Howard Shapiro - Plano, TX
Attorney at The Shapiro Law Firm
Criminal Law Lawyers in Plano, TX
701 E. 15th Street Suite 204 Plano, TX 75074
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
53
Years
Experience
Plano Criminal Law Lawyer
Updated: 04/28/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Law
- Adoption
- Child Support
- Custody & Visitation
- DUI/DWI
- Divorce
- Family Law
- Landlord/Tenant
- Personal Injury -- Plaintiff
- Probate & Estate Administration
- Traffic Violations
- Wills
Litigation: 90%
Attorney Information
Overview
Howard Shapiro has been serving the North Dallas and Collin County area for more than 40 years now. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Texas and later earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. Specializing in Criminal Defense and Family Law. Mr. Shapiro previously served as a municipal judge and an assistant District Attorney in Collin County. He went into private practice, founding Shapiro Law Associates in 1973. Throughout the years, Howard Shapiro has tried thousands of cases by jury and before the court, many of which were high-profile, and he has developed an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of law that only comes from seasoned professionals. He is recognized as an expert in his field, and his opinion is often sought by both the media and his contemporaries. In the spring of 2003, Howard welcomed his son Todd as a partner and the Firm changed names to The Shapiro Law Firm. Howard has been married to former State Senator Florence Shapiro for nearly 50 years. Together they have three children, two of whom are attorneys and one who works with children in social work at a prominent hospital in Dallas.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Named "Best Lawyer of the Year - Criminal Defense" by D. Magazine, 2003
- Named "Super Lawyer of the Year" by Texas Monthly, 2003 - 2005
- "Reader" Choice Award - Family Law Attorney
Other Sources of Feedback About Howard Shapiro
Included on the 2018 Texas Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2017 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2004 Texas Super Lawyers list
- 2003 Texas Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Southern Methodist University School of Law,
Dallas,
Texas
J.D.
Major: Criminal Defense
Major: Family Law
-
Southern Methodist University School of Law,
Dallas,
Texas
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of Texas,
Austin,
Texas, 1970
Major: Accounting
-
University of Texas,
Austin,
Texas, 1970
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1973
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1981
Other Affiliations
- Dallas Home for Jewish Aged (Board of Directors)
- Anti-Defamation League Southwest Region (Vice Chairman)
- Dallas Memorial Center for Holocaust Studies (Past Member, Board of Directors)
- United Way (Past Member, Board of Directors)
- Plano Independent School District (Past President, Board of Trustees)
- Plano Bar Association (Past President)
- Collin County Bar Association (Past President)
- Plano Rotary Club (Past President)
- Plano Chamber of Commerce (Past Member, Board of Directors)
- Practical Parent Education (Past Member, Board of Directors)
- Plano Sports Authority (Past Member, Board of Directors)
- The University of Texas at Austin Men's Athletic Council (Past Board Member)
Reviews
Highlights
-
0.5 Value
-
1.0 Quality of Service
-
1.0 Professional Competence
-
Hired Attorney 2018Howard Shapiro: Dishonest billing practices, lack of communication, poor representation. Had to fire him. BILLING: His contract uses deceptive language to trick you into thinking the fee arrangement is something other than what it is. He does this by using language that most people assume is a typical retainer fee agreement (where any balance of funds will be returned upon completion of the case), but he buries a few lines of legalese in the contract that ensures he keeps all fees even if the case is settled quickly. This incentivizes him to do the bare minimum necessary to get a settlement (or possibly dismissal) so he can keep the entire balance of the retainer with as little effort as possible. POOR REPRESENTATION: Because of the billing structure, Howard was giving me poor legal advice and capitulating to opposing counsel at every step. Additionally, he did not review documents and submitted documents to the court that stalled the case and entered me into bad legal arrangements that any high-integrity lawyer would have never allowed. His dereliction of duty alone cost me thousands of dollars during my case. LACK OF COMMUNICATION: If you hire him, be prepared to be ghosted for weeks at a time. I had to email and call multiple times over several weeks before I would get a response. SUMMARY: If you still want to hire Howard, make sure you read the entirety of the contract. He will try to pressure you into signing it on the spot using car salesman-like tactics. I recommend avoiding this law firm entirely and going with a more honest and reputable law firm for you family law matters.
Contact
701 E. 15th Street
Suite 204
Plano, TX 75074
Phone: 972-833-8196
Fax: 972-423-0077
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.theshapirolawfirm.com
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