Russell Henry Thomas Lorfing

PRO

Russell Henry Thomas Lorfing

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 16 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Abilene, TX
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Personal Injury

265 S. Leggett Drive, Abilene, TX

Virtual Consultation Available

About Russell

Biography

Former federal prosecutor with the experience you need by your side. Call today for a consultation.

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

*Voted Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Abilene for 2023 Mr. Lorfing is a trial lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and managing partner at Keith & Lorfing, PLLC. He specializes in federal criminal defense and high-profile felony cases

17 years | 1,000 cases

50%
Personal Injury 50%

*Voted Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Abilene for 2023 as determined by Community Votes, an independent and objective online voting platform.

7 years | 100 cases

50%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024 2023 2022
...
+ 1

Licenses

Licensed in District of Columbia for 12 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 2014

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Texas for 16 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 2009

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Keith & Lorfing, PLLC

265 S. Leggett Drive, Abilene, TX, 79605

lorfinglaw.com

Keith & Lorfing

1708 15th St, Lubbock, TX, 79401

lorfinglaw.com

Keith & Lorfing

206 W College Ave, San Angelo, TX, 76903

lorfinglaw.com

Keith & Lorfing

306 W Wall St, Suite 415, Midland, TX, 79701

lorfinglaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Russell online.

Russell Henry Thomas Lorfing's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

83 Client Reviews


Client Insights

Avvo uses AI to summarize reviews left for lawyers, providing a helpful overview of overall sentiment. Each summary is based on up to 500 of the most recent reviews and is refreshed upon submission of each new review. The number of reviews used may be displayed.

AI-summarized from Avvo client reviews

Clients consistently praise the lawyer for exceptional professionalism, expertise, and dedication, often achieving highly favorable outcomes like case dismissals or reduced sentences. Many reviewers highlight excellent communication, feeling genuinely cared for, and receiving strong advocacy during challenging times.

Showing 81 - 83 of 83 reviews

This Criminal Defense review may be relevant

Posted by anonymous | May 04, 2022 | Criminal Defense

Wasted time and flaked

I consulted with Russell via telephone and texting, various times, while he was on a vacation with his family. We were going to speak in person the following week when he came back to town. I felt confident that I had made the best choice and as a result, I quit searching for legal representation fo...r an issue that also included time sensitive actions that did not get handled in a time efficient manner due to me having to pick up my search for an attorney, once again. He said he would represent me personally since nobody from his office would follow up like they were supposed to when he asked them to do because he was on vacation. Once he returned, he texted me asking about our previous discussions like he did not know about one of my charges, which was the focus of the reason I needed an attorney in the first place. I reiterated that it was for two charges in my text response to him. He did not respond after that. The following day, I reached out to him again, via text, to see if he got sidetracked and forgot to follow up with me, if it was a case that was over his head or if maybe he got sidetracked and forgot to respond to me. I never heard back from him again. Don't let him waste your time too.

Posted by Collin Delarosa | March 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

This legal time Is Terrible

If you wanna call every week and consistently try to figure out what’s going on with your case call this place! Russell is a great attorney but his team is terrible the whole process of my case was draining His team never knew what was going on with my case I constantly got told they would call me b...ack for over a year! and even now 2 years later I asked to get a simple cover letter , and I’ve been calling every week for over a month now, someone finally contacts me today and wants to charge me $ just to email me a cover letter about the case they represented me on! Which is fine -No worries last time I ever recommend or reach out to this law firm.

Posted by anonymous | October 19, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Highly unsatisfied with “the best law firm in west Texas!”

The down payment was more than ideal in our situation, but communication was only available during business hours and not 24/7 as advertised. Communication was hit or miss and we spoke directly to russel Lorfing and he straight lied to us about an offer that was never on the table and also said he co...uld win our case if we took it to trial, but in order for this to happen they would need us to motivate them with finances. We came out of pocket another $1000 and then they withdrew from our case. Highly disappointed with our experience. So much for “best law firm in west Texas.”

See All Client Reviews

Russell Henry Thomas Lorfing's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Russell
Joseph Allen Strickland headshot
Joseph Strickland

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Lorfing has long been an outstanding attorney, both as a prosecutor and for the defense. There is absolutely no one I would recommend ahead of him in the areas he practices in."

Kristen Leigh Ayers headshot
Kristen Ayers

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Russell is experienced, intelligent, and caring. He is very passionate about representing his clients and going the extra mile."

Derron Reynard Parks headshot
Derron Parks

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 24

Relationship: Co-worker

"There is not a more tenacious fighter that you can have on your side than Russell. He is smart,, caring, and dedicated. He can negotiate when needed but is not afraid to take a matter to trial...and win! I have seen his work up close. Not only would I refer clients to him, I would hire him if I needed help."

Brian Poe headshot
Brian Poe

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Russell is a fantastic advocate for his clients! He tirelessly works to ensure that he has the best approach in every case in order to best serve his clients. I had the opportunity to work with him when we were both federal prosecutors and to consult with him on cases since we both entered private practice. Russell never stops learning because he not only wants the best result for his client, he truly cares about what happens to the client. His natural trial abilities combined with the passion he has for his clients sets him above the other attorneys in West Texas. I endorse Russell without hesitation!"

