Walter M. Reaves, Jr.

The Law Office of Walter M. Reaves, Jr., PC started back in February, 1981 as the firm of O’Dowd and Reaves. Having just graduated from the University of Houston Law School, Mr. Reaves accepted the invitation of his cousin, Mike O’Dowd, to move to West, Texas, and open a satellite office. The firm started off as many firms did in those days as a general practice firm, handling a variety of matters. Mr. Reaves soon recognized he had a passion for criminal law, and started developing an expertise in that area. That expertise was soon recognized by other lawyers, both locally and throughout the State. By 1985, a substantial portion of Mr. Reaves’ practice was devoted to criminal law, and he obtained his certification in criminal law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Reaves handled cases of all types, and became one of the few lawyers in McLennan County who handled serious criminal cases, including death penalty cases. He also started writing for various publications, including the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association, as well as speaking at continuing legal education programs. As Mr. Reaves became more focused on criminal defense, he and Mr. O’Dowd decided to pursue their own practices. Mr. Reaves continued operating the office in West, Texas, and handling cases in McLennan County, as well as throughout the State. It wasn’t long before his practice was almost exclusively devoted to criminal defense, from trial all the way through post-conviction. In 2004 the firm was incorporated under the name of Law Office of Walter M. Reaves, Jr., PC. Since most of Mr. Reaves’ trial work was in Waco, the decision was made to move the main office from West to Waco, and that was done in 2007. In 2011 the office moved from space on Austin Ave. to the Liberty Building, where it remains today. The office is conveniently located in downtown Waco, across the street from the courthouse. Mr. Reaves has been a solo attorney since he separated from Mr. O’Dowd back in the 1980’s. That changed in June of 2015, when he hired Jessica Shaye Freud, a recent graduate of Baylor Law School. The firm will continue operating under the same name, but will now have two lawyers instead of one. We have been providing the highest quality of service since 1981, and with the addition of Ms. Freud, hope to do so for many years to come.