Top Rated Criminal Defense Attorney in Houston, Texas

Meet Emily William Taylor

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My philosophy is generally, that the best prepared lawyer has the best chance of winning. Of course, that’s not always true, particular, you know, you get jurors who are, essentially, wild animals, you have no idea what they’re going to do. But when you really dig down and you analyze and you play out every possible scenario, you know the law backwards and forwards, you know everything you’re going to argue to put into a jury charge, you’re putting yourself in the best situation possible to have that best outcome for your client. It’s all about putting the time into preparation. You know, old fighters never get tired of the fight but sometimes they get tired of training for the fight and you just can’t let that happen.

As a former prosecutor I have a very specific view of how you should do with a prosecutor in a criminal defense matter. You know, really, it starts out with something that’s cooperative. You start out hoping to attract more flies with honey but, of course, once you get a read on that person, you have to read the room, essentially, you have to know what they’re thinking. You have to know what’s going to work with that specific individual and you have to make your alterations. Then, of course, if it comes time for trial, you know, all bets are off. There are no friends in the courtroom but dealing with the prosecutor, and this is just from my personal experience having been one, you start out as kind as you possibly can and then you make your alterations as necessary for the best possible outcome for that client.

Houston, TX criminal defense attorney Emily William Taylor shares the philosophy that guides her practice. She shares that her philosophy is that the best-prepared lawyer has the strongest chance of achieving a favorable outcome. Of course, she acknowledges that this isn’t always guaranteed—jurors can be unpredictable, and there’s no way to know exactly how they’ll respond. But by thoroughly analyzing every possible scenario, knowing the law inside and out, and carefully planning every argument and jury instruction, she positions herself to maximize the chances of the best outcome for her client. For her, success is all about dedication to preparation. She often says that while experienced litigators may never tire of the fight, they can sometimes grow weary of training—and that cannot happen.

Having been a prosecutor, she has a particular perspective on interacting with prosecutors in criminal defense cases. She believes in starting cooperatively, aiming to achieve results through professionalism and respect. From there, she reads each individual, understands their approach, and adapts her strategy accordingly. Once a case goes to trial, she recognizes that there are no friends in the courtroom, but her prior experience informs her approach: begin with kindness and collaboration, and then make adjustments as necessary to secure the best possible result for her client.

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