Newman & Chapell, PLLC

About Us

Murray Newman

Murray Newman is a 1991 graduate of Bryan High School and a 1995 graduate of Texas A&M University.  During his time at A&M, he worked as an academic intern for the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office.  After graduating from A&M with a Bachelor of Arts in History, he enrolled in the University of Houston Law Center.

During law school, Murray clerked for the prestigious criminal defense firm of Hinton, Sussman, Bailey and Davidson.  Graduating from law school and passing the Texas Bar Exam in 1999, he was hired as an Assistant D.A. at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of legendary prosecutor, Johnny Holmes.

Over the next nine years at the D.A.’s Office, Murray prosecuted cases ranging from Driving While Intoxicated to Capital Murder.

Rising to the level of Felony District Court Chief, he tried multiple complex and serious felony cases to trials before juries.He left the District Attorney’s Office in December of 2008 and founded the Law Office of Murray Newman.

Focusing his practice solely on criminal law since the beginning, Murray has defended clients charged with offenses ranging from Class C misdemeanors all the way to capital murder.  In addition to being licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, he is also licensed to practice in the Federal Courts of the Southern District of Texas.  He also serves as legal consultant on the Oxygen Channel’s Cold Justice, and is the author of the blog Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice System.

On May 11, 2023, Murray was sworn in as the President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), the largest Criminal Defense organization in the State of Texas.  He is also a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

In July of 2020, Murray and Cheryl Chapell formed Newman & Chapell, PLLC, where they continue to represent people charged with crimes in State of Texas.

Cheryl Williamson Chapell was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Cypress Falls High School and continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from UT, Cheryl moved to Fort Worth, Texas to pursue her law degree. Knowing her passion, Cheryl focused her studies and extracurricular activities on criminal law.

She worked for a criminal defense attorney performing legal research, managing the office, and evaluating cases. She interned in the felony division of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office. Despite those commitments, Cheryl graduated in only two-and-a-half years, near the top of her class.

Cheryl Chapell

An alumna of Texas A&M University School of Law, she was admitted to the Texas Bar and immediately accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Cheryl reached the level of Chief Prosecutor in felony district courts and in specialized divisions, where she supervised other attorneys and handled serious cases with extraordinary stakes. She has successfully tried cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder and human trafficking. She has earned the respect of other prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges for her knowledge of the law, professionalism, and fierce advocacy.

Cheryl left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office after seven years and entered private practice. She joined Newman & Chapell in July of 2020, and remains dedicated to assisting and improving the circumstances of those accused of crimes.  In 2023, Cheryl was selected by her peers as a “Rising Star” in the Super Lawyers national publication.

Murray Newman

Murray Newman is a 1991 graduate of Bryan High School and a 1995 graduate of Texas A&M University.  During his time at A&M, he worked as an academic intern for the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office.  After graduating from A&M with a Bachelor of Arts in History, he enrolled in the University of Houston Law Center.

During law school, Murray clerked for the prestigious criminal defense firm of Hinton, Sussman, Bailey and Davidson.

Graduating from law school and passing the Texas Bar Exam in 1999, he was hired as an Assistant D.A. at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of legendary prosecutor, Johnny Holmes.

Over the next nine years at the D.A.’s Office, Murray prosecuted cases ranging from Driving While Intoxicated to Capital Murder.  Rising to the level of Felony District Court Chief, he tried multiple complex and serious felony cases to trials before juries.  He left the District Attorney’s Office in December of 2008 and founded the Law Office of Murray Newman.

Focusing his practice solely on criminal law since the beginning, Murray has defended clients charged with offenses ranging from Class C misdemeanors all the way to capital murder.  In addition to being licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, he is also licensed to practice in the Federal Courts of the Southern District of Texas.  He also serves as legal consultant on the Oxygen Channel’s Cold Justice, and is the author of the blog Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice System.

Murray serves on the Board of the Directors for the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) and also serves as the leader of the organization’s “Strike Force,” which assists fellow attorneys with emergency issues in court.  He is also a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.  Outside of the law, Murray is President of the Waltrip High School PTA and coaches the mighty Rattlers peewee baseball team for the Oak Forest Dads’ Club.

In July of 2020, Murray and Cheryl Chapell formed Newman & Chapell, PLLC, where they continue to represent people charged with crimes in State of Texas.

Cheryl Williamson Chapell was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Cypress Falls High School and continued her education at The University of Texas at Austin. After graduating from UT, Cheryl moved to Fort Worth, Texas to pursue her law degree. Knowing her passion, Cheryl focused her studies and extracurricular activities on criminal law.

She worked for a criminal defense attorney performing legal research, managing the office, and evaluating cases. 

Cheryl Chapell

She interned in the felony division of the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office and with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office. Despite those commitments, Cheryl graduated in only two-and-a-half years, near the top of her class.

An alumna of Texas A&M University School of Law, she was admitted to the Texas Bar and immediately accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Cheryl reached the level of Chief Prosecutor in felony district courts and in specialized divisions, where she supervised other attorneys and handled serious cases with extraordinary stakes. She has successfully tried cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder and human trafficking. She has earned the respect of other prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges for her knowledge of the law, professionalism, and fierce advocacy.

Cheryl left the Harris County District Attorney’s Office after seven years and entered private practice. She joined Newman & Chapell in July of 2020, and remains dedicated to assisting and improving the circumstances of those accused of crimes.

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