Rick Cofer

Rick Cofer is an Austin criminal defense lawyer and partner at Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, with more than 17 years of experience as a felony prosecutor, judge, and defense lawyer. He represents adults facing serious charges, including violent offenses, sex offenses, and other felony allegations. He also handles juvenile cases and matters involving clients with mental health diagnoses. He has tried more than 100 cases before judges and juries and approaches each matter with persistence and preparation.

Rick earned his B.A. with honors in Government and History from the University of Texas at Austin. He later earned his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. He also received academic honors including Phi Beta Kappa, Temple Scholar, Normandy Scholar, and LBJ Fellow distinctions. He built additional experience through political campaigns and policy initiatives while in school, developing familiarity with public institutions before beginning his legal career.

Rick began his career in private criminal defense before serving as an Assistant County Attorney and Assistant District Attorney in Travis County. He handled thousands of cases as a prosecutor, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. He also served as an associate judge for mental health hearings and worked as a Travis County mental health civil prosecutor. He started his own practice in 2018 and entered a new partnership in 2020.

Rick Cofer has earned recognition for his work in criminal defense and trial advocacy. He was named Best Lawyer in the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll from 2021 through 2025 and has appeared in The Best Lawyers in America since 2023. He has also received Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars recognition and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He remains active in criminal defense, bar, and trial lawyer professional organizations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Cofer & Connelly, PLLC
• Member, State Bar of Texas, Criminal Law & Juvenile Law Section
• Member, Colorado Bar Association
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Board Member & Fellow, Austin Bar Foundation
• Member, College of the State Bar of Texas
• Member, Austin Bar Association, Criminal Law Section Treasurer
• Member, Hays County Bar Association
• Member, Williamson County Bar Association
• Member, Highland Lakes Bar Association
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, National College for DUI Defense
• Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, Texas County and District Attorneys Association
• Member, San Marcos Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Blanco Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Licensed State

• Texas
• Colorado

Education

• University of Texas School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Texas at Austin
  BA in Government & History

Awards & Badges