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"I haven’t had to go against them yet. That might happen one day and I’m not looking forward to it."
– Co-Counsel
"I love them to death at this point."
– RH&A Client

Rusty Hardin

Partner/Founder
P 713.652.9000 | F 713.652.9800
rhardin@rustyhardin.com | vCard |

Rusty Hardin will tell you that choosing a lawyer is a very personal decision. 

If you’re going to go to war – Rusty’s done that – you better make sure the people by your side are those whom you trust with your life. Because your life, your livelihood, or the company you work for may hang in the balance.

If you’re up against the state and its prosecutors – Rusty’s been one of them – you need someone who knows how those prosecutors think and work. That will guide what they do and what you need to prepare for.

And if you’re going to have any chance at all of winning – Rusty’s done that more than a few times too – it’s likely to be based on your lawyer’s ability to investigate and gather the information that proves your case. Even the most passionate argument needs the facts to back it up.

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  • Education
    • J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1975
    • Bachelor’s degree, Wesleyan University, 1965
  • Court Admissions
    • U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
    • Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
    • Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
  • Honors & Awards
    • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
    • Named one of “The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America,” National Law Journal, 2013
    • Recipient, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, 2013 Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy Award
    • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
    • American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
    • Supreme Court Advisory Committee, 2009-current
    • Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
    • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Named one of “The 25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter-Century,” Texas Lawyer, 2010
    • Named a “Trial Ace” by Law360, 2015
    • Texas Lawyer Lifetime Achievement award, 2015
    • Ranked by Chambers USA among top Texas lawyers in both General Commercial Litigation and White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
    • Ranked nationwide by Chambers USA in Litigation: Trial Lawyers
    • Best Lawyers, rated in Commercial and Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2016-2024
    • Best Lawyers – Lawyer of the Year Houston area Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2019
    • Named a “Lion of the Texas Bar” by Texas Lawbook, 2015
    • Benchmark Litigation Star, 2013-2022, 2024
    • Consistently named as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters since the list began in 2003. Named to the Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers in 2018 and again from 2020-2023. Named to the Top Ten Texas Super Lawyers from 2003–2007, ranking second in the state from 2005–2007 and third in 2004
    • Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2022-2023
    • Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, 2021-2023
    • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2024
    • Lifetime Achievement Membership among America’s Top 100 Attorneys
    • “Attorney to Hire When You’re in Trouble,” Houston Chronicle, 2003
    • “Go-To Lawyer” for Commercial Litigation, Texas Lawyer, 2007
    • “Go-To Lawyer” for Civil Defense Litigation, Texas Lawyer, 2002
    • “Houston’s Top Lawyers,” H  Texas magazine, 2006
    • “Prosecutor of the Year,” State Bar of Texas, 1989
    • Founder, Texas People Against Crime
    • Yellowstone Academy Advisory Board
    • MADD Advisory Board
    • Order of Centurions, 100+ Jury Trials, Litigation Counsel of America