FEDERAL PRACTICE

EXPERIENCE IN ALL CASES LISTED

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES

Bank Fraud

Wire Fraud

Mail Fraud

Insurance Fraud

Medicare Fraud

Health Care Fraud

Mortgage Fraud

FEMA Fraud

Aggravated Identity Theft

Counterfeiting

Theft of Government funds

Tax Evasion

Bribery

IMMIGRATION OFFENSES

Smuggling, transporting and harboring unlawful aliens

Unlawful aliens who illegally re-entry into the United States

Trafficking in documents relating to naturalization, citizenship, or legal resident status and fraudulently acquiring such documents for personal use

Fraud in obtaining U.S. Citizenship, Passport Fraud

Marriage Fraud

Human trafficking

MONEY LAUNDERING

Laundering Monetary Instruments

Structuring Monetary Transactions

Federal Theft

Federal Theft of Services

Embezzlement

RICO ACT

Racketeer Influenced Corrupt

Organizations Act

Violations involving state statutes against gambling, murder, kidnapping, extortion, arson, robbery, bribery or violations of the controlled substances act

HOBBS ACT

Attempted robbery/extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

Robbery by force

Federal assault

Hostage taking.

FEDERAL DRUG OFFENSES

Complex Drug Conspiracy Cases

Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances

Importation and Exportation

Cocaine

Crack

Heroin

Methamphetamine

Ice

Ecstasy

Steroids

Marijuana

FIREARMS/EXPLOSIVES

Federal firearms violations

Illegal possession of a firearm

Felon in possession of a firearm

False statements to acquire firearms, Illegal exportation and transfer of firearms.

Possession/Distribution Explosives

Arson

ROBBERY

Federal Bank Robbery.

Government/Post Office

FCPA-Anti-Bribery Statute

Anti-bribery provisions of The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, involving foreign officials in their official capacity.

FEDERAL

DEATH PENALTY

Various federal offenses that were death penalty eligible under federal law.

practice_areas

MONTALVO LAW

FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE

PHILOSOPHY

For most clients, there is nothing more intimidating than being indicted for a federal criminal offense and facing the full power and resources of the United States Government. I zealously represent and protect such federal clients every day. It is all I do. They need honest, aggressive and experienced representation on their side.

My office is entirely devoted to the practice of federal criminal defense, with extensive experience in all federal criminal matters. I have defended hundreds of federal criminal cases and I have extensive experience at every level and in all matters involving federal criminal offenses, including; criminal investigations, grand jury representation, bail proceedings, plea negotiations, and jury trials. My office represents defendants vigorously and my clients feel confident that they are getting both aggressive and effective representation.

With the proper, thorough and skilled investigation, some cases have the potential to be dismissed, either by lack of probable cause to arrest, an improper criminal complaint or charging document, an illegal stop or search, or lack of evidence.

While each case is different, my office always looks to resolve each case effectively with the highest quality of representation that is professional, efficient, effective and acceptable to the client.

our_vision

I can do all things through him who strengthens me

Philippians 4:13

Gerardo S. Montalvo "Gerry"

MANAGING ATTORNEY

BIO

Mr. Montalvo's criminal defense practice focuses on federal crimes. He has successfully defended hundreds of federal criminal cases in Houston, Galveston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Beaumont, Texas.

He is admitted and licensed to practice law in the following courts:

Supreme Court of Texas
United States Supreme Court
Fifth Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

EDUCATION

Thurgood Marshall School of Law,

Juris Doctor, Dean’s List, Honor's Graduate
    Praemium Excellentia Amjur Awards in
         Trial Simulation
         Appellate Litigation
         Best Appellate Brief, and
         International Human Rights.

Judicial Externship
United States Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson

Judicial Internship
United States Magistrate Judge Marcia A Crone, now a United States District Judge.

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

As a former federal officer for over ten years, Mr. Montalvo has firsthand knowledge and extensive experience in federal criminal offenses. He has conducted thousands of federal investigations relating to individuals charged with federal criminal offenses. He has worked closely with the United States Attorney's office and has extensive experience in working with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, Secret Service, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Postal Inspectors, as well as other federal law enforcement agencies.

He has received training from the Houston Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Federal Bar Association,
Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit,
American Inns of Court (former member)
American Bar Association
      (Criminal Justice Section)
State Bar of Texas
      (Criminal Justice Section)
       (Municipal Judges Section)
Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
Texas Young Lawyers Association
      Leadership Academy ( former -Graduate/Council)
The College of the State Bar of Texas
Houston Bar Association
      (Criminal Law and Procedure Section)
      (former- Equal Access Champions)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
National Hispanic Bar Association,
Hispanic Bar Association,
Mexican American Bar Association

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Associate Judge with the City of Houston since 2009.

Texas Bar Foundation
In Texas, the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys are invited to become Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Election to the Fellows is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a member of the State Bar of Texas.  Nomination is based on outstanding contributions to the legal profession as well as a commitment to the community.  Once nominees are selected, each nominee must be elected by the Texas Bar Foundation Board of Trustees. Membership in the Fellows is restricted to Texas attorneys.

On  April 30, 2009,  Mr. Montalvo was  elected to membership in the Fellows of the State Bar Foundation.  His nomination was based on his outstanding professional achievements and his demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system.

A press release was issued on April 30, 2009.

Super Lawyers – Texas Rising Stars

Once a year, lawyers are nominated in each state based on personal performance and attaining certain honors, results or credentials, which indicate a high degree of peer recognition or professional competence.  A research team evaluates each candidate based on these 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement: verdicts and settlements; transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within law firm; bar and or other professional activity; pro bono and community service as a lawyer; scholarly lectures and writings; education and employment background; and other outstanding achievements.  The final published list represents no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state.

On October 17, 2012, Mr. Montalvo was selected as a 2013 Super Lawyers - Rising Star. Based on his professional achievements, his clients, and his experience, Mr. Montalvo was recognized as a superlawyer in its Texas Rising Stars 2013 Super Lawyers publication.

Honored as “Top Attorneys – Texas Outstanding Young Lawyers”

Based on his achievements, Mr. Montalvo was honored with recognition by Texas Monthly in its selection of "Top Attorneys - Texas' Outstanding Young Lawyers."

Houston, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/- Announcing a special recognition appearing in the April, 2013 issue of Texas Monthly published by Emmis Publishing Corporation.

Honored as Houston's “Top Attorneys" – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018

Mr. Montalvo has received an distinguished attorney guest speaker award from Thurgood Marshal School of Law and he has the served as a distinguished panel guest speaker in criminal law at the University of Houston Law Center. He has lectured on various subjects at different law schools and has served on various criminal law panels presenting continuing legal education to other attorneys. His clients and cases have been featured and reported in the following media outlets: