Douglas E. Huff

Meet Douglas

The Catcher in the Rye

There’s a passage in a book I read a long time ago that changed my life. Holden Caulfield is talking about standing at the edge of a cliff, watching thousands of kids running through a field of rye. They’re not paying attention. They don’t see the edge. And all he wants to do is catch them before they go over.

That image has stayed with me for decades. It’s why I became a criminal defense attorney.

Because here’s what I know after more than a decade of trying cases across Texas, from misdemeanor thefts to capital murder: most of the people who walk into my office aren’t bad people. They’re people who were running through the field and didn’t see the edge. A DWI arrest. A drug charge. An accusation that came out of nowhere. And now they’re falling—and they need someone to catch them.

That’s what I do. Every single day.

 

Steel Country

I was born in Warren, Ohio, and raised in the Appalachian hill country of southwestern Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh. My family has lived in that area for generations—farmers, coal miners, steel workers. Hard people who did hard work and didn’t complain about it.

I was a proud Mount Pleasant Viking, attending Mount Pleasant Area Junior–Senior High School. If you know anything about small-town western Pennsylvania, you know it’s the kind of place where you learn to work with your hands, look people in the eye, and keep your word. Those aren’t things I read in a self-help book. They’re in my blood.

After high school, I didn’t go straight to college. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet—but I knew I wanted to serve. So I enlisted in the United States Army.

 

A Soldier First

I served four years in the U.S. Army. During that time, I was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. My last duty station brought me to Texas—Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos—and I received an honorable discharge after completing my full term of service.

The military taught me things that no law school ever could. Discipline. Preparation. The understanding that when it’s time to execute, you don’t get a second chance to be ready. That’s how I approach every case I take: prepare like your life depends on it, because for my client, it does.

After the Army, I relocated to Austin. I wasn’t done building my career—I was just getting started.

 

The Road That Made Me Different

My path to the courtroom wasn’t a straight line. And honestly, that’s one of the best things about me as your attorney.

After the Army, I spent years working in business sales for major technology companies—Dell Computers, XO Communications, Time Warner—while earning my undergraduate degree at St. Edward’s University in Austin. Go Hilltoppers.

Then I went to law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio. I also completed my MBA through the Florida Institute of Technology, because I wanted to understand not just how law works, but how the business of justice works.

Here’s why that matters for you: I’ve lived in the real world. I’ve had jobs. I’ve worked for companies. I’ve managed budgets and sold products and dealt with people from every walk of life. When you sit across from me and tell me you’re worried about how a DWI is going to affect your career, your security clearance, your ability to provide for your family—I don’t just understand the legal implications. I understand the human ones. Because I’ve been out there.

My first DWI case came during law school, in the criminal defense clinic at the University of Texas School of Law. From that very first case, I knew this was what I was meant to do.

 

From Public Defender to Partner

After law school, I worked at Barbri—the organization that helps law students prepare for and pass state bar exams. During that time, I didn’t just pass the Texas Bar. I sat and passed the Oklahoma Bar, too.

Then I opened my own practice: The Law Office of Douglas E. Huff in Dallas. I represented clients charged with everything from misdemeanors to felonies. I learned how to run a case, manage a docket, and fight for people who had nowhere else to turn.

In 2013, I made a decision that surprised a lot of people. I closed my private practice and accepted a position with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office. Why would a practicing attorney take a pay cut to go work as a public defender? Because I wanted to be in the courtroom. Every day. Trying cases. I served as lead attorney in dozens of DWI trials and other misdemeanor cases. I ran evidentiary hearings, handled felony trials, and fought for clients who couldn’t afford to hire anyone.

That experience sharpened me into the trial attorney I am today.

In 2016, I joined Deandra Grant Law. In 2021, I became a partner. Today, I serve as Partner and Chief of the Criminal Division, overseeing the firm’s criminal defense practice across the state of Texas. I’ve tried cases from misdemeanor thefts to murder—and I bring the same preparation and intensity to every single one.

