Kerrisa Chelkowski's law office is located in San Antonio, Texas. She is a former Bexar County Assistance District Attorney. At the Bexar County DA's office Kerrisa was assigned to the appellate and trial divisions of the office. During her time in the appellate division she handled over 30 cases including death penalty appeals. Within her first year at the office she handled Stewart v. State, a significant DWI case which found itself to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Kerrisa argued that case to the Court of Criminal Appeals in front of a packed house of more than 400 spectators with successful results. Kerrisa also argued numerous times in front of the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas.
During her time in the trial division Kerrisa tried many cases to juries and to judges of various courts. Kerrisa left the office in 2004 and started her own practice. She concentrates on criminal defense handling both state and federal cases. She continues to try numerous cases to juries every year with (so far) a winning record. Further, she has represented many people in the federal courts across Texas including defendants in the Southwest Airline case where the court dismissed the indictment against her client after filing motions and presenting arguments to the court. Kerrisa is also a Special Prosecutor for the Medina County District Attorney's Office.
Last year Kerrisa presented oral arguments to the United States Court of Appeals for Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, Louisiana. The appellant's sentence was reversed and remanded for a new sentence. Kerrisa has also represented clients on writs of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court. Including both state and federal appeals Kerrisa's name is on over 35 published opinions.
In January and February of 2007, she was featured in NSIDE, a San Antonio business journal, along with other successful business people from generation X. Further, she is a contributing writer for the journal. Her latest article The $25,000 Martini, discusses the financial impact a DWI can have on a professional's life and career. A 1998 University of Texas at Austin alum and 2001 Texas Tech Law School graduate, Kerrisa has built a solid reputation defending high profile cases throughout Texas with successful results.
Published Works
The $25,000 Martini NSIDE Magazine -Consequences
of DWI cases, San Antonio Business Journal, March/April, 2007
Marriage, A Limited Liability Partnership
Effects of Divorce on a Small Business Owner, NSIDE Magazine, May/June, 2007
It Pays to Fight - Tips on fighting a speeding
ticket, NSIDE Magazine, July/August, 2007
Cooperating with the Cooperator -How to guide
your client in cooperating with the federal government, The Defender (San
Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyer Association Magazine, July/August, 2007
Honors
Best Lawyers in San Antonio - Seen in SA Monthly 2007
Rising Star
Featured Profile in NSIDE Magazine "Leaders of Generation
X" January/February 2007
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or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Ms. Chelkowski is a pleasure to work with. She is knowledgeable, professional and makes you feel comfortable during stressful situations. Her staff is courteous and fast to respond.
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