District Attorney's Office (1984–1998)
Prosecutor Origins
John R. Teakell began his legal career on the front lines of criminal prosecution, serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Dallas County. Over more than a decade at the DA's office, he tried cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital felonies — building the courtroom instincts that still define his practice today.
As a career prosecutor, John handled thousands of matters: violent crimes, narcotics cases, white collar fraud, and homicide. He learned how prosecutors think, how they build their cases, and — just as importantly — where those cases break down under pressure.
During this era, John earned a reputation for meticulous case preparation, jury savvy, and a calm, methodical courtroom presence. He worked alongside judges, detectives, and fellow prosecutors who continue to respect him across the Texas legal community.
The foundation he laid in those early years — thousands of hours in front of juries, behind the evidence, and across the negotiating table — is still the backbone of every defense he builds today.
See Texas Criminal Defense
Assistant U.S. Attorney — Federal Prosecution
Federal Powerhouse
After establishing himself as a state prosecutor, John moved to the federal arena as an Assistant United States Attorney — where the cases were larger, the stakes higher, and the opposition sharper.
As an AUSA, John prosecuted complex federal offenses including large-scale drug conspiracies, wire and mail fraud, money laundering, and multi-jurisdictional white collar schemes. Federal practice demands a different skill set: Title III wiretaps, grand jury procedure, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and close coordination with agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, and Secret Service.
John built consistent wins in that environment. He knows how federal cases get charged, what AUSAs are told to prioritize, how agents construct their investigations — and most importantly, where the weaknesses hide.
Today, when John walks into federal court on behalf of a client, he isn't guessing at the government's playbook. He helped write it.
See Federal Criminal Defense
Securities & Exchange Commission
Securities Enforcer
John carried his prosecutorial expertise into one of the most technically demanding arenas in law: SEC enforcement. As a Senior Trial Counsel for the Securities and Exchange Commission, he investigated and litigated cases involving securities fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, Ponzi schemes, and complex accounting fraud.
SEC matters aren't won on instinct alone. They require fluency in federal securities regulations, financial forensics, and the intricate machinery of public and private markets. John mastered that environment — running parallel proceedings alongside the Department of Justice, negotiating with in-house counsel at major firms, and litigating against some of the most sophisticated defense bars in the country.
That experience makes him a rare find on the defense side. When clients face SEC subpoenas, Wells notices, parallel criminal investigations, or civil enforcement actions, John understands not just the law but the culture, the leverage points, and the strategic decisions agency staff are weighing behind the scenes.
See SEC Defense
Criminal Defense Practice
Defense Champion
When John transitioned to criminal defense, he brought something few attorneys can credibly claim: decades of experience prosecuting the exact types of cases he now defends.
He knows what prosecutors look for when they evaluate a case. He knows which arguments judges take seriously and which ones they tune out. He knows how investigations are built — and therefore where they can be challenged. That perspective is the single biggest asset a defendant can have on their side of the table.
John's clients consistently describe the same experience: a calm, direct advocate who takes the time to walk them through every phase, every decision, every possible outcome. He doesn't overpromise. He prepares. And when a case needs to be tried, he tries it — with everything he has.
He has earned respect from fellow defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges across state and federal courts — a quiet reputation that opens doors and creates leverage his clients feel in every negotiation and every hearing.
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Full-Spectrum Representation
Criminal Practice Mastery
John's practice spans the full spectrum of federal and state criminal defense, with particular depth in the complex financial, securities, and technology-driven cases that define modern federal prosecution. There is no case too complex for John — he has handled matters ranging from misdemeanors all the way up to federal death penalty cases.
He represents clients facing:
- White Collar Crimes — fraud, embezzlement, tax offenses, money laundering, and healthcare fraud
- SEC & Securities Matters — enforcement actions, insider trading, Ponzi schemes, and parallel criminal proceedings
- Computer Crimes — cyber fraud, unauthorized access, identity theft, and federal offenses under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
- Drug Offenses — federal trafficking, conspiracy, and state narcotics cases
- Violent Crimes — assault, weapons charges, and homicide
What distinguishes his practice isn't just the breadth of experience — it's the integrity behind it. John Teakell is known for his attention to detail, a trait that is most important when evaluating the facts of a case and building a defense strategy. He is a compassionate advocate who will take the time to explain every fact, phase, and process as he leads clients through what is often the most difficult time of their lives.
Clients hire John because they want someone who will tell them the truth, prepare like their life depends on it, and fight with everything he has.
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