Jacob Blizzard | Board Certified Criminal Defense – Criminal Appeal Lawyer

– PARTNER –

Board Certified in Criminal Law & Criminal Appellate Law, Attorney Jacob Blizzard can give your criminal case the care and attention it needs.

With an enviable dual board certification in criminal law and criminal appeals, Jacob Blizzard is in the elite circle of just a handful of Texas attorneys bearing this acclaim. Commanding an impressive advocacy track, Jacob’s fast-paced caseload is paralleled by a zealous post-conviction practice that has catalyzed the freedom of the wrongfully incarcerated. Renowned and respected, Jacob was never a prosecutor – his stance has always been firmly on the side of the defense. His accolades include being a National Trial Lawyers Top 100 honoree and a recurrent Super Lawyers Rising Star. A luminary in the courts, Jacob’s litigation finesse is grounded in his cum laude jurisprudence doctorate from the Texas Tech University School of Law.

He is also licensed by the Supreme Court of Texas, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, the United State Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Jacob’s profile on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization website: https://www.tbls.org/profile/24068558

He’s been practicing since 2010, representing individuals accused of any state or federal crime, also clients with appeals and post-conviction writs of habeas corpus, 11.07 writ of habeas corpus. View a sampling of his successful results.

Jacob is not a former prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney. Unlike attorneys who have worked part of their careers in putting people in prison, he has zero government experience or any history of prosecuting defendants.

What makes him stand out?

Well, he never jumps to conclusions or assumes his clients are guilty. Instead, he wholeheartedly believes in the principles laid out in the Constitution of the United States of America, specifically the burden of proof being on the government to prove their case beyond any shadow of a doubt.

When you hire Jacob Blizzard, you’re hiring a defender who is fully committed to fighting for you. His lack of prosecutorial experience isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength. It means he has never worked against people like you, never tried to secure convictions, and has always been dedicated to defending those who need help the most.

Jacob’s defense-only background, paired with his board certification in criminal law and appeals, makes him one of the most qualified and dedicated criminal defense attorneys in Texas. When the stakes are high, you need a defender who is fully committed to your case—someone who knows the prosecution’s game but has never played by their rules.

Texas Board Certified Specialization That Matters

Mr. Blizzard is the only practicing criminal defense lawyer and criminal appellate lawyer, board certified in both criminal law and criminal appellate law in Taylor County, Texas.

In Texas, there are more than 100,000 lawyers licensed to practice, but only 7,450 are board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specilization.

In the entire State of Texas, as of the 2019 certification year, there were only 87 lawyers board certified in both criminal law and criminal appellate law. That makes Mr. Blizzard one of 0.087% of lawyers in Texas to hold both of those certifications.

Jacob regularly practices in the areas of criminal defense, criminal appeals, post-conviction writs of habeas corpus, and personal injury.

He is valued by his clients for taking the time needed to give personal attention to their legal issues. Mr. Blizzard’s knowledge and experience are applied to each client’s case.

He invests the time and effort that each client deserves in order to look at each situation with care and conduct an in-depth analysis of the facts and legal issues involved.

Jacob has won federal criminal cases out of the Abilene, San Angelo, and Lubbock divisions notoriously “law and order” oriented divisions of the Northern District of Texas. Cases actually tried before a jury and not plead out. He has also successfully won numerous state criminal jury trial cases, including capital murder.

Results

Client Found Not Guilty of Capital Murder

Murder Accusation – Client Found Not Guilty- Guilty of lesser included offense of Manslaughter

Choose The Right Attorney

Choosing the right attorney for criminal defense or appeal in Texas can be perplexing. Jacob Blizzard stands out in this field, providing a clear choice with his extensive qualifications and certifications.

Here’s what makes Jacob Blizzard a leading criminal defense lawyer in Abilene, Texas.

Board Certified Specialist: Jacob is among only 87 lawyers out of 100,000 attorneys in Texas who is board certified in both Criminal Law and Criminal Appellate Law by the State Bar of Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification signifies his expertise and recognition as a specialist in these areas

Capital Murder Appellate List Qualified: Jacob is qualified under the Texas 7th Judicial Region to handle capital murder appellate cases, reflecting his competence in dealing with the most serious criminal cases.

Federal and Supreme Court Qualified: Jacob is authorized to argue before the US Supreme Court, US Federal, and US Federal Appellate Courts, allowing him to represent clients at the highest judicial levels.

Legal Practice Specialization

Jacob Blizzard’s distinguished practice has encompassed a variety of complex and high-stakes post-conviction legal procedures:

Criminal Defense: Handling felony and misdemeanor charges, including, murder, manslaughter, and sexual assault.

Direct Appeal: Handling direct appeals following convictions, ensuring that trial errors are corrected and justice is served.

