Meet the Team
Christopher M. Lankford
Chris Lankford is the owner of the Lankford Law Firm and has been a practicing criminal defense lawyer for over a decade. He is the former chair for the Tarrant County Bar Association's Criminal Law section, a graduate of Baylor Law School, and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. As a seasoned DWI attorney, Chris has handled thousands of cases ranging from Class B misdemeanors to capital murder. He has successfully tried over 70 jury trials, the majority involving high-level felonies.
Chris's expertise has earned him numerous accolades, including being named a 2025 Top Attorney by Fort Worth Magazine and recognized as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters. Beyond his impressive career as a Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer, Chris is also a devoted father, an outdoor enthusiast, and an amateur bladesmith.
Meet the Team
Marissa Matthews
Marissa graduated from the Texas A&M University School of Law in 2022 and has since gained extensive trial experience as a criminal defense lawyer, handling cases that include DWIs, sex crimes, and capital murder. Outside of trial work, Marissa prioritizes communication with her clients and conducts thorough assessments of their cases.
As a dedicated DWI attorney, Marissa serves as an officer of the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, sits on the Board of Directors for the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, and is a member of the Tarrant County Bar Association as well as the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Associations. Beyond her professional commitments, she places a high importance on philanthropic work within Fort Worth. Marissa has also earned recognition as a Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorney in 2024 & 2025.