Taylor, TX

Wesley West

Wesley “Wes” West is an attorney who cares - about his clients and his community. His professional and personal philosophy is meaningful involvement beyond the courtroom that makes a difference. Wes is a native Texan, with exceptional legal knowledge and common sense. He has served with distinction as legal counsel to senior military commanders and elected officials, and negotiated numerous, complex and high value legal matters. Wes is skilled in the courtroom and represents a wide variety of clients including, small businesses, government contractors, land owners, military leaders facing administrative action, and individuals injured by others. He remains active in community and volunteers many hours to education and local traditions. A graduate of South Texas College of Law, Wes has practiced law since 2006, and holds a LLM advanced law degree in military law focused on government appropriations which translates to representation for defense contractors and clients needing assistance with government security clearance matters. Wes has expertise in personal injury, family and employment law and works with a wide range of clients, especially veterans, military service members, and their families. Wes is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve and has previously served in the Army and Army National Guard for a combined 30+ years. Wes has served as a Judge Advocate (Army Lawyer) including deployments to Afghanistan and Kuwait, where he supervised teams of attorneys and advised general officer commanders. In 2021 Wes teamed with Doug O’Connell to form O’Connell West PLLC. Doug O’Connell said “Wes is the smartest lawyer I know. He’s the guy I go to with tough legal questions. The chance to add him to the team is a homerun for our clients.”

Doug O’Connell

Doug O’Connell is well known across Texas as one of the very finest criminal defense attorneys in the state. He has a well-earned reputation as a fierce advocate and unrelenting attorney who fights for his clients. Doug is also nationally recognized for his work defending military service members and law enforcement officers. Doug has practiced criminal law for over 30 years in central Texas and has extensive experience both as a state and federal prosecutor as well as a criminal defense attorney. He has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer each year for the last five years. National and international media outlets regularly cover Doug’s cases. People trust Doug to handle their most difficult legal challenges. As a criminal defense attorney Doug has represented politicians, military generals, national media personalities, senior government officials, other high-profile individuals, as well as regular citizens who need a powerful advocate in their corner. Often other Attorneys turn to Doug when they need criminal law representation. Doug is especially proud of his reputation as the “go-to” attorney for law enforcement officers. While primarily a criminal law attorney, Doug also forcefully prosecutes select civil lawsuits on behalf of clients wronged or threatened by powerful interest or bullies. In addition to his Criminal Defense practice, Doug represents Veterans and Military Service Members in a variety of tough situations, including Military Justice issues. He regularly defends Service Members across the country who face collateral consequences in their military careers due to criminal or civil charges. Doug is the youngest of six children and attended college on a ROTC scholarship. After several years of Active Duty at Fort Hood, Texas (now Fort Cavazos), Doug became a Reserve Officer and attended law school. He graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law and was licensed as an Attorney in 1994. Doug began his legal career in Austin, Texas, as a Misdemeanor Prosecutor with the Travis County Attorney’s Office. Later Doug served as a Felony Prosecutor with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, before moving to the United States Attorney’s office in Austin where he was the Special Assistant United States Attorney prosecuting federal crimes. Over the years, Doug prosecuted countless cases including DWI, Assault, Robbery, Burglary, Theft, Sexual Assault, Felony in Possession of a Firearm, Controlled Substances, Murder and Capital Murder. He has tried over 100 Jury Trials and an incalculable number of Bench Trials. Doug is confident that his years as a Prosecutor give him an advantage when defending citizens; he’s able to identify, evaluate, and exploit potential weaknesses in the government’s case. As a Criminal Defense Attorney, Doug has represented clients accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses in State and Federal Courts, and has aggressively fought for clients in jury trials including Driving While Intoxicated, Assault, Manslaughter, Sexual Assault and Murder. Often Doug’s clients are people who’ve never been in trouble with the law and need advice and counsel on how to protect their rights. Doug also represents corporations and small businesses, often within the defense industry. He has a wealth of experience dealing with issues such as grand jury subpoenas, civil investigative demands, and federal “target letters.” He has particular expertise in investigating cases and negotiating with prosecutors or other government officials to mitigate potential liability and exposure. Due to his work representing defense contractors, Doug holds a US Government Top Secret Security Clearance, with further access to Sensitive Compartmentalized Information. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Doug returned to Active Duty with the United States Army. He deployed to Iraq with U.S. Army’s 10th Special Forces Group and Afghanistan with the U.S. Special Operations Command. In addition, Doug served in Washington, D.C., New York, and other locations with Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and served on the FBI’s Manhattan, NY based Joint Terrorism Task Force focused on terrorism-related cases arising out of the Middle East, Africa and Europe. During his military career, Doug earned two master’s degrees, one in Homeland Security from the Naval Post Graduate School and the other in National Security / Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Prior to his military retirement, Doug commanded a theater-level Special Operations Unit in the Texas Army National Guard focused on enhancing the counter terrorism capacity of African Countries facing threats from Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other violent extremist groups. After 30 years of active and reserve duty, Doug retired from the military in 2017 at the rank of Colonel. Doug uses mission-focus, strategic analysis, and his extensive experience to benefit his clients ideally before they find themselves in federal and state court. He also is frequently called on to consult on complex, multi-jurisdictional cases where veterans or service members face criminal or civil charges with significant career and family implications. Doug makes it a point to give back to his community. He has served as a Commissioner for the City of Austin’s Veterans Commission, a Vestry member of his Episcopal Church, a Past Director of the Texas Lyceum and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Doug also served as a Board Member and Chair of the Veteran’s program Songwriting with Soldiers. Doug helps run an annual Veterans Fly Fishing Program at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Trinh Warner

