More about Collis White... Interestingly, Mr. White did not begin his career as either a police officer or an attorney. Having grown up in a small rural town in Kansas, he attended the University of Kansas to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Theater. After two years of performing on and off campus, he was awarded a full fellowship at the prestigious American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California.
Seven years later, after approximately 20 national television commercials, 4 national Broadway show tours, and a bit of television, Mr. White sought something with more "meaning" and discovered the world of politics in New York City. There, he was appointed to Community Planning Board #4 by Manhattan Borough President Andrew Stein and later elected to the New York County Democratic Committee.
Living in "Hell's Kitchen," in the late 1970's, crime was the foremost political issue and Mr. White "took it on." In light of his work with the planning board and a "by-line" criminal justice column he wrote for a local newspaper, he was approached by the Dean of John Jay College of Criminal Justice which is part of City University of New York. The Dean asked Mr. White to return to college, complete his degree in Criminal Justice, and consider teaching at the college. While at the College, Mr. White took the test to become a New York City Police Officer and the rest is history.
While working around the clock at a steady sector as a patrolmen on Manhattan's West Side, Mr. White obtained his Juris Doctor degree at Fordham University Law School. Upon graduation, he was hired as the first policeman ever to serve in Manhattan as an Assistant District Attorney.
Approximately 70 jury trials later, Mr. White was appointed to the United States Department of Justice and assigned to the Western District of Texas as an Assistant United States Attorney. He immediately took over as prosecutor for the Del Rio Division which comprises seven counties along the Texas/Mexican border.
After trying at least two dozen federal trials - mostly narcotics offenses, Mr. White left the Department of Justice and entered private practice. His experience in the criminal justice system taught him that as a defense lawyer he could do more to protect liberty and freedom from what he began to see as an impending "police state."
Now, after 15 years in private practice, Mr. White has brought all of his experience and perspectives together to establish a practice dedicated to preserving the liberty of his clients and to making sure that the Government respects the Bill of Rights when they prosecute either the innocent or the guilty. His extensive trial experience and his theatrical background serve him and his clients well in the courtroom.
Mr. White has recently been involved in open cases in New York City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Bernadino, Portland, Houston, Waco, Del Rio, and Austin. He recently returned from working on a case in Amsterdam and he looks forward to any opportunity to return to Europe should the need arise.
Mr. White's dedication to civil rights resulted in his appointment as general counsel to District XV of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). As such, he worked closely with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of which he is a proud member.
In 2004, Mr. White was honored as LULAC's District XV "Man of the Year." For four years in a row, he has been similarly honored by federal judges in the Fifth Circuit by being asked to attend their own Fifth Circuit Judicial Conference held this year in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. White lives in the country outside San Antonio and is an avid horseman. He is a fervent jazz aficionado and is currently involved in the careers of two outstanding boxers, one being the two time World IFBA female flyweight champion of the world, Ms. Maribel Zurita aka "Lil Thunder."
