Zimmermann, Lavine, Zimmermann, & Sampson P.C.

770 S. Post Oak Lane,
Suite 620
Houston, Texas 77056

Office: (713) 552-0300
Fax: (713) 552-0746

recognized every year from 2003 to 2009 by Law & Politics as a Super Lawyer (an outstanding lawyer who has attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement), published in Super Lawyers Magazine.

Jim E. Lavine

Terri R. Zimmermann

recognized in 2009 by Law & Politics as a Super Lawyer (an outstanding lawyer who has attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement), and every year from 2004 to 2007 as a Rising Star (one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state -- those who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less), published in Super Lawyers Magazine.

Kyle R. Sampson

recognized every year from 2004 to 2009 by Law & Politics as a Rising Star (one of the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state -- those who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less), published in Super Lawyers Magazine.

Tipping the Scales In Your Favor

Significant Cases

On this page you will find real examples of our lawyers making a difference in people's lives. We have fought at trial, on appeal, or in a writ of habeas corpus for each individual or organization listed, among many others. Each case is different, and we cannot predict or guarantee a result in any particular case. However, below are examples of some of the most difficult cases we have handled:

STATE CASES:

State v. Vickie Daniel, acquitted at trial of murder (Liberty, Texas)
State v. Billy Ray Clore, charged with murder; probation at trial for attempted murder (Houston, Texas)
State v. Patti Latourette, acquitted at trial of murder, judge ordered acquittal (Houston, Texas)
State v. Henry Bowen, three capital murder convictions reversed on federal habeas corpus; dismissed on re-trial (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
State v. Jerry Watkins, murder charge dismissed on eve of trial; DA convicted of extortion (Athens, Texas)
State v. Wanda Holloway, probation at trial for solicitation of capital murder (Houston, Texas)
State v. Clemente Bañuelos, cleared by state grand jury investigation of murder (Marfa, Texas)
State v. Gary Graham (Shaka Sankofa), represented on habeas corpus for 7 years of the 19 year effort to avoid death penalty for capital murder (Houston, Texas)
State v. Angel Maturino Resendiz, represented on hearing to determine mental competency to be executed for capital murder (Houston, Texas)
State Court, acquitted at trial of DWI, instructed verdict (Houston, Texas)
State Court, murder conviction reversed on appeal (Floresville, Texas)
State Court, felony DWI conviction reversed on appeal (Houston, Texas)
State Court, acquitted at trial of aggravated assault (Houston, Texas)
State Court, probation at trial for intoxication manslaughter (Livingston, Texas)
State Court, deferred adjudication probation for felony aggravated assault on pregnant wife (Conroe, Texas)
State Court, acquitted at trial of DWI (Houston, Texas)
State Court, felony arson charge against Sheriff's Sergeant dismissed on eve of trial (Conroe, Texas)
State Court, repeat offender DWI charge dismissed after motion to suppress evidence granted (Brenham, Texas)
State Court, acquittal at trial of failure to stop and render aid (Houston, Texas)
State Court, DWI charge dismissed after motion to suppress evidence granted (Houston, Texas)
State Court, lawyer defendant acquitted at trial of distribution of cocaine in less than one hour (Houston, Texas)
State Court, acquittal at trial of indecency with a child after first trial resulted in a hung jury (Houston, Texas)
State Court, mother acquitted of family violence assault of her 16-year-old honor student daughter (Houston, Texas)
State Court, grand jury no-bills of father accused of indecency with a child (his daughter and her friend) (Houston, Texas)
State Court, felony possession of controlled substance charge dismissed at first court appearance due to illegal search, arrest expunged (Houston, Texas)

FEDERAL CASES:

U.S. v. Andrea Sardelli, conviction for making false statements reversed on appeal; dismissed on re-trial (Houston, Texas)
U.S. v. Sheriff Darrell White, acquitted at trial of perjury (Houston, Texas)
U.S. v. Barry Atkins, acquitted at trial of bankruptcy fraud, judge ordered acquittal (Houston, Texas)
U.S. v. Steve Schneider, represented during FBI siege of Branch Davidians (Waco, Texas)
U.S. v. Billy Pyron, bankruptcy fraud sentence reversed on appeal (Tyler, Texas)
U.S. v. Betty Jordan, money laundering sentence reversed on appeal (Houston, Texas)
U.S. v. Clemente Bañuelos, cleared by federal grand jury investigation of civil rights violation (Pecos, Texas)
U.S. v. LTC Robert Morris, acquitted at federal trial of conspiracy to steal $7 million of government property; jury deliberated less than 45 minutes (Columbus, Georgia)
U.S. v. George Wilson, complex white-collar conviction and 20-year sentence reversed on appeal, charges ordered dismissed (Houston, Texas)
Federal Court, acquitted at trial of bank fraud, judge ordered acquittal (Houston, Texas)
Federal Court, bank fraud charge dismissed on eve of trial (Louisville, Kentucky)
Federal Court, judge entered acquittal on two counts, hung jury mistrial on 15 counts of conspiracy, securities fraud, and wire fraud of Enron Broadband Securities executive (Houston, Texas); after retrial, judge granted motion to vacate all convictions
Federal Court, jury acquitted on seven counts, hung jury mistrial on twelve counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, falsifying records of Duke Energy trader. Remaining charges dismissed (Houston, Texas)
Federal Court, twelve counts of bank fraud dismissed without prejudice on eve of trial; later prosecution declined (Houston, Texas)

MILITARY CASES:

Petition for relief granted, overturning airman's discharge and reinstating her to active duty (Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, Washington, D.C.)
U.S. v. Clemente Bañuelos, cleared by military investigation of murder and civil rights violation (Camp Pendleton, California)
Court-martial, rape charge dismissed at trial after motion to suppress granted (Ft. Hood, Texas)
Court-martial, acquitted at re-trial of rape (Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas)
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, attempted premeditated murder conviction reversed on appeal (Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, Japan;)
Court-martial, twenty-seven specifications of criminal charges dismissed after Article 32 preliminary hearing (Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas)
Court-martial, homicide of Iraqi prisoner charge dismissed after 6 day Article 32 preliminary hearing (Camp Pendleton, California)
Court-martial, acquitted at trial of violating a direct order, dereliction of duty, and false official statements (Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California)
Court-martial, twelve specifications of distribution of controlled substances, false statement, and obstruction of justice dismissed on first day of trial, acquitted of four specifications of violating a direct order, dereliction of duty, and conduct unbecoming an officer (Fort Polk, Louisiana)
Court-martial, aquitted of rape and indecent acts (Fort Polk, Louisiana)
Court-martial, U.S. v. LCpl Stephen Tatum, originally charged with murder of Iraqi civilians, withdrawn after 8-day Article 32 hearing; four specifications of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, and reckless endangerment, dismissed with prejudice on first day of trial (Camp Pendleton, California)
Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, carnal knowledge and sodomy with a child convictions reversed on appeal for unlawful command influence (Hill Air Force Base, Utah)

For further information about the criminal trial and appellate attorneys at Zimmermann, Lavine, Zimmermann, & Sampson please contact us today. For immediate assistance call us in Houston, Texas at 713-552-0300.