Petition for Discretionary Review: Filing petitions for discretionary review to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court in Texas for criminal cases.

Post-Conviction Writs of Habeas Corpus: Filing writs under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 11.07 to challenge unlawful detention and seek relief for wrongfully convicted individuals.

Oral Arguments: Presenting cases before the Texas Court of Appeals, utilizing his advocacy skills to argue on behalf of his clients effectively.

Committement to Clients

Jacob Blizzard’s board certification and extensive practice experience collectively underline his dedication to providing exceptional legal representation in criminal matters. Clients seeking expert legal counsel in criminal defense and appeals can trust Jacob’s proven track record and recognized specialization to navigate their legal challenges effectively.

Commitement to Clients

Jacob Blizzard’s board certification and extensive practice experience collectively underline his dedication to providing exceptional legal representation in criminal matters. Clients seeking expert legal counsel in criminal defense and appeals can trust Jacob’s proven track record and recognized specialization to navigate their legal challenges effectively.

Mr. Blizzard is also recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and is a Super Lawyers 2020-21-22-23-24 Rising Star for Criminal Defense, Appellate, and Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff and Criminal Defense: DUI / DWI, meeting their stringent requirements.

Jacob has extensive appeal, criminal defense, and appellate court experience in the Texas state and United States federal courts. He was licensed by the State Bar of Texas in 2010.

Criminal Defense Lawyer With a Passion for Advocacy

Mr. Blizzard grew up in a working-class family, with his father owning his own home remodeling company. From an early age, he has had a passion for justice and a heart for mercy. Growing up as a Christian, Jacob went to college believing he would enter the ministry. Ultimately, after attending two years of college, he decided that his heart for helping and ministering to others was better suited in his pursuit as a lawyer practicing primarily criminal defense, appeals, and post-conviction writ of habeas corpus work.

Jacob has spent years gaining valuable experience, crafting unique negotiations, building relationships, and honing his skills in trial and appeal brief writing to achieve favorable results for his clients.

His strong belief in advocacy for individuals is important to him, and he has built a team of highly skilled lawyers to litigate any criminal case.

Some cases take strategic and purposeful planning in negotiations and plea bargaining, while others take sharpening the sword for attack in trial to achieve “not guilty” verdicts for clients.

As a lawyer, Jacob has heard countless clients complain of prior lawyers they’ve had who only talked to them at the hiring and then met them at court to resolve their case.

Jacob’s passion for the law has led him to help train and educate lawyers as he serves as an Adjuct Professor at Trinity Law School of Trinity International University.

Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys are Different

Jacob himself strives to keep clients informed and formulates plans with clients to keep them in the loop of their cases. He takes the time to explain options to clients and their families which allows for informed decisions from his experience and knowledge in the client’s type of case. His experience and specialization are recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a 2020-2021-2022-2023-2024 Texas Rising Star.

Federal Courts of Admittance

• United States Supreme Court
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Northern District Court of Texas

Criminal Law, Criminal Defense

Blizzard has tried many jury trials on many issues of criminal law, along with civil cases in Taylor County, Texas, and counties within a 100-mile radius.

He is dedicated to developing a winning strategy in every case to achieve the best possible outcome for each case and client.

In his practice, he has represented clients in criminal cases at all levels from low-level offenses to first-degree major felonies involving serious allegations including murder, capital murder, drug possession with intent to deliver, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and sexual assault.

Jacob has defended serious United States federal criminal cases as well, achieving rare wins not often seen in United States federal court.

Criminal Appeals

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization has stringent requirements to certify lawyers in Criminal Appellate Law. Jacob is among 127 attorneys in Texas who are board certified in Criminal Appeals. Check out why Jacob does post-conviction work.

According to the TBLS, Jacob has meet the qualifications, including:

• Practicing law fulltime for at least 5 years as an active member of the State Bar of Texas;
• He has at least 3 years of Criminal Appellate Law experience with a yearly minimum 25% substantial involvement with Criminal Appellate Law matters;
• Jacob has performed substantial work in drafting the pleadings or brief for a party in a minimum of 50 Criminal Appellate cases with a minimum of 5 oral arguments at a Court of Appeals, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, a United States Circuit Court of Appeals, or the United States Supreme Court.

During in his entire practice;

• Jacob Blizzard has received qualified vetted references from judges and lawyers in the Abilene, TX area;
• Completed 60 hours of TBLS approved continuing legal education in Criminal Appellate Law;
• Meets all of the TBLS Standards for Attorney Certification; and
• He has passed a comprehensive 6-hour examination in Criminal Appellate Law.

One of Two Regional Attorneys Qualified for Capital Cases

He is noted by the Seventh Administrative Judicial Region of Texas as being one of two lawyers in the region who is qualified for appointment as Lead Appellate Counsel in Texas capital cases in which the death penalty is sought. The full list of those lawyers is here.

