GUTHEINZ LAW FIRM - Key Persons
In 1987, SA Gutheinz joined the Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Inspector General (OIG) as a Special Agent. On May 20, 1988, SA Gutheinz was the honor graduate from the Criminal Investigators Basic Course, at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center at Glynco, Georgia. The following year, he was a distinguished graduate (99 percent) from the OIG Basic Course. For that accomplishment, Joe was recognized in the PCIE Newsletter.
As a DOT OIG Special Agent, SA Gutheinz secured indictments, criminal informations and convictions in seven states. SA Gutheinz successfully investigated over 20 pilots (who were later convicted), to include airline pilots who lied about drug and alcohol convictions
on their Airmen Medical Application Certificates. SA Gutheinz was the case agent in charge of investigating the new Denver Airport. His findings about conflicts of interest, questionable land deals, organized crime connections and possible criminal conduct were used by the FAA to govern its award of contracts.
James O'Leary Gutheinz graduated from the University of St. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Theology. He was Commissioned an Officer in the United States Army Reserve and graduated from Adjutant Officer Basic Course in 2005. James Gutheinz was mobilized as an active-duty officer in the Army for five years and simultaneously completed law school at South Texas College of Law in December of 2010. While at South Texas College of Law, James interned at a certified domestic violence clinic-Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA)-where he participated in complex family law cases by assisting victims in need of legal services. He also interned for the Prosecutor's Office of Pearland, Texas, where he gained vast knowledge in municipal cases dealing with violations of the transportation code and various other misdemeanors. James' focus is primarily on Family Law.
Joe Gutheinz is licensed to practice law in ten courts, including the Texas Supreme Court; the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th, 10th, and 11th Circuits; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; and the United States Supreme Court. He is a former Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, a Former Commissioned Member of the Texas State Council on Sex Offender Treatment, and a Former Commissioned Member on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Advisory Committee on Offenders with Medical and Mental Impairments. As a college instructor, he has taught over 200 graduate and undergraduate Criminal Justice, Risk Management, and Paralegal classes for three colleges. He is a former Adjunct Professor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he taught Mediation.
Michael Gutheinz graduated from the University of St. Thomas, Magna Cum Laude, with a B.A. in Political Science. He graduated from South Texas College of Law, Cum Laude, with a Doctorate in Jurisprudence. After law school, Mike served as a Congressional Aide for Congress Member Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. In February 2007, Mike joined the U.S. Army and served as an attorney with the Judge Advocate General Corps. While in the Army, he practiced in the following areas: family law, adoption, consumer protection, claims against the U.S. Government, and criminal law. In 2009, Mike deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in Afghanistan, Mike was a part-time military magistrate issuing search authorizations. Mike is a former prosecutor with the U.S. Army and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mike practices both Criminal and Family Law.