Jason Bryan Goss headshot
Jason Goss

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Russell Lorfing is a great advocate with a lot of experience handling both simple and extremely complex matters. Russell and I were at law school together and advocated with and against each other, and even back then and he was a fantastic advocate. After he graduated, he became a respected Federal Prosecutor, and he’ll use that experience to help you when you need it most. Russell has all the tools a great lawyer needs to get the best results for his clients. Highly Recommend him to anyone who finds themselves needing a legal bodyguard."

Dax Monroe Pueschel headshot
Dax Pueschel

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 02

Relationship: Friend

"Russell Lorfing is a hard charging federal defense attorney with stellar credentials and an unmatched work ethic. More importantly though, Russell is a devoted family man and friend. He cares about his clients, sees his work as purpose, and treats every client problem as if the problem were his own. Russell has a great attitude, works well with opposing counsel, is professional, and will go the extra mile. He believes in doing the right thing and treating others with respect and dignity. Russell has a way with people and strives to leave everyone he meets feeling good about who they are."

Yuri B. Nielsen headshot
Yuri Nielsen

Litigation lawyer | Oct 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A skilled Attorney and highly respected member of the legal community."

Robert A House headshot
Robert House

Appeals lawyer | Apr 03

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Joseph Allen Strickland headshot
Joseph Strickland

DUI and DWI lawyer

Kristen Leigh Ayers headshot
Kristen Ayers

Criminal defense lawyer

David Michael Guinn Jr. headshot
David Guinn

Criminal defense lawyer

Rick Cofer headshot
Rick Cofer

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael I. Ramirez headshot
Michael Ramirez

Personal injury lawyer

Chad Peter Van Brunt headshot
Chad Van Brunt

Criminal defense lawyer

Catherine Murawski Deist headshot
Catherine Deist

Military law lawyer

Kevin W. Willhelm headshot
Kevin Willhelm

Criminal defense lawyer

Jason Bryan Goss headshot
Jason Goss

Criminal defense lawyer

Brian Poe headshot
Brian Poe

Federal crime lawyer

Dax Monroe Pueschel headshot
Dax Pueschel

Criminal defense lawyer

Christopher Blake Wood headshot
Christopher Wood

Administrative law lawyer

Robert A House headshot
Robert House

Personal injury lawyer

Javier Francisco Rocha headshot
Javier Rocha

Appeals lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2023

Best Lawyers in Abilene - 2023, Community Votes

2023

Best Motor Vehicle Crash attorney in Abilene, Expertise.com

2022

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2021

Avvo's 2021 Client Choice Award, Avvo

2020

Prosecutor Achievement and Accomplishment Award, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Lubbock Division

2020

Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers

2017

Designated at Cyber Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney, United States Department of Justice

2016

Prosecutor Accomplishment Award, Custom and Border Prosecution

2015

Chief's Investigative Excellence Award, Internal Revenue Service

2009

Law Alumnus Award, St. Mary's Alumni Association

Work Experience

2020 - Present

Managing Partner, The Keith & Lorfing Law Firm, PLLC

2014 - 2020

Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice

2012 - 2014

Associate, Brock Guerra Strandmo Dimaline Jones, P.C.

2010 - 2012

Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General

2009 - 2010

Law Clerk, Texas Court Of Appeals

Associations

2020 - Present

Abilene Bar Association

Member

2020 - Present

National Association of Former Assistant United States Attorneys (NAFAUSA)

President

2020 - Present

Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Affiliate Member

2016 - Present

Lubbock County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

Texas State Bar

Member

2012 - 2014

San Antonio Young Lawyers Association

Director

Sample of Legal Cases

United States v. Dennis Hagan (1:08-CR-0058-H)

Case dismissed in the interest of justice

United States v. Strakele (1:22-CR-071-H)

Caes dismissed in the interest of justice

State of Texas v. JFF, a minor

NOT GUILTY

State of Texas v. Rusty Thompson (Cause # 012253) - Jones County

Not Guilty

United States v. Glisson (1:20-CR-069-H)

Case dismissed based on a 5th Amendment violation

See More Legal Cases

Education

2009

St. Mary's University

JD - Juris Doctor

2003

University of Texas at Austin

Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2024

2024 Prairie Dog Conference, Lubbock Texas

Busted by the Feds: Prosecuting and Defending Federal Criminal Cases

2023

Midland Bar Luncheon

Do Better: How to Win Cases, Make Millions, and Grow Your Practice

2020

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children law enforcement training - 2 hours - guest lecture

Why Meta Matters

2019

West Texas Banker's Working Group quarterly meeting - 45 minutes - guest lecture

Get Rich Quick: A Banker's Guide to Money Laundering

2019

Monthly Luncheon - 20 minutes - guest lecture

Digital Sex Crimes in the Age of Millennials: Cyber Stalking, Sextortion, and Revenge Porn

2019

Annual Meeting- 60 minutes - guest lecture

You Never Saw it Coming: Identity Theft and the Dark Web

2019

Annual CLE - 60 minute presentation - guest lecture

The New and Improved Search Warrant for the Digital World

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution