What Confident, Strategic Defense Feels Like
The Howell Difference
Dallas, TX 75225
Barrett Howell
FOUNDING ATTORNEY
Barrett Howell is not your typical white-collar defense attorney.
He represents leaders who understand that silence is power, timing is leverage, and the most critical legal work happens before a subpoena arrives.
Where others wait for the government to move, he minimizes what’s happening, but because he’s already ten steps ahead of it:
Mapping pressure points.
Neutralizing exposure before it materializes.
Controlling the narrative before it reaches a courtroom—or a headline.
He is not just your counsel. He is your calm.
That’s the Howell difference.
Published by BL Ranking and known for its exclusive peer-review process recognizing only.
the top 5% of U.S. attorneys, has honored Mr. Howell as a Best Lawyer in 2024 and 2025.
Areas Of Expertise
Barrett has successfully defended clients in cases involving:
Securities and accounting fraud
Medicare and Medicaid fraud
False Claims Act violations
Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute
Bribery, inducement payments, and insider trading
He is particularly regarded for his depth of knowledge in the healthcare industry, where regulatory complexity and enforcement risks are high. Whether advising a corporate board, leading an internal investigation, or mounting an aggressive defense, Barrett’s strategic approach frequently results in favorable resolutions—including outcomes that avoid indictment altogether and mitigate financial or reputational harm.
Background and Experience
Barrett’s experience includes representing clients before a broad range of federal and state agencies, including:
The Department of Justice (DOJ)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS-OIG)
The Department of Defense
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The Drug Enforcement Administration
The United States Secret Service
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Multiple Offices of State Attorneys General
He also counsels boards of directors and corporate officers on internal controls, potential self-reporting obligations, and risk mitigation strategies.
At Howell Defense, clients rely on Barrett’s precision and results-driven advocacy when reputations, careers, and companies are on the line.
Awards and Recognitions
Chambers Ranked for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in 2022 and 2023Selected by D Magazine as a “Best Lawyers in Dallas” in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White Collar in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2023
Recognized Best Lawyers, which relies exclusively on a peer-review process that is highly selective, with only 5% of U.S. lawyers earning its distinguished recognition, has recognized Mr. Howell as a Best Lawyer in 2024 and 2025
Recognized by Super Lawyers for seven years in a row, from 2014 through 2020 in the practice areas of White Collar Crimes, Health Care, and Business Litigation, a distinction reserved for attorneys who demonstrate exceptional professional achievement and peer recognition