Past Presidents

George Scharmen
President  2017

George Scharmen was licensed to practice law in 1973. He later became board certified in the practice of Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1992 and board certified in the practice of Criminal Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in 1993.

Bennie E Ray
President 2016

Bennie E. Ray has been in practice since 1973 and represents clients all across Texas and Georgia. He is a graduate of Sam Houston University with a B.S.; The University of Houston School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree, and St. Edwards University with a M.A. in Human Services.

David Burrows
President 2015

David is a graduate of Southern Methodist University – Phi Beta Kappa – and Baylor Law School. He is a frequent speaker on DWI issues and a sought-after lecturer across the State of Texas on all phases of the defense of DWI. His expertise and trial tactics have been proven in the court room.

J. Gary Trichter
President,  2014

J. Gary Trichter is Past President of Texas DWI Lawyers. He is one of only four criminal defense attorneys in Texas who has earned the designation of “DWI Specialist” which means he has is board certified DWI/DUI by the National College for DUI Defense–the sole entity approved by the American Bar Association to grant such a qualification (the Texas Bar Association recognizing the ABA DWI board certification, but does not have a designation itself).

Gary has also been listed seven times in Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. He is known as a leader and one of the most successful DWI trial and appellate lawyers in the United States, and is rated “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest professional and ethical rating a lawyer can receive. Read his complete profile.