New Location, Same Tradition: Goldstein & Orr Has Moved Offices Learn More

Client Testimonials
  • "I have known Ms. Orr for over a decade and she is an excellent criminal defense attorney with high ethical standards." by Peer Attorney Read More
  • "I'm very impressed how Mrs. Orr handled everything, she is very professional and I recommend Mrs. Orr if your in need an attorney for a white collar case!!!" by Anonymous Former Client Read More
  • "They are next level on intelligence and understanding. My full respect to these attorneys." by Amber R. Read More
  • "They're the best, very thorough." by Doug T. Read More
  • "I was so fortunate and privileged to have Mr. Goldstein in my corner. You will find none better." by Stephen Read More

Notable Cases

With decades of experience defending those facing criminal charges in San Antonio and the surrounding areas of Texas, the attorneys of Goldstein & Orr have fearlessly tackled a wide range of cases. Some of these have garnered media attention and even impacted future cases in courtrooms across Texas. Gerry Goldstein and the team of attorneys at Goldstein & Orr have shown their dedication to justice even in the face of stressful media attention and high stakes.

The public eye has turned to cases related to Goldstein & Orr in several instances, giving the firm a respectable reputation as one of the leading sources of legal counsel in the State. The details of some of these incidents are outlined here on our website.


High Profile Cases


Vernon “Trey” Farthing III

exonerated of federal bribery and money laundering charges

Exoneration of Trey Farthing

Businessman Trey Farthing was unwittingly caught up in a bribery scheme by former Texas State Senator Carlos Uresti and former County Judge Jimmy Galindo. Farthing faced up to 25 years in prison for unknowingly participating in the scheme, but with the help of Gerald “Gerry” Goldstein, Cynthia Orr, John Torrey Hunter, and Abasi Daudi Major of Goldstein Goldstein Hilley &Orr, he was exonerated of all charges.

Michael Morton

exonerated of murder charge

Texas Exonerees New Fight

Morton celebrates freedom
with attorney Goldstein.
Credit: AP Photo/Austin
Ralph Barrera

Gerry Goldstein, for the Defense Williamson County resident Michael Morton, was acquitted of charges of murdering his wife. Mr. Morton had already served 25 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted, partially brought about by misconduct on the part of the Prosecutor presiding over the case.


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Cameron Todd Willingham

pursuing posthumous pardon of arson and murder charges

Cameron Todd Willingham: posthumous pardon of arson and murder charges
Gerry Goldstein announces
pursuit of posthumous pardon.
Credit: AP Photo/Austin
American-Statesman, Rodolfo Gonzalez

Nine of the nation’s top fire scientists and the Texas Forensic Science Commission concluded that the original investigation was severely flawed. Goldstein & Orr has worked with the Innocence Project and other legal minds to petition for a posthumous pardon for Cameron Todd Willingham who was executed in 2004 for the murder of his 3 children in a house fire.


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Hannah Overton

wrongfully convicted of murder

Hannah Overton: wrongfully convicted of murder
Hannah Overton hugs attorneys
Raley and Orr.
Credit: Todd Yates

On September 17, 2014, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Hannah Overton’s capital murder conviction. In 2006, Overton was given a life sentence for the death of her soon-to-be adopted 6-year-old son over salt poisoning. Overton’s appellate team included distinguished attorneys Cynthia Hujar-Orr, Gerry Goldstein, and John Raley.


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Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

first and fourth amendment rights violations

Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: First and Fourth Amendment Rights Violations
Attorney Gerry Goldstein
leaves courthouse.
Credit: AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Gerry Goldstein served as lead counsel for defense team of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after their West Texas compound was raided by police in 2008. The defense challenged the probable cause given by the prosecution, the manner in which evidence was taken, and further argued that the church members had a constitutional right to their faith and privacy.

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Published Cases


Gerry Goldstein

  • United States v. Leon, No. 82-1771, SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, 468 U.S. 897; 104 S. Ct. 3405; 82 L. Ed. 2d 677; 1984 U.S. LEXIS 153; 52 U.S.L.W. 5155, January 17, 1984, Argued, July 5, 1984, Decided, Petition for Rehearing Denied September 18, 1984
    … et al. by Gerald H. Goldstein and Marvin Miller.Briefs of …
  • United States v. Karo, No. 83-850, SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, 468 U.S. 705; 104 S. Ct. 3296; 82 L. Ed. 2d 530; 1984 U.S. LEXIS 148; 52 U.S.L.W. 5102, April 25, 1984, Argued, July 3, 1984, Decided, Petition for Rehearing Denied September 18, 1984
    … for respondent Rhodes. ** Gerald H. Goldstein filed a brief …
  • Barefoot v. Estelle, No. 82-6080, SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES , 463 U.S. 880; 103 S. Ct. 3383; 77 L. Ed. 2d 1090; 1983 U.S. LEXIS 110; 51 U.S.L.W. 5189; 13 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. (Callaghan) 449, April 26, 1983, Argued, July 6, 1983, Decided
    … Bar Association; by Gerald H. Goldstein, Maury Maverick, and Burt …
  • NLRB v. Yeshiva University, No. 78-857, SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, 444 U.S. 672; 100 S. Ct. 856; 63 L. Ed. 2d 115; 1980 U.S. LEXIS 25; 87 Lab. Cas. (CCH) P11,819; 103 L.R.R.M. 2526, October 10, 1979, Argued, February 20, 1980, Decided ** Together with No. 78-997, Yeshiva University Faculty Assn. v. Yeshiva University, also on certiorari to the same court.
    … Kramer, Mark L. Goldstein, and Gerald A. Bodner. + + Briefs of …

