James Luster

James Luster

James Luster is a Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorney and partner at the Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers. James is a former prosecutor in the Lubbock and Tarrant County District Attorney’s Offices, and he was lead counsel on cases ranging from simple assault to Aggravated Robbery and Murder.

James has handled thousands of cases, including both juvenile and adult, misdemeanors, and felonies.

About James Luster

As an Assistant District Attorney in Tarrant County, James prosecuted cases ranging from misdemeanor DWI to serious felonies such as Continuous Sexual Assault and Murder. Part of his time as a prosecutor was spent in the District Attorney’s Family Violence Unit, where he primarily focused on handling domestic assault cases.

After gaining trial experience as a prosecutor, James became a criminal defense lawyer in Fort Worth, TX. He is battle-tested and provides his clients with calm, confident, and effective representation.

His representation is set apart from other lawyers in Texas in his earnest commitment to winning the case from the very first moment he meets his client. Meet with James to talk about the first steps to building your best defense at Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers. You will know that James is truly on your side, and when it counts.

James was inspired to become a lawyer while earning his undergraduate degree at Abilene Christian University. His inspiration came in part from presentations by attorneys working for International Justice Mission. He was impressed by IJM’s ability to work through legal avenues to help rescue some of the most vulnerable people on earth and battle systems of oppression worldwide.

Today, James is able to fulfill his passion for helping others by representing citizens accused and giving hope to those who feel like all hope is lost. As a criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, TX, James Luster is able to represent and defend those who feel all hope is gone.

ACADEMIC EDUCATION

University of Houston School of Law | Doctor of Jurisprudence

James earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston School of Law. While in law school, James began developing his trial skills through participation in mock trial competition. James was also a member of the Christian Legal Society, The Advocates, and the Student Bar Association.

During his third year of law school, he completed an internship with the Harris County District Attorney’s office. This internship gave him direct exposure to the practice of criminal law. Here, he was given the opportunity to review, prepare, and even take cases to jury trial.

Abilene Christian University | Bachelor of Business Administration

James earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management from Abilene Christian University. In addition to the decision-making and financial management education that comes with a business degree, he received training in effective presentation and communication skills. James graduated magna cum laude and earned several awards at ACU, including the Servant Leader Award.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Partner | Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers | 2018 – present

James partnered with his trusted friend and colleague Cody Cofer to found the Cofer Luster Law Firm. The two criminal trial lawyers met at the beginning of their careers at a training event commonly called “Baby Prosecutor School.” At the time, Cody was a prosecutor in Henderson County and James a prosecutor in Lubbock.

As they matured as lawyers, first as prosecutors and then as defense attorneys, they remained close and realized they had shared values and complementing styles. Now, they have teamed up to create a rock-solid criminal defense firm for those facing criminal charges.

Managing Partner | Luster Law Firm, PLLC | 2014 – 2018

After six years as a prosecutor, James left the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office to begin private law practice. Within weeks of opening his own firm, James was able to use the extensive criminal law knowledge he gained as a prosecutor to begin securing dismissals and other favorable outcomes for several of his clients.

His reputation as a skilled trial attorney quickly led to other lawyers requesting his assistance in their trials. In addition to his trial experience as a prosecutor, James has been able to take several cases to jury trial as a criminal defense attorney and has been happy to help secure “not guilty” verdicts for his own clients as well as those of other attorneys he has assisted.

Assistant Criminal District Attorney | Tarrant County | 2009-2014

When James began his legal career, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s office enjoyed a reputation throughout the state as being the best prosecutor’s office in Texas. Law students, private practice attorneys, and prosecutors from other offices were all competing for jobs at the Tarrant County DA’s office.

James was able to earn a position as a prosecutor at the office and immediately began building upon his criminal law and trial experience. As is true for all new attorneys, James was first assigned to the misdemeanor division where he was responsible for prosecuting DWIs, marijuana possession cases, assaults, and all other types of misdemeanors.

In this role, James became extremely well versed in DWI law, prosecuting over a thousand of them and trying dozens to a jury. James was then promoted to the felony division, where he prosecuted and tried all sorts of felony cases, including everything from possession of small amounts of drugs all the way up to continuous sexual abuse of a child and murder. James also spent time in the Family Violence Unit of the DA’s office.

During this time, James exclusively handled family violence assaults and related cases. Here, he was able to gain unique experience and hone his skills in trying domestic assault cases to juries. He also learned to spot the “red flags” associated with false assault allegations.

Assistant Criminal District Attorney | Lubbock County | 2009

During his time as a prosecutor in Lubbock County, James was assigned to the juvenile division of the DA’s office. This allowed him the opportunity to handle all types of cases, including serious felonies, starting his first day as a prosecutor. James also gained valuable courtroom experience, participating in several detention and adjudication hearings every week.