Katherine L. Reed

  • U.S. District Court, Eastern, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western, Texas
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • SMU Dedman School of Law (JD2009)
  • University of Southern California (BA2005)
    • Major: Psychology
  • Spanish

D Magazine Best Lawyers: 2016–2018; 2021–2025

D Magazine Lawyers Under 40: 2019–2023

About

Biography

Katherine L. Reed handles all types of federal and state criminal cases, from DWI to murder, from investigation to post-conviction challenges. Through effective communication with her clients, prosecutors, and other agents, Katherine works to quickly minimize the stress and disruption that a criminal charge can have on a person’s life and to resolve each case in the most favorable manner. Her passion for her clients and her work enables her to advocate and fight for her clients in the face of sometimes overwhelming odds.

Katherine has consistently been recognized as one of Dallas’s leading criminal defense attorneys, and she is often called to speak to lawyers and non-lawyers alike about criminal law and criminal procedure. Katherine frequently lectures on Second Amendment issues and Texas criminal procedure, and she teaches the latter at her alma mater, the SMU Dedman School of Law.

Katherine is originally from Houston, Texas. Before earning her law degree from SMU, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in psychology and academic minors in sociology and law. During Katherine’s years in law school, she focused her work and studies on criminal law. She spent a year working in various positions at the Dallas District Attorney’s Office before clerking at what was then Sorrels, Udashen & Anton. Katherine then joined the office upon graduating from law school; she has committed herself ever since to defending the rights and innocence of her clients, no matter the accusations.

 

Honors and Awards

  • Texas Super Lawyers Rising stars 2014–2024
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer: 2025
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, Criminal Defense, 2016–2018, 2021–2025
  • Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2019–2023
  • Criminal Justice Act Voluntary Attorney Panel, Northern District, Texas, 2014-Present
  • Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2024
  • Katherine L. Reed was able to achieve a 120-month sentence for a Federal client charged with distributing drugs who had a recommended guideline sentence of 324–405 months.

 

Associations

  • Dallas Bar AssociationCriminal Law2009-Present
  • Dallas Bar AssociationCriminal Law, Chair2015
  • Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association2009-Present
  • Dallas Women Lawyer’s AssociationDirector-at-Large2015
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association2009-Present
  • USC Alumni Club2009-Present

 

Fraternities & Sororities

  • Delta Gamma

Results

  • In August 2025, Katherine L. Reed was lead counsel in the jury trial of a man accused of murder. After 4 years, Katherine and her team were able to achieve a not guilty because the jury agreed he properly used self-defense.
  • In June 2025, Katherine L. Reed achieved a quick not guilty for a client accused of assault when the jury agreed that he lawfully used self-defense against a girlfriend.
  • Katherine L. Reed obtained the full dismissal of Federal drug charges against her client. Though client was facing a 10 year minimum, charges were dismissed entirely in the Fall 2024
  • Gary A. Udashen and Katherine L. Reed have obtained a Grand Jury no-bill and dismissal of a Denton County Felony Family Violence Assault case.
  • Gary Udashen, Katherine L. Reed and Brett Ordiway obtained a dismissal of a case against a physician who was charged in federal Court with improperly prescribing opioids.
  • Brett Ordiway and Katherine L. Reed won the reversal of two 24-year aggravated-robbery sentences on the basis of ineffective assistance of counsel. Though Brett and Katherine’s client pleaded guilty to both charges, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that he was entitled to relief because his attorney failed to investigate and present favorable evidence at sentencing.
  • Gary Udashen and Katherine L. Reed have obtained Grand Jury no-bills and dismissal of three separate cases for three different clients  for the offenses of Felony Deadly Conduct, Sexual Assault of a Minor and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.
  • Katherine L. Reed persuaded a grand jury not to indict a young man charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child after he was found engaging in sex acts with a minor who lied about their age. Katherine convinced the grand jury that the minor’s claims of force were incredible and that prosecuting her client for statutory rape would be unjust.
  • Katherine L. Reed was able to achieve a 120-month sentence for a Federal client charged with distributing drugs who had a recommended guideline sentence of 324–405 months.