Originally a Vietnamese refugee who spent her formative years in New Orleans, Louisiana; Trinh Warner (Lt Col, Retired) received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from California State University, Fresno in 1992. She then graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1996. Trinh served as a public defender in Maricopa and Yuma Counties, Arizona before 9/11. She answered the call from the Air Force as a lawyer in 2002 and retired after serving as both an enlisted and officer member. Trinh has been in practice for more than 25 years and has specialized in civil matters, family law, public service labor and employment, military matters, and Veteran disability. As an enlisted Airman, Trinh was an Aeromedical Technician and Medic. She commissioned as an Officer in the Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG) Corps in 2002. In 2013, Trinh earned her master’s degree in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University, the U.S. Air and Space Force’s center for professional military education. Following her retirement from the JAG Corps, Trinh volunteered to be an Air Force Junior ROTC instructor whose mission was to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill a sense responsibility; and develop character, leadership and self-discipline through education. Trinh considers herself an attorney, advisor, consultant, problem solver, difference maker, and game changer. She believes Family Law is her calling because it allows her to help people, especially children. She also helps people in her other practice areas, as needed. Trinh is Mom to two amazing young men, one is in college working towards a Masters Degree and the other is in middle school.

Laurie Drymalla

Laurie Drymalla has always championed for those in need. In high school she volunteered to teach English in Costa Rica; in college she worked with the homeless in Washington, D.C. After graduating Baylor Law School, she began representing indigent clients in the criminal county courts at law in San Antonio, Texas. As a court-appointed attorney in Bexar County, she was successful at resolving cases for her clients before they went to trial, but she decided that to take her practice to the next level, she needed courtroom experience. In 1997, she joined the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office in San Antonio to gain the trial experience necessary to fight for her client’s rights. For the next 20 plus years Laurie worked as an assistant district/county attorney in several different offices across Central Texas. Her experience includes prosecuting all types of domestic violence case, serious violent felony offenses, homicides, white collar cases, drug offenses, and police officer use of force cases. At the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, she served as the chief of two major units, Chief of the 167th District Court for three years and the Chief of the Critical Incident Unit for four years. In 2021, Laurie entered private practice where she joined the law firm of O’Connell West, PLLC. Additionally, she serves as an Associate Magistrate Judge for the City of Lago Vista. Laurie is now using her expertise in the criminal justice system to help those who have been accused of a crime, need help navigating the criminal justice system, need help consulting on a criminal case, or need help preparing for testimony in front of a grand jury or court. In private practice, Laurie’s reputation and experience has resulted in very positive outcomes for her clients. Whether you need a trial attorney or a trusted counselor, you will be well-served with Laurie as your advocate.

Scott Walters

Scott Walters is a true Soldier Lawyer, having started his military career as an enlisted engineer. He then attended and graduated from Officers Candidate School and became an infantry officer. After serving as an infantry platoon leader, Scott transitioned to the IRR as he attended Tulane Law School. He entered active duty as an Army Judge Advocate in 1997. During his 26 years as an Army Judge Advocate, Scott served on six of the seven continents, in numerous combat zones, and on several deployments. Mr. Walters has served in numerous leadership positions, including Brigade Judge Advocate, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, and Staff Judge Advocate. Scott also practiced criminal law as a prosecutor and defense attorney, trying numerous contested courts-martial, and representing clients from Private to Lieutenant General. At the time of his retirement, Scott was one of the most experienced military justice practitioners in all of DoD. Beyond his professional achievements, Scott’s personal life revolves around his family and his passion for restoring classic cars.

Andrew Rountree

Andrew Rountree joined O’Connell West, PLLC after a decade of prosecutorial experience spanning various jurisdictions across the State of Texas, including both Houston and Austin. In 2023, Andrew’s skill and proficiency were recognized when he obtained Board Certification in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization-a distinction held by only a select minority of criminal lawyers in the State of Texas. During his career as a prosecutor, Andrew was entrusted to handle the most serious offenses in two of the largest counties in Texas. In Austin, he was assigned to the Child Abuse Division of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office. In Houston, he was one of a select group of attorneys assigned to the Special Crimes Bureau of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. He has an extensive track record of successfully handling all types of serious cases, including Capital Murder, Murder, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery. From 2021 to 2023, Andrew also served as a prosecutor at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, where he and his trial partner successfully tried five complex cases all over the State of Texas. Notable among these was a 15-year-old non-death Capital Murder case where law enforcement had never recovered a body, along with two separate Murder cases involving the deaths of 7-month-old infants. Additionally, he successfully prosecuted an Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer case, where a deputy sheriff was shot in the face and left permanently blinded by a sex offender with a 12-gauge shotgun. These cases exemplify the gravity of the cases Andrew was entrusted with during his last few years as a prosecutor. Andrew’s commitment to justice extends beyond the criminal courtroom, as evidenced by his current role as a Reserve Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a Captain in the Army Reserve, he provides essential trial defense services to Soldiers navigating the often-confusing intersection of military justice and administrative misconduct. This dual commitment to upholding justice on multiple fronts demonstrates Andrew’s resolute dedication to safeguarding the rights and well-being of individuals, both within and outside the uniform. Influenced profoundly by his paternal grandfather’s honorable combat service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Andrew’s passion for advocating on behalf of veterans and Soldiers is deeply ingrained. His grandfather’s unwavering dedication, demonstrated by receiving the Purple Heart for his sacrifices, has inspired Andrew to champion the rights of Servicemembers with dedication and commitment. Andrew left his job as a Deputy Division Chief at the Texas Attorney General’s Office to join the OC-West team. With a unique combination of passion, skill, and expertise on multiple fronts, Andrew is poised to provide robust legal representation to civilians and military service members facing misconduct allegations, as well as the prospect of being accused of serious criminal charges. His career journey is one of hard work, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice, and it has earned him the trust and respect of clients and colleagues alike.