Rusty Hardin, Jr., Business Attorney in Houston, Texas
focused on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation
Houston, TX
Trusted business attorney serving Houston.
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Quick answer
Rusty Hardin, Jr. is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP.
- Based in
- Houston, TEXAS
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Business · Criminal Defense · Litigation
- Handles Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation matters from Houston, TEXAS.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Houston) (2026).
About Rusty Hardin, Jr.: Rusty Hardin, Jr. is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Rusty Hardin, Jr.
Rusty concentrates on business, criminal defense, litigation, and white collar. Each area below outlines the kind of case Rusty handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Business
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Criminal Defense
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Litigation
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White Collar
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Business cases in Houston, Texas
Rusty takes business matters in Houston, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Rusty agrees to represent you.
Criminal Defense cases in Houston, Texas
Rusty takes criminal defense matters in Houston, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Rusty agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in Houston, Texas
Rusty takes litigation matters in Houston, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Rusty agrees to represent you.
White Collar cases in Houston, Texas
Rusty takes white collar matters in Houston, Texas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Rusty agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Rusty Hardin, Jr. — Attorney of Texas business experience
Rusty Hardin, Jr. is an attorney based in Houston, TEXAS. The practice focuses on Business, Criminal Defense, and Litigation. Currently practicing at Rusty Hardin & Associates LLP.
Acclaimed Texas trial lawyer Rusty Hardin is the founder and name partner of Houston’s Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP, accomplished in both complex civil matters and significant criminal cases. Mr. Hardin has more than 40 years of litigation experience, beginning his career as an assistant prosecutor in Houston’s Harris County in 1975.
Since entering private practice in 1991, Mr. Hardin has tried over 70 jury trials, fairly evenly split between civil and criminal cases. His clients have been as varied as Arthur Andersen in both civil and criminal cases; Dow Jones, for whom the firm won a new trial in the face of the largest libel verdict in history; the J. Howard Marshall II estate in the nationally followed probate trial involving claims made by Anna Nicole Smith; ExxonMobil Corp.; Rice University; Las Vegas Sands; and a lengthy roster of professional athletes that includes Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Warren Moon, Rudy Tomjanovich, Calvin Murphy and Adrian Peterson.
Mr. Hardin also has a lengthy track record of independent investigations involving highly sensitive matters. He served as chief trial counsel for Independent Counsel Robert Fiske and his successor Kenneth Starr in the Whitewater investigation. And more recently, he led a politically fraught investigation into the actions of a University of Texas System Regent for a Texas legislative committee.
Mr. Hardin has earned many accolades over the years, earning a place on The National Law Journal’s list of The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America in 2013 and profiled as a “Trial Ace” by Law360 in 2015. He was named one of the "25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter-Century" by Texas Lawyer in 2010. He has been selected a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Since 2009, Hardin has served on the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee.
A native of North Carolina, Hardin received his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Rusty's approach to business cases
Acclaimed Texas trial lawyer Rusty Hardin is the founder and name partner of Houston’s Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP , accomplished in both complex civil matters and significant criminal cases. Mr. Hardin has more than 40 years of litigation experience, beginning his career as an assistant prosecutor in Houston’s Harris County in 1975. Since entering private practice in 1991, Mr. Hardin has…
Clients Rusty works with
Rusty reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, criminal defense, and litigation matters in Houston and the surrounding Texas area.
Credentials
Rusty Hardin, Jr.'s legal education and bar admissions
Southern Methodist University
J.D. · 1975
Wesleyan University
B.S. · 1965
Jurisdictions
Rusty's state bar admissions
Texas, State Bar of
ACTIVE
Rusty studied at J.D. in Southern Methodist University and B.S. in Wesleyan University.
Law school and academic background
Rusty completed J.D. in Southern Methodist University and B.S. in Wesleyan University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Rusty runs in Texas is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Rusty Hardin, Jr.
Rusty has received 37 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Houston)
2026
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Houston)
2019
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Oil and Gas Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation Star, 2013-2022, 2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Recipient, Texas Bar Foundation, Ronald D. Secrest Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award, 2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2023-2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, 2022-2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named to Chambers Global Guide - Band 1 in USA Litigation: Trial Lawyers, 2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame Class of 2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers, 2021-2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2009, 2011, 2018, 2020-2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2011, 2016-2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named a “Lion of the Texas Bar” by Texas Lawbook, 2015
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named a “Trial Ace” by Law360, 2015
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Texas Lawyer Lifetime Achievement award, 2015
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named one of “The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America,” National Law Journal, 2013
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Recipient, Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, Lifetime Excellence in Advocacy Award, 2013
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Ranked nationwide by Chambers USA in Litigation: Trial Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Houston Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2011, 2016-2025
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lifetime Achievement Membership among America’s Top 100 Attorneys
2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Prosecutor of the Year," State Bar of Texas, 1989
2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Go-To Lawyer" for Civil Defense Litigation, Texas Lawyer, 2002
2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Attorney to Hire When You’re in Trouble," Houston Chronicle, 2003
2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Houston’s Top Lawyers," H Texas magazine, 2006
2026
Best Lawyers in America — "Go-To Lawyer" for Commercial Litigation, Texas Lawyer, 2007
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 10 Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2007
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named one of "The 25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter-Century," Texas Lawyer, 2010
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named one of "The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America," National Law Journal, 2013
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named a "Trial Ace" by Law360, 2015
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Named a "Lion of the Texas Bar" by Texas Lawbook, 2015
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation (Houston) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Houston) (2019). Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026).
Locations
Rusty Hardin, Jr.'s office in Houston
Rusty's primary office is at 1401 McKinney Street, Houston, Texas, 77010. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Rusty Hardin, Jr.
Rusty has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Rusty Hardin, Jr. — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Rusty usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Rusty charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Rusty's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Rusty will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a business attorney in Houston, Texas
A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Rusty
Rusty discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Rusty confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Rusty's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Rusty Hardin, Jr.
How much does it cost to hire Rusty for a business case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Rusty walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Rusty offer a free consultation?
Rusty charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Rusty's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Rusty's current terms during booking.
How long do business cases in Texas typically take?
Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Rusty gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Rusty take my case if I'm outside Houston?
Rusty is licensed in Texas. Matters governed by Texas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Rusty will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Rusty?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Rusty will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Rusty accepting new business clients right now?
Rusty's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Business attorneys serving Houston, Dallas and Austin in Texas
Rusty handles business matters throughout Texas. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.
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