Jacob Blizzard also has authored numerous criminal appeal briefs in Texas state and United States federal courts of appeals.

This practice has included direct appeal following a conviction, petition for discretionary review to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, post-conviction writs of habeas corpus under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 11.07, and federal writs of habeas corpus.

Jacob has also argued his cases in oral argument before the Courts of Appeals in both Texas state and United States federal courts.

Jacob Blizzard, Board Certified  Lawyer | Criminal Law – Criminal Appeal

Skill, Knowledge, Experience

Prior to becoming a founding and managing partner at Blizzard & Zimmerman Attorneys, Jacob:

• Practiced as a solo practitioner under the name The Blizzard Law Firm, also in Abilene, Texas.
• Practiced as the managing partner of Parker & Blizzard, P.L.L.C. in a partnership with now retired, Abilene, Texas lawyer Quanah Parker.
• Worked in an insurance defense law firm representing large national insurance companies.
• Worked in criminal prosecution with the City of Lubbock, Texas.
• Worked with the Attorney General of Texas, Child Support Division.
• Worked with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas.

Professional Awards and Recognition:

• 2021 American Institute of Trial Attorneys Best Law Firm
• 2020-2024 Super Lawyers Texas Rising Star – Criminal Defense
• 2020-2024 National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 – Criminal Defense
• 2019 National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
• 2019 Board Certification in Criminal Appellate Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• 2016 Board Certification in Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization
• 2016 Bob Black Bar Leaders Award from Texas Tech University School of Law
• Big Country Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  -Treasurer 2014, Vice President 2015-2018, President 2019 & 2020
• Abilene Young Lawyers Association, President 2015
• Texas Trial Lawyers Association Member

Community Involvement:

Jacob serves as a board member and secretary for West Texas Veteran Support Services.
Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys are members of:
Abilene Chamber of Commerce
Abilene Downtown Association
The Better Business Bureau

Law School Awards:

American Jurisprudence Award in Civil Rights Law
American Jurisprudence Award in Business Entities
American Jurisprudence Award in Supreme Court Seminar

Publications:

Author: Blizzard, Jacob A., Where have all the Taxes Gone: Creating and Administering a Working Education System Through Universal Vouchers, 13 Tex. Tech. Admin. L.J. 209. 2012.
Author: Blizzard, Jacob A., More Party Talk: Answers to Everyday Legal Questions for Texas Lawyers. Austin, TX: State Bar of Texas. 2016.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION – CLE – STATE BAR OF TEXAS

2023

• Non-Capital Habeas Conference – Portland, OR / Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Defender Services Office Training Division

2021

• Motions for New Trial / State Writs of Habeas Corpus
• Criminal Law and Civil Ligitators: A review of Three Little Known Federal Statues and Parallel Prosecution
• False Evidence Claims / Brady and Other Ethical Issues
• Mastering the Strike for Cause Method of Jury Selection

2020

• 2020 Annual Federal Criminal Practice Seminar
• Best of Criminal Writs: A Collection of the Top Rated Presentations

2019

• 2018 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals

2018

• Veterans and Legal Representation
• 31st Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Course
• Handling Your First (or Next) Wrongful Conviction 2017

2017

• 21st Annual DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity Seminar
• Exceptional Oral Arguments: Tips and Techniques
• Defending a Self Defense Case / Defending Controversial Cases
• Experts & Daubert / Search Warrants / Technology
• Digital Evidence: 45 Apps in 45 Minutes

2016

• Legislative Update 2015: Criminal Law
• US Supreme Court & Court of Criminal Appeals Update / Jury

2015

• Federal Law

2014

• Elder Exploitation and Criminal Prosecution
• Appellate Issues in Criminal Law: Brief Writing / Oral
• Attorney Fees / Sufficiency of the Evidence Standards
• Drug Minus 2: Federal Sentencing Guidelines Update

2013

• Defending Those Accused of Sexual Assault
• Family Law Essentials 2013
• Texas Estate Planning Legislative Update

2012

• Real Estate Law 2012
• 25th Annual Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law Course
• House Bill 274: What Passed?

2011

• Confessions / Search & Seizure / Deferred Prosecution
• Demonstration Exhibits / Criminal Law Update / DWI
• How to Handle an Appeal and Write A Brief to the Court
• Justice James A. Baker Guide to the Basics Course
• Guardianship Law 2011
• Representing Texas Children in Abuse and Neglect Cases
• Appellate Update
• Lawyer Advertising
• Misdemeanor Courts Go Paperless
• The Vanishing Jury
• DWI for Dummies
• Criminal Defense – Duty to Investigate
• State of the Bar presented by SBOT President-Elect Bob Black
• How the Grievance System Works