 

I Don’t Just Fight the Evidence. I Understand It.

One of the things that sets Deandra Grant Law apart—and one of the things that sets me apart—is our commitment to understanding the science behind DWI cases, not just the law.

I earned the Lawyer-Scientist designation from the American Chemical Society after completing intensive coursework at Axion Labs in Chicago in Forensic Chromatography, Forensic Drug Analysis, and Forensic Driving Under the Influence of Drugs. This is the same training that certifies competence in the forensic science used to convict people of DWI.

I’ve also completed the NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST) student course—the same program police officers complete to learn how to evaluate drivers during traffic stops. And I’ve completed the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) course—the advanced program that trains officers to identify drug impairment.

Why does this matter? Because when I review the evidence in your case, I’m not guessing. I’m reading the same chromatograms the lab analyst read. I know what the officer was supposed to do during your field sobriety test—and I know when they didn’t do it. I know what a properly collected blood sample looks like—and I know when something went wrong.

“Most defense attorneys argue the law. I argue the science. And when the science is wrong, I can prove it.”

 

Writing the Playbook

I don’t just practice criminal defense. I write about it and teach it.

My articles have been published in Voice for the Defense—the journal of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association—and in Attorney at Law Magazine. My published works include:

“Intoxication Case Law Update” — State Bar of Texas Advanced Criminal Law Course (2023, co-authored with Kevin Sheneberger)

“The Do’s and Don’ts of DWI Deferred” — Voice for the Defense, TCDLA (2023)

“Texas DWI Superfines” — Attorney at Law Magazine (2022)

“Transportation Code 709.001 DWI Superfines” — Voice for the Defense, TCDLA (2021)

“Operation in Texas DWI Cases” — co-authored with Kevin Sheneberger

I also lecture nationally and throughout Texas on criminal defense strategy and trial tactics. At the firm’s annual Dog Days of Summer Advanced Criminal Law Seminar, I’ve presented on topics including punishment ranges, sentence enhancements, and the critical first client meeting.

When I walk into a courtroom, I’m not just a defense attorney. I’m someone the legal community recognizes as a scholar and educator in this field.

 

Leading the Defense Bar

In 2023, I was elected President of the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association—one of the most respected criminal defense organizations in the state. That’s not a title you campaign for. It’s a recognition from your peers that you’ve earned their trust and respect.

In 2026 I helped launch the Dallas Criminal Defense Bar where I now serve as President. I’m still an active member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), the DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), and the Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. These aren’t lines on a resume. They’re communities where I learn, teach, and push to make the criminal justice system work the way it’s supposed to.

I tell you this for one reason: when I stand up in a Dallas County courtroom on your behalf, the prosecutors and judges in that building know exactly who I am.

 

Outside the Courtroom

I’m married to my wife, Monique, who is herself a lawyer and a judge. When people ask how we talk about work at the dinner table, the answer is: carefully.

We have a rescue dog named Athena—she’s an Australian Cattle Dog mix, weighs about 60 pounds, and is absolutely convinced she’s a lap dog. She’s eight years old and runs this household.

When I’m not preparing for trial, I love to travel. I’ve been to countries across Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. One of my favorite experiences was walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain—hundreds of miles on foot, one step at a time. There’s a lesson in that about how you get through hard things. It was of such significance to me that I went back and walked it again – this time from Portugal.

I’m an avid poker player—you’ll find me in tournaments around the country—and I love live music. My first concert was Mötley Crüe, and I haven’t stopped going since. I seek out the most unusual events I can find, from circuses to wrestling matches, because life is too short to be ordinary.

And I’m always reading. Usually three books at a time. My favorite is still The Catcher in the Rye. It’s where this all started.

 

If You Need Someone in Your Corner

I didn’t take the easy road to get here. I served my country. I worked in the real world. I went to law school as a nontraditional student. I was a public defender. I opened my own practice. I joined one of the most respected criminal defense firms in Texas and earned my way to partner.

