Derek W. Israel

If you want an attorney who knows the "playbook" the other side is using, you want Derek Israel. Derek’s legal career is backed by decades of real-world law enforcement experience. As a former Austin Homicide Detective and Master Peace Officer, he has been at the center of some of the most complex investigations in Texas. He didn't just work DWI cases; he was a certified Intoxilyzer operator and an instructor in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. This means when he reviews a client's arrest, he isn't just looking at statutes—he’s looking at the evidence with the eyes of the person who literally taught the course. His analytical skills were sharpened early on as a Military Intelligence Interrogator for the U.S. Army, serving in Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Derek eventually transitioned to the legal side, earning his law degree with honors and gaining valuable experience as a prosecutor in the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office. Now at O’Connell West, PLLC, he combines his veteran’s discipline and detective’s intuition to defend his clients' rights. He remains a pillar of the local community as a past commander of The American Legion Post 76 in Austin. Derek is a straight-talking, highly skilled advocate who provides the kind of strategic edge that only comes from a lifetime of service.