HCDO FOP 39 Legal Services
The Harris County Deputies’ Organization FOP 39 is dedicated to providing quality legal counsel to members when they are involved in course and scope incidents that can trigger disciplinary action or off duty incidents when the members are acting in a legal capacity. Representation includes all administrative hearings (Sheriff’s hearings, Peer review hearings, civil service hearings, and F-5 appeals), civil lawsuits where a member is a defendant, and in all matters involving allegations against a member arising out of job-related incidents – including grand jury and other criminal proceedings. The legal services provided to HCDO FOP 39 members are comprehensive and invaluable. The legal staff is always available to meet the needs of the membership.
HCDO FOP 39 Legal Team
Dave Batton
General Counsel
Dave has been a practicing attorney for over thirty years and has extensive experience working in civil rights, employment law, administrative law, EEOC Employee claims, civil law, and criminal law. Dave was a criminal prosecutor for 9 years as well as represented county officials having extensive trial experience. Dave also previously headed the legal construction team that oversaw the building of the new jail in Cleveland County in 2012 and helped developed supervision and training programs for new jail employees for new system. As our Counsel, Dave wants to take the fight directly to responsible department officials for individual accountability for mistreatment of our member employees. Dave is ready to help HCDO FOP continue moving forward working to protect the dedicated members in Harris County law enforcement.
Dave’s family are native Houstonians military veterans and in law enforcement. He recently moved back to the area and is excited to take the legal representation of the HCDO FOP membership to the next higher level. Dave served in the Air Force from 1971-1977 with special assignment to the 101st Airborne Division then as a Deputy Sheriff in Colorado. He is also a licensed pilot and underwater photographer.
Administrative Attorneys
Joshua Normand
Joshua has experience representing law enforcement members in civil, criminal, and administrative courts and is a tireless advocate for HCDO members. He handles all aspects of member services and is an integral advisor for the Executive HCDO board. He has experience handling member statements, grievances, and investigations as well as representing members in F-5 appeals and before civil service. Joshua has on several occasions assisted and advised the HCDO board at meetings of the Texas Law Enforcement Council in Austin, an organization dedicated to advocating for law enforcement at the Texas state level.
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Joshua Normand received a bachelor degree in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Joshua practices tax law and does federal and business tax preparations. He also practices criminal law, family law, and small business law. He has extensive experience practicing in state court and state administrative hearings as well as in Federal Tax Court.
Robin Foster
Robin began her legal career working for civil firms practicing complex civil litigation in both state and federal court. Robin has civil trial experience, winning a top 10 civil trial verdict for Texas in 2015 with a $1.3 million dollar judgment. She has experience doing criminal and civil appeals, appearing before the Texas Supreme Court as well as numerous State Appellate Courts. Robin handles all aspects of matters that pertain to member interests including IAD investigations, administrative grievances, civil service, and she represents members being sued in Federal Court.
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Robin received her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio, graduating with a degree in History with Tier II (Highest) Honors from the Honors College with minors in International Studies and Legal Studies. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and studied international criminal law, terrorism, economics, and finance at Queen Mary University of London. She has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C.
Carson Joachim
Carson is a Houston native and began his legal career as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. After leaving the District Attorney’s, Carson built his career advocating for law enforcement personnel first with the Houston Police Patrol Union, The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 109 and later joining the Harris County Deputies’ Organization. He has worked all manner of administrative hearings, disciplinary appeals, and Deputy involved shootings and death in custodies.
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In his private practice, Carson focuses on criminal and family cases. Carson is a graduate of Lamar Consolidated High School where he played football, baseball, basketball, and ran track. He accepted a scholarship from Eastern New Mexico University where he played four (4) years as a wide receiver. He attended the Baylor School of Law. He is the father of two (2) beautiful daughters and husband to Amber, who is a prosecutor.
Call Out Attorneys
Nicole DeBorde
Nicole is a criminal defense attorney and trial lawyer handling state and federal criminal matters, with extensive experience in public integrity and use of force matters, at all phases from investigation through trial with over 23 years’ experience. She can often be seen in her role as legal analyst on major national networks, including Fox, CNN and MSNBC as well as in frequent speaking engagements. Nicole was selected by Best Lawyers as 2017’s Lawyer of the Year in Criminal Defense for the Houston area. She has been honored by being selected by Texas Monthly as a Texas Super Lawyer several years running. She served as a prosecutor at the Harris County District Attorney's Office from 1994 through 2002, where she served in the public integrity/civil rights division. She has been in private practice as a criminal defense lawyer since 2002 and is frequently asked to represent officers and deputies. She strongly believes aggressive advocacy involves integrity and extreme preparation
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Nicole received her BBA from the University of Houston and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Recently, she proudly assisted as an Associate Producer for the documentary film An Unreal Dream: The Michael Morton Story. Her hard work for her clients nets positive outcomes and, for this reason, she is trusted legal advisor to many, including fellow attorneys, officers and public officials facing criminal accusations.
Justin Keiter
Justin spent 11 years as a Harris County District Attorney. Justin was a Felony Chief Prosecutor and spent three years as the Chief Prosecutor of Major Narcotics. He's tried almost 100 jury trials including high profile Capital Murders and prosecuted the woman who killed Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Jesse Valdez III. Justin is now in private practice as the founder of The Keiter Law Firm, PLLC.
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Justin graduated from Southern Methodist University where he graduated with a double major in Journalism and Political Science. Justin attended South Texas College of Law Houston where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in the top 5 percent of his class. Before attending law school, Justin was an award winning investigative TV reporter for KXXV in Waco, Texas. Justin is honored to be a part of this exceptional group and ready to fight for the men and women who put their lives on the line for the residents of Harris County.
Sally Ring
Sally is a criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience advocating for justice. She began her career at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office where she spent the next 16 years working in the trial bureau and specialized divisions. Sally was hired in 2008 as a Staff Attorney for the Houston Police Officers Union, representing police officers in administrative matters, disciplinary hearings, criminal investigations, and responding to critical incidents. She has tried over a hundred cases in her career, establishing a reputation as a talented and aggressive lawyer. Now she is an attorney in private practice and is a strong advocate for HCDO FOP members.
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Sally got her undergrad degree from Southern Methodist University. She attended law school at the University of Houston Law Center, participating on successful mock trial teams while interning at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Government Affairs
J. Marc Hill
Marc was licensed to practice law in 1980 and has spent his career working for and serving Harris County. He is a former County Attorney and has experience in county government. Marc operates a successful civil practice, Hill & Hill, focusing on business litigation, construction law, consumer law, bankruptcy law, personal injury, condemnation and other real estate litigation. He has dedicated part of his practice to protecting his client’s property rights against Harris County and other government entities and frequently contests property tax assessments. He has represented clients both for profit and not for profit before the legislature of the State of Texas. Marc is a certified mediator in both State and Federal Court and frequently services as a Special Master.
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Marc retired in 2006 from the Air Force Reserves with the rank of Lt. Colonel after over 30 years of service. He received his BBA from Texas A&M University and obtained his law degree from South Texas College of Law. Marc advices the Board on legislative matters and helps coordinate with the Board within Harris County to advocate for our members.
For questions about the legal coverage or for member assistance, please call the office at 713-659-00005 , or via email at this link.
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Legal Services are only available to active members of HCDO.
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