J. Stephen Toland

J. Stephen Toland is an Austin attorney at Toland Law, representing clients in data privacy, cybersecurity, white-collar investigations, and state and federal criminal defense law matters. He handles data breach response, regulatory compliance, crisis management, and parallel civil and criminal proceedings. He has argued jury trials in Texas state courts and managed contested federal matters across the US. He approaches complex cases with courtroom experience, strategic judgment, and a focus on protecting client interests.

Stephen earned his B.A. in History from Tulane University in 1994. He earned his M.S. in Communication from Mississippi College in 1995. He completed a Certificate of Legal Studies at UNAM in Mexico City in 1998 and received his J.D. from St. Mary’s School of Law in 2000. He later developed practical experience spanning criminal litigation strategy, legal research, privacy regulation and compliance, professional education, and federal and state proceedings.

Stephen is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and holds the CIPP-US privacy certification. He is admitted to federal courts in the Western, Southern, and Northern Districts of Texas. He has also served on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Western District of Texas. He serves on the State Bar of Texas District 9 Grievance Committee, reflecting sustained involvement in professional legal service.

J. Stephen Toland has received Texas Super Lawyers recognition and selection to The Best Lawyers in America for white-collar criminal defense. He has also been recognized as an Austin Monthly Top Attorney and named a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He remains active in criminal defense organizations and has taught, written, and spoken on criminal litigation, privacy, ethics, plea negotiations, and related legal issues throughout his professional career.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Toland Law
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Board Member, C-12 Austin Panel
• Former President, St. Mary’s School of Law Austin Alumni Association
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Justice Committee
• Member, Austin Bar Association

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• St. Mary’s School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Tulane University
  BA in History

Awards & Badges