EDUCATION
- University of Texas School of Law, JD
- University of Texas at Austin, BA with Honors (Government and History)
- Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Temple Scholar, Normandy Scholar, LBJ Fellow
PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS
- Texas Supreme Court
- United State Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Colorado
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- State Bar of Texas, Criminal Law & Juvenile Law Section
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Austin Bar Foundation, Board Member & Fellow
- College of the State Bar of Texas
- Austin Bar Association, Criminal Law Section Treasurer
- Hays County Bar Association
- Williamson County Bar Association
- Highland Lakes Bar Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- National College for DUI Defense
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association
- Texas County and District Attorneys Association (2009-2018)
- San Marcos Chamber of Commerce
- Blanco Chamber of Commerce
- Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Partner, Cofer & Connelly, PLLC
- Criminal Defense Attorney, Law Office of Rick Cofer, PLLC
- Assistant District Attorney, Travis County District Attorney’s Office
- Assistant County Attorney, Travis County Attorney’s Office
- Criminal Defense Attorney, Private Practice
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- Vice Chair & Board Member, Texas Health Action Board of Directors (2017-Present)
- Vice Chair & Member, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Board (2015-2019)
- Chair, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) Board of Directors (2014-2018)
- President & Board Member, Pease Park Conservancy Board of Directors (2015-2018)
- Chair, City of Austin Aquatic Master Plan Task Force (2017-2018)
- Member, Shoal Creek Conversancy Headwaters Circle (2021-Present)
- Board Member, City of Austin South Central Waterfront Advisory Board (2018)
- Delegate, Austin AFL-CIO Central Labor Council (2009-2018)
- Member, Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse Citizen Advisory Committee (2016)
- Member, City of Austin Parkland Events Task Force (2015-2016)
- Chair & Member, City of Austin Zero Waste Advisory Commission (2007-2015)
- Chair, City of Austin Recycling Ordinance Reform Committee (2009-2012)
- Founder & Chair, Austin Bag the Bags Coalition (2007-2012)
- Member, Salvage Vanguard Theater Board of Directors (2008-2010)
CERTIFICATIONS
- Texas Guardianship Certificate
- Science of Well Being Certificate, Yale University (2021)
- Certificate in Disruptive Strategy, Harvard Business School Online (2022)
Awards & Honors
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Best Lawyer, Austin Chronicle (2021 - 2024)
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Super Lawyers 2023-2024
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AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell (2022-2024)
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Top Lawyer – Criminal Defense, Austin Monthly (2021-2024)
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Best Lawyers 2023-2025
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Rising Star, Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers (2021-2022)
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Elite Lawyer – Criminal Defense, Elite Lawyer (2021-2024)
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2022 Best DUI Lawyers in Austin
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Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Austin, Expertise.com (2022)
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Clients' Choice Award, Avvo (2018-2024)
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Justia - 10.0 Lawyer Rating
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Top 100 Criminal Lawyers (2018-2024)
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Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
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AVVO Top Attorney 2024
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AVVO 5 Stars 2024
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Avvo Clients' Choice Award 2024- Rick Cofer
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Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel
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Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
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College Member, College of the State Bar of Texas (2010-2024)
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Lead Counsel Verified, LawInfo.com
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DWI Scholar, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (2021)
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General Member, National College for DUI Defense
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Austin Bar Association
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Highest Rating, FindLaw (2021-2024)
Community
I have been extensively involved in community affairs, serving as Chair of the City of Austin Zero Waste Commission, Chair of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition board of directors, President of the Pease Park Conservancy board of directors, Vice-Chair of the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board, and Vice-Chair of the Texas Health Action board of directors.
I currently serve as the long-time treasurer of the Criminal Law Section of the Austin Bar Association and am active with Protect Our Blanco.
I belong to several legal organizations, including the Cannabis Committee of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Austin Bar Association, the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association, the College of the State Bar of Texas and the National DUI Lawyers College.
When I’m not practicing law, I like spending time with my wife, my friends, or my dog, Lady Bird. I love reading, hiking, and visiting new places.
Client Reviews
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"I would use Mr. Cofer as my lawyer for any reason if needed and would refer him to a friend."Former Client
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"He was able to advise me better than any other lawyer I had consulted and he and his team acted quickly to see my situation through till the end."Former Client
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"I would recommend Mr. Cofer for any legal issues that one might have, and I could not be more fond of his work."A.T.