Every step of that journey taught me something that makes me a better advocate for you today.

If you’re reading this because you’ve been charged with a crime—whether it’s a DWI, a drug offense, an assault charge, or something far more serious—I want you to know something: you are not defined by this moment.

I’ve spent my career standing at the edge of that cliff, catching people before they go over. Let me do the same for you.

Education

• MBA - Master of Business Administration — Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FL, 2013
• JD - Juris Doctor — St. Marys University School of Law San Antonio, TX, 2010
• BBA - Bachelor of Business Administration — St. Edward's University Austin, TX, 2006
• Criminal Defense Clinic — University of Texas School of Law Austin, TX

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Texas 2011

Honors & Recognition

Professional Organizations & Memberships

Publications

Published Articles

Presentations

Practice Areas

Douglas's primary areas of defense.

DWI

Science-driven defense for every Texas DWI charge, from a first offense to felony DWI.

Explore DWI Defense

Criminal Defense

Trial-tested defense for misdemeanors, felonies, and everything in between.

Explore Criminal Defense

View All Practice Areas →

Client Reviews

What clients say about working with Douglas.

★★★★★

The Dream Team is one of many ways to describe this great group of attorneys, paralegals, and office staff. Doug Huff & Jada Fairley - simply amazing attorneys!…

AD

Ashley Dixon

★★★★★

My son was facing possible prison prison time, I was afraid. But by the Grace of God I found Deandra Law Firm where Doug and Jada both worked…

KV

Karen Vick

★★★★★

Douglas Huff is The Only Call You Need to Make. When our family was faced with a complex and daunting DWI case, we were completely overwhelmed. We made…

SJ

Sam Jones

★★★★★

Doug and Cheryl are hands down amazing! We’re by my side for everything!

KC

Kimberly Collins

★★★★★

Kevin Sheneberger, Doug Huff, Cheryl Currie and the entire staff at Deandra Grant Law are the absolute best! I do not know what I would have done without…

WD

William Dickerson

★★★★★

Sorsha and Douglas Huff are fantastic duo. I can the thankful enough to you both in how you helped our families.

NK

Neelofer Khan

View All Reviews →

‹›

Videos

What Does Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon Mean?

Watch Now

Aggravated Assault Family Violence Charges in Texas

Watch Now

First Steps After a Family Violence Arrest

Watch Now

Innocent Behavior vs Criminal Indecency

Watch Now

Prison for Online Solicitation of a Minor?

Watch Now

Online Solicitation of a Minor and Sex Offender Registration

Watch Now

View All Videos →

‹›

Office Locations

Deandra Grant Law locations where Douglas meets with and represents clients.

Allen

1333 W. McDermott Drive, Suite 180
Allen, TX 75013

Visit This Office →

Dallas (HQ)

3300 Oak Lawn Avenue, Suite 700
Dallas, TX 75219

Visit This Office →

Denton

1317 E. McKinney Street, Suite 101A
Denton, TX 76209

Visit This Office →

Fort Worth

4500 Airport Freeway, Suite 101
Fort Worth, TX 76117

Visit This Office →

Rockwall

1101 Ridge Road, Suite 201
Rockwall, TX 75087

Visit This Office →

Waco

605 Austin Avenue, Suite 5
Waco, TX 76701

Visit This Office →

View All Locations →

Other Attorneys

Meet the rest of the Deandra Grant Law defense team.

Deandra M. Grant

Managing Partner

Read Attorney Profile →

Jada Fairley

Criminal Defense Attorney

Read Attorney Profile →

James Lee Bright

Of Counsel

Read Attorney Profile →

Jason Bowes

Criminal Defense Attorney

Read Attorney Profile →

Kacey Simmons

Criminal Defense Attorney

Read Attorney Profile →

Kevin Sheneberger

Criminal Defense Attorney

Read Attorney Profile →