Trial Experience
From Enron to the Branch Davidian trial to the Texas Attorney General, Dan Cogdell has defended and won the cases the nation was watching. Not settlements. Verdicts.
Notable Results
Legal triumphs are tradition, not chance, at Cogdell Law Firm. Dan Cogdell reigns supreme in the Lone Star State — and beyond. With a track record that reads like a roster of the greatest American criminal case acquittals, his firm stands as a fortress for its clients. From defending Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Enron litigation, the Branch Davidian trial, and many others, his courtroom odysseys continue to hit the silver screen by way of documentaries and a Showtime series.
Mr. Cogdell has been said to possess one of the sharpest legal minds in the country. Armed to the teeth with razor-sharp intellect, he unleashes unwavering defense of his clients — whether it's criminal accusations like federal white collar and criminal offenses, criminal appeals, state felony charges, grand jury investigations, medical kickback or securities fraud.
Amid the political frenzy surrounding the impeachment saga of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Mr. Cogdell didn't just enter the fray — he dominated it. With a mere three months to ready his arsenal, he and his team stormed into battle before the Texas Senate. It ended in a triumphant smackdown of 16 charges and the outright dismissal of the remaining four.
One of — if not the — greatest corporate corruption cases in the history of the world was Enron. Executives scrambled to secure the best legal minds money could buy, mostly from the glitzy towers of New York. But not Sheila Kahanek. She placed her faith in Mr. Cogdell, who turned what seemed like an insurmountable legal Everest into a mere speed bump on the road to exoneration, while the others faltered under the weight of guilty verdicts.
Mr. Cogdell took up the defense of Clive Doyle, who faced charges over the deaths of federal agents at the Waco siege. Despite relentless media bias, he achieved a remarkable victory: his client was acquitted of all charges — against a backdrop of six other defendants convicted on multiple counts. His skill and tenacity became the focal point of the 2019 documentary and the 2025 Showtime series Waco: The Aftermath.
In a case marred by prosecutorial misconduct, Mr. Cogdell's client emerged victorious. A United States District Judge issued a judgment of acquittal, uncovering instances of misconduct and holding the prosecution accountable.
In a riveting legal saga, the former New Orleans City Attorney was acquitted of conspiracy, bribery, and corruption charges — while multiple co-defendants faced convictions, underscoring our firm's commitment to justice.
In the widely publicized “Houston City Hall Bribery Case,” Mr. Cogdell and his client faced the battleground in two separate trials. Remarkably, his client — a former state district judge and city council member — was acquitted of all charges, including bribery and corruption, while multiple co-defendants faced convictions and imprisonment.
In a high-profile legal saga, Mr. Cogdell's client — an orthopedic surgeon — was acquitted of all charges leveled against them, which included wire fraud, health care fraud, and insurance fraud.
In an exceptionally challenging legal battle, an alternative-treatment physician found themselves acquitted of multiple charges. The remaining charges were ultimately dismissed by the government following two separate trials.
In the District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Mr. Cogdell's client was accused of bank fraud. After a rigorous trial, his client prevailed — acquitted of all charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and bank fraud — while all others involved were convicted of multiple federal offenses.
The former President and CEO of Continental Savings and Loan faced a barrage of accusations, including conspiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud. Thanks to Mr. Cogdell's expertise, the client emerged unscathed — acquitted of all charges.
Dubbed the “NASA Operation Lightning Strike Trial,” Mr. Cogdell's client faced charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and defrauding the United States government. Once again, his strategic defense led to a favorable outcome, with the client acquitted of all charges.
A pharmacy owner was charged with wire fraud and mail fraud. The trial judge granted the court's own mistrial motion based on prosecutorial misconduct following six weeks in trial.
Mr. Cogdell's client, a surgeon, faced a daunting legal battle. After a rigorous trial, the client emerged triumphant — acquitted of all charges, including insurance fraud and practicing medicine without a license.
A state district judge faced accusations of tampering with a governmental record. Remarkably, all charges against the judge were dismissed prior to trial.
Dubbed the “Spring Shadows Glenn Psychiatric Fraud Trial,” Mr. Cogdell's clients found themselves embroiled in a high-profile prosecution. Despite an exhaustive six-month trial, the client's case was ultimately dismissed, with the individual acquitted of all charges.
A cardiovascular and thoracic physician faced scrutiny during a euthanasia investigation. Mr. Cogdell's client emerged unscathed as the grand jury “no-billed” the case. Following a Texas State Medical Board investigation, the client prevailed, further solidifying their innocence.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A representative selection — a fuller record is available on request.
Practice Areas
We handle the full range of disputes that demand genuine courtroom ability — complex civil litigation, personal injury, white collar defense, federal criminal matters, and high-stakes state court trials. Our clients come to us when the other side has deep resources, the stakes are real, and the case needs to be tried.
Commercial disputes, business torts, high-value plaintiff and defense work in state and federal courts.
Serious injury and wrongful death — catastrophic, high-value cases where the stakes demand real trial experience.
Fraud, health care fraud, securities violations, financial crimes — federal and state.
Indictments, federal trials, and appeals before district courts and circuit courts of appeals.
Grand jury matters, DOJ and FBI inquiries, regulatory enforcement actions, and agency investigations.
Felony defense in Texas courts, post-conviction relief, and federal and state appellate work.
Confidential
While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer.
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