Trial Advocacy In San Antonio
Biography
Demetrio Duarte, Jr. became licensed in the state of Texas in 1984. In 1991 he became board certified in criminal law. His 40 years of legal experience includes over 200 jury trials to verdict in state and federal court, which is why he is proud to call himself a “trial attorney.” Duarte's courtroom experience includes additional trials to the court or non-jury trials and countless pre-trial hearings.
In his 40 years, Duarte has represented clients in the states of Florida, Tennessee, California, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Mississippi and Virginia. His fluency in Spanish helps Duarte to assist many Spanish-speaking clients who find themselves needing legal representation. Prior to opening his own office, Duarte worked as a prosecutor with the Bexar County District Attorney’s office. It is this very experience, which has helped him see both sides of every case, and earn the respect of his prosecutor peers.
Education
- The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
- J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence – 1983
- St Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1980
- Honors: magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1986
- U.S. Federal Courts, 1985
Professional Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Texas DWI Lawyers
- Federal Bar Association – San Antonio Chapter
- Mexican American Bar Association – San Antonio and National Chapters, April 13, 2004 Mentor for Fox Tech High School at Mentor Day at the U. S. Courthouse
- State Bar of Texas, Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Committee – 1994, International Relations Committee – 1996, College of the State Bar of Texas – sustaining member
- San Antonio Bar Association, Speakers Bureau – 1992, County Courts at Law Committee – 1993, Citizenship and Program Committee – 1994, Criminal Law & Procedure Committee – 1997-1998, 2012, County Courts Committee – 1999-2000, 2009 – 2013, District Courts Committee – 2009 – 2013
- National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, San Antonio Chapter General Counsel 2003-2012 Terms
Published Works
- Contributing Author: The San Antonio Defender, January/February, 2011 Issue, “Ten Tips for Voir Dire”
Representative Cases
Honors
- Listed by the National Trial Lawyers as one of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
- Listed by TopVerdict.com’s TopVerdict for having one of the top 100 Verdicts in Texas in 2016 for $217,564.00 in Wright v. Dwyer, M.D. medical malpractice case. ($92,000.00 Net to Client in improper orthopedic implant case for fractured humerus.)
- Listed by Thomson Reuters service printed in Texas Monthly Magazine in September 2011, June 2016, and August 2018 issues as a Texas “Super Lawyer.”
- Listed in Jury Verdict Review Publications, Inc.’s March 2011 Texas Jury Verdict (www.jvra.com) for $6,104,418.00 verdict in fraudulent conveyance case. (Net to Client - - Return of fraudulently transferred real property and $680,000.00 in damages.)
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating. Currently Rated BV Distinguished (Very High Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards).
- Listed in San Antonio Scene Magazine as one of San Antonio’s Top 30 DWI Attorneys in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 issues.
- San Antonio Police Department Certificate of Appreciation for Work With Vice and Narcotics Units
- Listed as one of “SAN ANTONIO’S BEST ATTORNEYS” in Scene in SA Magazine, August 2005, August 2006, July 2009, June 2010, July 2011 June/July 2012, July 2013, July 2014, July 2015, July 2016 (Criminal Defense, DWI and White Collar Crime), July 2017 and 20
Classes & Seminars
- San Antonio Bar Association - “Civil and Criminal Implication of Barratry” - 2018
- Mexican American Bar Association, SA Chapter – “How the New Open Carry Law Can Affect You and Your Clients” – 2016
- San Antonio Bar Association, County Courts Committee, “Civil and Criminal Barratry Consequences” – 2016
- State Bar of Texas Webcast, “The Civil, Criminal and Ethical Consequences of a Barratry Allegation” – 2016
- Mexican American Bar Association, SA Chapter, “Preparing for Trial in a Criminal Case” – 2012
- Children’s Court Advocacy Conference, Las Vegas, NV, “Effective Trial Preparation” – 2012
- Training Session presented to Escrow officers for Fidelity Title Insurance Company in San Antonio, Texas, “Closing Basics for Escrow Officers” – 2004
- SACDLA Meeting – “The Ten Commandments to The Ethical Practice of Criminal Law” – 2002
- Conference of National Association of Credit Managers Creditor Rights In Bankruptcy – 1989
Ancillary Businesses
Certified Legal Specialties
- Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization