Varghese tops Texas DWI rankings for 2026

Benson Varghese of Fort Worth ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Texas DWI Rankings, finishing ahead of eight other defense attorneys across major Texas cities. The list weighed verifiable factors like reviews, board certification, prosecutor experience and serious-case work, and Varghese led on client reviews and multiple other categories.

Why it matters: - The ranking spotlights which Texas DWI defense lawyers stood out on verifiable measures that can affect case strategy, reputation and client trust. - Varghese’s No. 1 finish reflects a mix of courtroom experience, past prosecution work and a large review footprint that separated him from other lawyers on the list.

What happened: - Benson Varghese, managing partner of Varghese Summersett in Fort Worth, ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Texas DWI Rankings. - The rankings were published at the full rankings and methodology. - The list scored attorneys in nine major Texas cities on a 100-point system based only on verifiable criteria. - Varghese scored 89 points. - That placed him 7 points ahead of the No. 2 attorney and 20 points above the nine-attorney average of 68.8. - The second-ranked attorney was Mark Thiessen of Houston with 82 points. - The rankings listed attorneys in Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, Waco, Austin and El Paso.

The details: - The analysis used six categories: client reviews, board certification, prosecutor experience, serious DWI case experience, forensic training and peer recognition. - Varghese earned perfect scores in four of the six categories. - No other attorney on the list earned more than three perfect scores. - Varghese received 20 of 20 points for client reviews, the only perfect score in that category. - Varghese Summersett has more than 1,400 five-star Google reviews. - The next highest review total on the list was 320. - Varghese received 15 of 15 points for former prosecutor experience. - He is one of only two attorneys in the rankings to receive points in that category. - Varghese prosecuted cases in Tarrant County before moving to defense work. - Seven of the nine ranked attorneys received no points for prosecutor experience. - Varghese earned 15 of 15 points for serious DWI cases, also the only perfect score in that category. - The category covered documented work on intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, repeat DWI offenses and DWI with a child passenger. - The analysis also cited a not-guilty verdict in a DWI case with a .359 blood alcohol concentration. - Varghese received 15 of 15 points for awards and peer recognition. - He scored 9 of 10 points for forensic training. - He received 15 of 25 points for board certification. - Varghese is board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. - Mark Thiessen earned the only perfect board certification score, 25 of 25. - Thiessen received no points for prosecutor experience. - Warren Abrams of Dallas, a former chief prosecutor in Dallas County, was the only other lawyer to receive credit for prosecutor experience. - Varghese and Abrams both finished in the top four. - The full rankings and methodology are available at the full rankings and methodology.

Between the lines: - The scoring system appears to reward hard-to-fake signals such as public reviews, professional credentials and documented case history. - Prosecutor experience became a major separator because only two attorneys in the field had that background. - Varghese’s lead suggests that a broad track record can outweigh a single standout credential, such as board certification. - His comments framed case wins as a function of understanding how the state builds evidence, from traffic stops to breath and blood tests.

What's next: - Readers can review the full 2026 rankings and methodology on bestdwilawyertexas.com. - The published list gives clients and observers a reference point for comparing Texas DWI defense lawyers by measurable criteria.

The bottom line: - Varghese finished first because he scored across multiple categories, not just one. - The rankings put weight on public proof, and Varghese had more of it than anyone else on the list.