Vanessa Botello, Houston Criminal Attorney

Vanessa C. Botello is a criminal defense attorney at Dunham & Jones with a background that uniquely bridges military service, federal law enforcement, and legal advocacy. A veteran of the U.S. Army and former federal detective with the Department of Defense, Ms. Botello brings over a decade of frontline experience in criminal investigations, tactical operations, and courtroom testimony.

Born into a military family and raised with a commitment to public service, Ms. Botello served as a military police officer and later worked as a federal investigator, coordinating complex, multi-agency operations with the DEA, FBI, ATF, and U.S. Secret Service. She led and executed felony fugitive apprehensions, managed covert operations, and consulted across departments on crime scene analysis and prosecution strategy. Her firsthand knowledge of law enforcement procedures, evidence collection, and trial preparation informs every aspect of her defense work today.

Ms. Botello earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she received the CALI Award for Criminal Trial Advocacy and the Capt. Kevin J. Barry, USCG Endowed Student Award. She was a founding member and president of the Veteran Law Students Association and served on the Dean’s Advisory Board. In 2024, she was honored with the Student Body President’s Award for her leadership and service to the law school community.

Her academic foundation includes a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University and an A.A. in General Studies earned during active duty. Her legal training includes roles at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, where she assisted with felony prosecutions, and the First Court of Appeals, where she supported judicial research and reviewed draft opinions.

Before joining Dunham & Jones, Ms. Botello practiced civil litigation at a Houston-based firm, representing plaintiffs in personal injury and negligence claims. Today, she focuses exclusively on criminal defense, combining her deep understanding of investigations with courtroom precision and an unwavering commitment to her clients.

A proud veteran and advocate for justice, Ms. Botello is known for her strategic mindset, unwavering work ethic, and ability to connect with clients from all walks of life.

Vanessa Botello, Attorney at Law