Abilene sits at the crossroads of I-20 and Highway 83, with Dyess Air Force Base pumping traffic through town and a downtown bar scene that keeps local police busy on weekends. Taylor County courts see a steady stream of DWI cases, and the outcome of yours depends heavily on which attorney is standing next to you when the judge calls your name.
Here are six Abilene firms that handle DWI defense regularly, so you know exactly who to call before your court date arrives.
Bottom Line
The Law Offices of David M. White is the top DWI defense firm in Abilene right now. David White, a Texas Tech Law graduate, has earned recognition as one of the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and his practice covers DWI, criminal defense, personal injury, and traffic ticket cases. He offers services in both English and Spanish, a real advantage in a city with a growing bilingual population. Five more firms below also handle DWI cases across Abilene and Taylor County, each with its own strengths depending on your situation.
Abilene DWI Firms Compared
| Firm | Best For | Experience | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Law Offices of David M. White | General DWI defense, bilingual clients | Texas Tech Law grad, Top 100 Trial Lawyers | Also handles personal injury and traffic tickets |
| Morris Law Firm, PLLC | DWI clients wanting an established local defense team | 19+ years practicing in Abilene | Dedicated DUI/DWI practice with strong client reviews |
| Gravley & Leggett | DWI cases that may also involve a civil dispute | Practicing since 1981 | Two-attorney firm covering criminal defense and personal injury |
| Wilson Don L | DWI and drug-related charges specifically | Practicing since 1974 | Decades of focused DWI and alcohol-related case experience |
| David N. DeFoore, Attorney at Law | A DWI client wanting a single dedicated attorney | Magna Cum Laude, Texas Tech Law, Super Lawyers selectee | 5.0-star rating across client reviews |
| Law Office of Robert G. Clark | DWI cases needing an AV Preeminent-rated attorney | AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell rating | Handles DWI, felonies, and assault charges |
1. The Law Offices of David M. White
David White earned both his law degree and undergraduate degree from Texas Tech, and the National Trial Lawyers named him to their Top 100 Trial Lawyers list. His Abilene office handles DWI and criminal defense cases alongside personal injury claims like car accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death, plus traffic tickets and license suspension hearings. The firm offers services in both English and Spanish, which matters in a county where language barriers can otherwise slow down a case at the worst possible time.
Best for: general DWI defense, especially for clients who want bilingual representation.
Address: 1500 Industrial Blvd., Suite 303, Abilene, TX 79602
Website: https://www.txattorney.us/
2. Morris Law Firm, PLLC
Lee Ann Morris has built her practice in Abilene around DWI and criminal defense over nearly two decades, and the firm has earned a reputation locally as a dedicated option for clients facing an alcohol-related charge. Working out of the Industrial Boulevard corridor, the firm keeps its focus narrow enough that DWI defense stays a core service rather than an afterthought next to a dozen other practice areas.
Best for: clients who want an established, DWI-focused firm with nearly two decades of local courtroom experience.
Address: 2454 Industrial Blvd, Abilene, TX 79605
3. Gravley & Leggett
James Gravley and Kenneth Leggett have run this Abilene firm together since 1981, giving it more than four decades of history in Taylor County courts. The practice covers criminal law and DWI defense alongside personal injury, general civil practice, and creditors’ rights, useful for a client whose case might touch more than one area at once, like a DWI arrest that also raises a related civil question.
Best for: DWI cases that might overlap with a civil matter or a broader legal dispute.
Address: 402 Cypress St, Abilene, TX 79601
4. Wilson Don L
Don Wilson has practiced in Abilene since 1974, making his one of the longest-standing solo criminal defense practices in the city. His focus stays narrow and deliberate: criminal defense, DWI, DUI, and drug possession and delivery charges. Client feedback consistently points to a deep, specific knowledge of alcohol-related cases built up over half a century of practice.
Best for: clients who want a longtime Abilene attorney with decades of focused DWI and alcohol-case experience.
Address: 100 Chestnut Street, Suite 103, Abilene, TX 79602
Website: https://www.donwilsonlawyer.com/
5. David N. DeFoore, Attorney at Law
Raised on a ranch outside Anson, David DeFoore graduated Magna Cum Laude from both Texas A&M and Texas Tech Law School, earning a spot in the Order of the Coif along the way. His solo practice covers DWI, drug charges, traffic tickets, and divorce, and client reviews back up a 5.0-star rating across multiple platforms. Texas Super Lawyers has also recognized his work, and his background gives West Texas clients an attorney who genuinely understands the region.
Best for: clients who want a single dedicated attorney handling a straightforward DWI case from start to finish.
Address: 324 Chestnut Street, Abilene, TX 79602
6. Law Office of Robert G. Clark
Robert Clark carries an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review score an attorney can receive, reflecting both strong legal skill and high ethical standards. His Abilene practice covers DWI defense alongside felony charges and assault cases, and client reviews describe him as fast to respond and straightforward about what a case actually needs.
Best for: DWI cases where a client wants an AV Preeminent-rated attorney with felony-level trial experience.
Address: 104 Pine Street, Suite 500, Abilene, TX 79601
Before You Call Anyone
A DWI case in Texas moves on a tight clock. You typically have just 15 days from your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing, or your license suspension becomes automatic. Ask any firm you’re considering how quickly they can file that request, and ask whether the attorney you’re speaking with will personally handle your hearings, or whether your case gets passed to someone else in the office.
FAQ
How long do I have to fight a license suspension after a DWI arrest in Texas?
You generally have 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an Administrative License Revocation hearing. Missing that window means your license suspension takes effect automatically, regardless of how your criminal case turns out.
What’s the difference between DWI and DUI in Texas?
Texas uses DWI, or Driving While Intoxicated, for adult drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. DUI applies only to drivers under 21, who can be charged with any detectable amount of alcohol in their system, even below the standard legal limit.
How much does a DWI lawyer cost in Abilene?
Costs vary by firm and case complexity, but many Abilene attorneys offer a free initial consultation and a flat fee for a first-offense DWI. More complicated cases, or ones headed toward trial, typically cost more due to added preparation time.
Can a first-offense DWI be reduced to a lesser charge in Texas?
Sometimes. Depending on the evidence, an attorney may be able to negotiate a reduction to a lesser offense like obstruction of a highway, though this depends heavily on the specifics of your stop, your test results, and your criminal history.
Will a DWI conviction show up on background checks in Texas?
Yes, and Texas rarely allows DWI convictions to be expunged or sealed. This makes fighting the charge from the start, rather than assuming a guilty plea is the easiest path, especially important for your long-term record.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
