Derk A. Wadas

Derk Wadas is a founding partner and seasoned Collin County criminal defense attorney with more than 23 years of experience in Texas criminal law. He began his career as a Collin County Assistant District Attorney, where he spent six years prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases, trying more than 75 jury trials, and handling hundreds of additional cases. That experience provided him a deep understanding of how the criminal justice system works—knowledge he has utilized to defend clients since 2005. As a defense attorney, Derk has earned numerous not-guilty verdicts, charge reductions, and case dismissals and has successfully handled appeals and post-conviction matters. One of his most notable achievements includes securing the reversal of a life sentence in federal court. Clients value his steady judgment, thorough preparation, and ability to guide them through difficult and high-stakes situations. Derk is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential he has maintained since 2011. He has also been named a Texas Super Lawyer every year since 2014, an honor reserved for less than five percent of attorneys statewide. Deeply involved in the legal community, he has served as President of the Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and remains active in state and federal defense organizations. Outside the courtroom, Derk is a competitive runner, and he brings the same focus, discipline, and determination to defending his clients as he does to racing.