Excellence in Execution and Outcome

Erin Epley represents clients charged with state and federal crimes with a focus on white collar offenses and internal investigations. Erin brings over 16 years of trial experience to her clients in Houston and throughout the United States. Her vast criminal law experience impacts every aspect of her work and directly benefits her clients.

An alumna of Texas A&M University, Erin earned her B.B.A. Finance in 2001. After several years working on the trade floor of a major energy company, she began law school at the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC). Having left corporate America to be a trial attorney, she was singularly focused on that goal and never looked back. While at UHLC, Erin was active in mock trial, Chairman of the Board of Advocates, and recognized as an exceptional advocate through Order of the Barristers earning the highest points in her class. In 2007, Erin joined the Harris County District Attorney's Office (HCDAO) where she earned a reputation as an effective and strong advocate and honed her trial skills. While a state prosecutor, Erin's work focused on all types of crime including public integrity cases, drug offenses, financial crimes, sex offenses, and violent crimes. She trained prosecutors and worked as a faculty advisor for the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. While at HCDAO, Erin rose to District Court Chief before leaving in 2016. In 2016, Erin became an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at UHLC and still teaches there today. 

As a defense attorney, Erin joined the office of nationally renowned trial attorney Chip Lewis in 2016. With Chip's mentorship, Erin perfected her trial skills and learned from the best how to build a thriving and successful practice. Erin knows that shaping a personalized and effective strategy, effectively advocating long before trial, and commitment to a truly connected relationship with one's client are pivotal to her success. She excelled at defense work and greatly enjoyed her practice yet longed to be a federal prosecutor at some point in her career. Erin was hired by the U.S. Department of Justice to work as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas in 2018. Erin's federal experience includes securities fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, anti-trust, transnational drug offenses, pill mills, violent crimes (capital murder, RICO, VICAR, firearm offenses), and various conspiracy offenses. While an AUSA, Erin also had Top Secret Clearance and worked as Liaison to ATF Crime Gun Strike Force which investigates and prosecutes the most violent offenders. In 2023, Erin returned to defense work and established a home at Epley Law. While perfectly suited to a solo practice, Erin also frequently collaborates with some of the most well-known, successful, innovative, and aggressive attorneys in Texas. Erin's primary goal is bringing the totality of her experience and relationships to bear in the best interest of her clients. She has a real passion for trial. To date, Erin has tried over 70 state and federal cases to jury verdict. 

Erin is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She has been selected as moderator of the Federal Track at the Advanced Criminal Law course on behalf of the State Bar of Texas and a presenter on various topics every year since 2022. In 2023 and 2024, Erin was the Chief Counsel and Director for the Texas House Committee on General Investigating (a bi-partisan group dedicated to public integrity among Texas' elected officials). In that role, Erin was the lead investigator on a team of six that conducted the investigation which led to the impeachment of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023. Erin worked alongside Rusty Hardin & Dick DeGuerin as part of the trial team. She took witnesses and presented evidence before the Texas Senate. See links in Media.

In her free time, Erin enjoys staying fit, Houston's evolving foodie mecca, and any event involving Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). Erin has volunteered with HLSR for over 15 years including leadership for the Mutton Bustin’ Committee and being a member of HLSR Legal Advisory Board.