Click on the following link to see a full list of Gerry’s Greatest Hits.


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Gerald Goldstein and Cynthia Orr

  • Moreno-Gonzalez vs. U.S., No. 07-400 in the Supreme Court of the United States. Certiorari granted. Judgment vacated and case remanded for further reconsideration in light of Cuellar vs. U.S., 553 U.S. ___ (2008).
  • U.S. vs. Moreno-Gonzalez, No. 05-14475 in the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Affirmed in part, vacated in part and remanded in part. (Sept. 25, 2008)
  • State of Texas vs. Julian Hernandez, No. 89-CR-3036-B (Bexar County, Texas) [death penalty case was settled for aggravated assault]
  • State of Texas vs. Powell, No. 911,524 (Travis County, Texas) [capital case-reversed]
  • State of Texas vs. Heredia No. 90-CR-6371 (Bexar County, Texas) [conspiracy to commit solicitation of capital murder – dismissed]
  • State of Texas vs. Armstrong, No. 92-CR-6425 (Bexar County, Texas) [acquitted of capital murder, convicted of simple murder]
  • U.S. vs. Wilder, 15 F.3d 1292 (5th Cir. 1994) [No. 92-4790, won appeal of bank fraud case]
  • U.S. vs. B.B., No. 5:93-CR-056-C in the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division [insurance fraud case, prevented indictment]
  • In re Grand Jury Proceedings, No. SA-94-CR-69 [bankruptcy fraud case, prevented indictment]
  • U.S. v. Martin, No. SA-95-CR-059 in the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo Division [settled major insurance fraud case for two year sentence]
  • Mauldin vs. Coats, 1989 WL 139110 (Tex.App.-Tyler 1989) [organized crime case-reversed]
  • U.S. v. Richter, No. 2:97-CR-20048-001 in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. v. P.L., in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division (insurance fraud case, prevented indictment)
  • U.S. v. White, 258 F.3d 374 (5th Cir. 2001) [reversal of conviction for possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of violence] in essence – the Fifth Circuit held that pointing a weapon at your wife does not constitute a crime of domestic violence under Federal law
  • U.S. vs. B.W., in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division (antitrust case, avoided indictment and kept fine under $1 million dollars)

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Cynthia Orr

  • In re Zapata, No. 01-CR-3607-W1 [State of Texas v. Zapata, Cause No. 2001-CR-3607 in the 290th Judicial District Court, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas] – Court of Criminal Appeals set trial court judgment aside. (October 2007) Case returned to 290th where negotiations resulted in defendant being released. (January 2008)

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Van G. Hilley

  • Dickerson, et al. vs. U.S., Cause No. 5:99-CV-0001-JRN [judgement on behalf of plaintiff for $44,717,681.00]
  • Rodriguez, also known as Linda Rodriguez Mata, 142 F.3d 242 [reversal of 26 year prison sentence]
  • U.S. vs. Meissner, No. SA-81-CR-102(3) [acquittal of conspiracy to possess narcotics]
  • State of Texas vs. O’Connor, Cause No. 1983-CR-0906 [acquittal of murder charge]
  • State of Texas vs. Weatherman, Cause No. 3048 [acquittal of perjury charges]
  • State of Texas vs. Mendoza, Cause No. 030222 [suppressed 240 pounds of marijuana]

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Cynthia Orr

  • Obtained the first Confession of Error by the State of Texas in a death penalty case, Miguel Angel Martinez vs. Gary Johnson, No. L-98-37 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division, underlying case – State of Texas vs. Miguel Angel Martinez, Cause No. K-91-294-D3 in the 341st Judicial District Court, Webb County, Laredo, Texas
  • State vs. Moreno, No. 90-CR-6371 (Bexar County, Texas) [not guilty, acquitted of murder]
  • Ex parte Cathcart, No. 04-98-00231-CR (Bexar County, Texas) [intoxication assault, dismissed on appeal]

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