About Attorney Brian Roark
A high-profile criminal defense and Title IX lawyer
Brian J. Roark, a partner at Botsford & Roark, ranks as one of the most distinguished criminal defense attorneys in Texas. He’s known for tackling high-profile sexual assault and complex criminal cases for clients across the state. His practice is focused on a wide variety of criminal defense and administrative matters including white collar crimes, DWI, sexual assault, Title IX violations, and drug cases. He’s represented judges in front of the Judicial Conduct Commission and lawyers in front of the State Bar. Whatever you’re in trouble for, he can help you.
“In summary: Under-promised, over-delivered. Highly recommended.” — Review from past client
Over the years, Brian Roark has represented athletes at the professional and collegiate levels, judges, lawyers, state representatives, elected officials, prosecutors, police officers, and mayors. Due to the high-profile nature of Brian’s cases, he is often featured in local and national news. Please go to our In the Media page to view coverage of Brian and his work.
More often though, Brian represents regular folks who don’t make the news. These are good people who find themselves caught up in, or the targets of, government investigations, and accused of various types of crimes, or administrative violations.
Legal career and achievements
Before teaming up with David L. Botsford, Brian was a partner at Minton, Burton, Foster and Collins; prior to that he was in solo practice. He began his career as a prosecutor at the Travis County Attorney’s Office where he tried criminal and civil cases and served as Intake and Trial Division Chief for a number of years. Brian has 1st-chaired many jury trials, bench trials, and pre-trial hearings in state and federal courts. He has also argued several cases to various appellate courts.
Brian is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell - a significant and rare rating reserved for only the most respected and trusted attorneys in the U.S. He has also been rated a Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly over many years. Brian taught Trial Advocacy at the University of Texas School of Law for 11 years and served on the State Bar of Texas Grievance Committee for six years - the last three years as chair of the District 9 panel. He graduated from Baylor University School of Law in 1995 and the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in philosophy in 1992.
Aside from practicing law, Brian is an avid mountain climber. He summits the Grand Teton in Wyoming every year and has climbed some of the highest mountains around the world.
Areas of practice
- Criminal litigation
- Title IX defense
- Federal civil practice
- Personal injury
Education
- Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas - J.D., 1995
- University of Texas - B.A., 1992
Bar admissions
- Texas, 1995
- S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1999
Awards and honors
- AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
- AV Rated Client Champion, Silver, by Martindale-Hubbell
- Listed in Austin Top Attorneys for Criminal Defense by Austin Monthly, 2023
- Firm listed Best Law Firms for Appellate Practice, Tier 1, Austin, TX by Best Lawyers, 2023
- Firm listed Best Law Firms for General Practice, Tier 1, Austin, TX by Best Lawyers, 2023
- Firm listed Best Law Firms for Criminal Defense, White Collar, Tier 1, Austin, TX by Best Lawyers, 2023
- Super Lawyers rated by Texas Monthly, 2016—Present
- Super Lawyers Rising Star rated by Texas Monthly, 2006, 2008—2009
Professional associations and memberships
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, member
- Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, member
- Texas Bar District 9 Grievance Committee, member, 2011—2013; president, 2014—2016
Lectures and classes
- University of Texas School of Law adjunct professor in Trial Advocacy, 2001—2012
In the media
Past coverage includes:
- Felony dropped in lawyer’s wreck case — Austin American-Statesman
- Jury finds ex-UTEP football player not guilty of sex assault - AP
- Alex Jones alcohol level was below legal limit is there a DWI case against him? - Austin American-Statesman
- Austin judge found with empty alcohol bottle in car won't face DWI charge – San Antonio Express News
- Two University of Texas football players charged with sexual assault – The Los Angeles Times
See more past media coverage of Brian and Botsford & Roark on our In the Media page.