About Rick Cofer

Rick Cofer

Austin attorney, advocate, and
dog lover.

Hi! I’m Rick Cofer from Austin, TX. I grew up in Plano, TX, and moved to Austin in 2000. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law. I pride myself on being an advocate for fairness and equality, as well as the father of an amazing Corgi, Lady Bird.After law school, I cut my teeth working for a prominent criminal defense attorney before starting a career in prosecution in Travis County, where I served as Assistant County Attorney and Assistant District Attorney. I handled thousands of cases, from DWI, domestic violence, and juvenile crimes to serious felonies like sexual assault, murder, and child abuse.

Three years ago, I started my own firm. In March of 2020, I partnered with Jeffrey Connelly to start Cofer & Connelly, PLLC. We pride ourselves on extraordinary client communication and responsiveness. We believe that you should expect excellence from your attorney and settle for nothing less.

I’m active in the Austin community, serving on the board of directors of the KIND Clinic and Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO). I previously served as chair of the City of Austin Zero Waste Commission, vice-chair of the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Board, and president of the Pease Park Conservancy Board of Directors. My roots run deep in Austin, and I’m honored to contribute to our community.

I have also been heavily involved in the Texas Democratic Party, having run for Travis County Democratic Party Chair, and consistently donated to Democratic candidates and causes that I care deeply about.

rick cofer austin tx

University of Texas School of Law, JD

University of Texas at Austin, BA with Honors (Government and History)

Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Temple Scholar, Normandy Scholar, LBJ Fellow

Supreme Court of the United State of America

Supreme Court of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Criminal Defense Attorney, Law Office of Rick Cofer, PLLC

Assistant District Attorney, Travis County District Attorney’s Office

Assistant County Attorney, Travis County Attorney’s Office

Criminal Defense Attorney, Private Practice

Secretary and Board Member, KIND Clinic Board of Directors​

Board Member and former Chair, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) Board of Directors

Vice Chair and Member, City of Austin Parks & Recreation Board (2015-2019)

President and Board Member, Pease Park Conservancy Board of Directors (2015-2018)

Board Member, City of Austin South Central Waterfront Advisory Board (2018)

Chair, City of Austin Aquatic Master Plan Task Force (2017-2018)

Delegate, Austin AFL-CIO Central Labor Council (2009-2018)

Member, Travis County Civil and Family Courthouse Citizen Advisory Committee (2016)

Member, City of Austin Parkland Events Task Force (2015-2016)

Chair, Vice Chair, and Commissioner, City of Austin Zero Waste Advisory Commission (2007-2015)

Chair, City of Austin Recycling Ordinance Reform Committee (2009-2012)

Founder and Chair, Austin Bag the Bags Coalition (2007-2012)

Member, Salvage Vanguard Theater Board of Directors (2008-2010)

My Journey

For twenty years, I’ve lived and worked in Austin and the Hill Country.

Start

2004

Undergraduate degree from UT Austin.

2009

Travis County Assistant County Attorney.

2016

Travis County Assistant County Attorney.

2020

Partner and criminal defense attorney at Cofer & Connelly, PLLC.

2000

Moved to Austin, TX.

2007

Graduated from UT School of Law.

2012

Travis County Assistant District Attorney.

2018

Criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Rick Cofer, PLLC.