. His work has been featured on multiple true crime television programs.

Throughout his law enforcement career, Derek also served as a Robbery Detective and conducted investigations into residential and commercial burglaries. He also worked in the DWI Unit as a certified Intoxilyzer operator and was an instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing.
Derek is a veteran of the United States Army, where he served as a Military Intelligence Interrogator and Linguist. He was stationed in Germany and deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq during the First Gulf War. He is a past commander of The American Legion Post 76 in Austin.

Derek earned his law degree cum laude from Texas Tech University School of Law. Prior to joining O’Connell West, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

Professional Experience

O’Connell West, PLLC

Assistant District Attorney, Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office

Austin Police Department – Detective

United States Army – Interrogator/ Linguist

Certifications

Mediator

Master Peace Officer

Standardized Field Sobriety Test (previously)

Intoxilyzer Operator (previously)