Whalen Law Office Celebrates James P. Whalen’s 30 Years in Criminal Defense
Whalen Law Office is proud to recognize Partner and Founder James P. Whalen on the 30th anniversary of his legal career, marked today, November 3. Since earning his J.D. from Southern Methodist University (1995) and a B.A. in International Politics from Penn State (1990), James has devoted his practice to criminal defense—with a particular focus on complex federal investigations, trials, and appeals.
James is board-certified in Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, reflecting depth of experience at both the trial and appellate levels. He is admitted in the State of Texas; the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas; the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; the Supreme Court of the United States; and the Northern District of Illinois. His professional service includes memberships with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (current and past board member), as well as the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (past president). He is also a Texas Bar Foundation Sustaining Life Fellow and has served on several merit selection and exam commissions.
James’s work has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (2024–2026), Super Lawyers (multiple years through 2025), and D Magazine’s Best Lawyers (2021–2025). He has provided legal analysis to local media and Court TV and remains known for meticulous preparation, motion practice, and courtroom advocacy. Clients rely on James and the Whalen Law Office team for responsive communication, ethical counsel, and strategic representation aimed at protecting their rights and their futures.
We congratulate James on three decades of service to clients and the profession, and we thank the community for its continued trust.
Best Lawyers® and The Best Lawyers in America® are registered trademarks of BL Rankings, LLC. Inclusion is based on peer review; no lawyer or firm can pay to be listed.
Author Bio
James P. Whalen
James P. Whalen is the managing attorney and founder of Whalen Law Office, a Texas criminal defense firm offering personalized legal representation for various federal criminal charges. With a commitment to providing comfort and guidance during challenging times, Mr. Whalen serves as both an attorney and counselor to his clients, helping them navigate their cases while striving to restore normalcy to their lives.
In an inherently unbalanced criminal justice system, Mr. Whalen takes on cases with unwavering dedication. With decades of legal experience, he offers representation across various criminal charges, including white-collar crimes, violent crimes, drug charges, and more. Mr. Whalen’s numerous accolades, including Super Lawyer recognition and board certification in Criminal Appellate Law and Criminal Law, reflect his unwavering commitment to ethical and high-quality legal representation.