Andrew Rountree is a criminal defense attorney at O’Connell West with 13 years of experience devoted exclusively to criminal and military law matters. In 2022, his experience and expertise qualified him to earn Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a rigorous distinction held by approximately one percent of Texas attorneys. He understands the high stakes that come with being accused of a crime and approaches every case with that reality in mind.
Before devoting his practice to defending citizens and Soldiers accused of criminal and military misconduct, Andrew spent the first decade of his career as a state court prosecutor in two of the largest cities in Texas. In Houston, he was assigned to the Special Crimes Bureau of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, where he handled large-scale prosecutions of organized crime by criminal street gangs. In Austin, he was assigned to the Child Abuse Division of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting cases involving vulnerable child victims and serious allegations of abuse and neglect.
Andrew concluded his prosecutorial career at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, where he traveled the state handling complex violent crime matters. During his time there, he prosecuted five murder cases to jury verdict, including convictions in a fifteen-year-old cold case in which no body was ever recovered, as well as multiple murder cases involving a child victim. These matters reflect the seriousness and complexity of the work entrusted to him during the final years of his prosecutorial career. Today, Andrew leverages his prosecutorial experience to identify and expose weaknesses in the government’s case while ethically and zealously defending his clients’ constitutional and legal rights.
Andrew understands that a client is more than just a case file on a busy prosecutor’s desk. He approaches each case individually, knowing that criminal defense is not one-size-fits-all. He is known for meticulous preparation and direct communication, ensuring clients remain informed throughout the process while he builds a defense strategy tailored to their unique circumstances and objectives.
He also recognizes that cases are often decided not only by what the evidence shows, but by what is missing, and that effective defense work frequently requires investigating critical facts the government may have overlooked. When he identifies gaps in a case, he conducts thorough independent investigations to uncover the rest of the story. As Andrew often emphasizes, the smallest details—frequently overlooked—can determine whether a case is won or lost. As one former client explained, he “uncovered key evidence that proved I was telling the truth, ultimately leading to a dismissal and justice being served.”
Throughout his career, Andrew has tried numerous cases to jury verdict and is widely respected for his courtroom advocacy, refined through years of preparation and trial experience. He prepares every case with the expectation that it may ultimately be tried to a jury, while recognizing that thorough pretrial preparation often leads to favorable outcomes without subjecting clients to the stress of trial. When a jury trial is necessary, however, he enters the courtroom fully prepared, with a clear and disciplined strategy designed to confront and counter the government’s case.
Andrew still deeply values public service and serves as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He is currently assigned to the U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), where he advises battalion-level command on legal matters involving international law, Soldier misconduct, and ethical issues. When he is not working for his clients or serving in the Army, Andrew prioritizes the personal relationships that matter most to him, spending time with his family, his church, and his friends. He brings that same sense of duty, discipline, integrity, and commitment to every client he represents.
Professional Experience
O’connell West, Pllc
Assistant Attorney General, Texas Attorney General’s Office
Assistant District Attorney, Travis County District Attorney’s Office
Assistant District Attorney, Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Assistant District Attorney, Galveston County District Attorney’s Office
Captain, United States Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps
