Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP

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Attorneys Serving Bell County, Coryell County, Galveston County, Fort Hood, And Throughout Texas.

Our firm has the decades of experience necessary to help our clients obtain results that make a difference in their lives.

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CRISS & ROUSSEAU

LLP

RICHARD W. "RICK" ROUSSEAU

PARTNER

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Colonel (Retired) Rick Rousseau has extensive experience in military law following 27 years on active duty as a Judge Advocate (JAG) and practicing Veterans Disability Law since his military retirement in 2015. He served in various positions while on active duty, including twice as a Staff Judge Advocate (Senior Legal Advisor) for Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Regional Defense Counsel, defense counsel, prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and legal assistance attorney. Rick Rousseau served as a full-time law professor at The Judge Advocate General's (JAG) School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he taught estate planning, taxation, and veterans & survivor benefits. He also published numerous articles on legal assistance issues. He deployed three times as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Areas of Practice

  • Veterans Law
  • Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Department of Veterans Affairs- VA Accredited Attorney

Education

  • The Judge Advocate General's School U.S. Army, Charlottesville, Virginia
    • Master of Laws (LLM.) - 1997
    • Major: Military Law with a Specialty in Administrative & Civil Law
  • The University of Alabama School of Law, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
    • Master of Laws (LLM) - 1992
    • Major: Taxation
  • South Texas College of Law Houston, Houston, Texas
    • Doctorate of Jurisprudence - 1987
  • U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
    • Master of Arts (MA) - 2011
    • Major: National Security & Strategic Studies
  • Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
  • The University of Texas, Austin, Texas
    • B.S., Bachelor of Science - 1982
    • Major: Education
  • Texas City High School, Texas City, Texas

Published Works

  • How Incarceration Affects Eligibility for VA Disability Benefits, Voice for the Defense, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Volume 51, No. 8, October 2022.
  • Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Army Lawyer, November, 1998
  • Tax Benefits for Military Personnel in a Combat Zone or Qualified Hazardous Duty Area, Army Lawyer, December 1999, at 1, 1999
  • Federal Income Tax Update for 2000, Army Lawyer, December 2000, at 11, 2000
  • Federal Income Tax Update for 1999, Army Lawyer, December 1999, at 30, 1999
  • Federal Income Tax Update for 1998, Army Lawyer, November 1998, at 43, 1998

Classes/Seminars

  • VA Law for Non-VA Lawyers, Veteran’s Justice CLE, February 2023.
  • How Incarceration Affects Eligibility for VA Disability Benefits and Using the Information in Sentencing, Hidalgo Bar Association CLE, January 2023
  • VA Higher Level Review Appeal Strategies, National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Fall Conference, Cincinnati, OH, October 2022
  • VA Law for Non-VA Lawyers, Bell County Bar Bench CLE, September 2022
  • VA Benefits for Clients, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association CLE, 2020
  • Representing Veterans, Galveston County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association CLE, 2019
  • Beyond the Courts: Helping with VA Issues, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Veteran Justice CLE, 2019
  • Military Access to Juvenile Records, Military Discharges, Incarceration & VA Benefits, Galveston County Criminal Lawyers Association CLE, 2018
  • Military & Veterans Survivor Benefits, Military &Veterans Law Section CLE, 2018
  • VA Claims Process, Military &Veterans Law Section CLE, 2018
  • VA Appeals Modernization Act, Military &Veterans Law Section CLE, 2018
  • VA Benefits for Spouses, Former Spouses & Family Members, Military Divorce and Retirement Seminar, San Antonio Bar Association, 2017
  • Serving Those Who Served: Legal Issues Facing Veterans, State Bar of Texas Poverty Law Section Webinar, 2017
  • Serving Those Who Served: Legal Issues Facing Veterans, Galveston County Bar Association, 2017
  • Military Survivor Benefits Update, Military &Veterans Law Section CLE, 2016
  • Disabled Military Child Act, Military &Veterans Law Section CLE, 2016
  • Rule of Law in Afghanistan, Women, Peace & Security Conference, U.S. Naval War College, 2013
  • Rule of Law Issues & Initiatives in Afghanistan, U.S. Naval War College, 2012
  • Professor, Military& Veterans Survivor Benefits; Wills, Trusts& Estate; Will Drafting; Federal Income Taxation; and Federal Estate Taxation, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General School, 1998 to 2001

Honors and Awards

  • Meritorious Honor Award, U.S. State Department, Exceptionally Distinguished Service
  • Received the President’s Gold Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush for service on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (a Federal Advisory Panel appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury)
  • Legion of Merit (with Bronze Oak Leaf)
  • Bronze Star (with Bronze Oak Leaf)
  • Meritorious Service Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf, 4 Bronze Oak Leaves)
  • NATO Non-Article 5 Medal – ISAF (with Bronze Service Star)
  • Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with three Bronze Service Stars)
  • Army Achievement Medal (with Bronze Oak Leaf)
  • Meritorious Unit Citation
  • Army Superior Unit Award
  • Joint Meritorious Unit Award
  • National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
  • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  • Korean Defense Service Medal
  • Army Service Ribbon
  • Overseas Service Ribbon (4)

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Military & Veterans Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Past Chairman
  • College of the State Bar of Texas, Member
  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Bell County Bar Association
  • Military and Veterans Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
  • National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates, Inc. (NOVA)
  • Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)
  • Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Life Member
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Life Member
  • Judge Advocates Association
  • Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) Bar Association
  • Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce

Past Employment Positions

  • Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas, Adjunct Professor, Business Administration & Paralegal Studies Department, 2015 to 2018
  • Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Special Assistant to the Staff Judge Advocate, 2014 to 2015
  • Headquarters, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) (Senior Legal Advisor), 2013 to 2014
  • Justice Sector Division, Interagency Rule of Law Section, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy, Afghanistan, Director, 2012 to 2013
  • U.S. Naval War College, International Law, Newport, Rhode Island, Deputy Chairman and Professor of Law, 2011 to 2012
  • NATO Training Mission / Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, Staff Judge Advocate and Senior Legal Advisor, 2009 to 2010
  • Headquarters, First U.S. Army, Fort Gillem, Georgia, Staff Judge Advocate, 2008 to 2009
  • Headquarters, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Staff Judge Advocate, 2006 to 2009
  • Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, 2005 to 2006
  • U.S. Army Central Command, Area Support Group Kuwait, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Command Judge Advocate, 2004 to 2005
  • Southwest Region, U.S. Army Trial Defense Service, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Regional Defense Counsel, 2002 to 2004
  • Administrative & Civil Law Division, The Judge Advocate General’s School, U. S. Army, Charlottesville, VA, Professor, 1998 to 2001
  • Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, Senior Defense Counsel, 2nd Infantry Division, 1997 to 1998
  • 2nd Armored Division / 4th Infantry Division, Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Senior Defense Counsel, 1994 to 1996
  • Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, III Corps and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Chief, Legal Assistance, 1993 to 1994
  • Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) Tax Assistance Center, III Corps and Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas, Officer in Charge, 1992 to 1993
  • Administrative Law and Claims, U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, Chief, 1992 to 1992
  • Claims and Legal Assistance, U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, Chief, 1991 to 1992
  • U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, Chief, Criminal Law & Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, 1990 to 1991
  • U.S. Army Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, Chief, Legal Assistance, 1989 to 1990
  • Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Benning Georgia, Enlisted Soldier, 1988 to 1989
  • Fort Dix, New Jersey, Basic Combat Training, 1988
  • Law Office of Lawrence A. Rousseau, Houston, Texas, Office Manager/Law Clerk, 1983 to 1987
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42

 

YEARS

OF COMBINED EXPERIENCE AS A TEXAS DISTRICT JUDGE

At Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP, our attorneys bring an incredible wealth of experience from their public service work that gives us an advantage in serving our clients.

A JUDGE ADVOCATE

MAKE US A FORMIDABLE TEAM.

 

 

&

MORE ABOUT US

“Judge Susan Criss is a brilliant, well established attorney. She dedicates herself to best outcome of her clients. You cannot go wrong by hiring this firm. They will take care of your needs.”

-J.C.D

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK

“ I am very happy with the service and attention that I received at this firm. Mr. Richard Rousseau was friendly and always easy to get in touch with when I had questions. Overall I rank this as an excellent experience.”

–A.W.

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Rick Rousseau and his team at the Criss & Rousseau Law firm handled my affairs and legal needs in a timely and professional manner. I very much appreciated the attention to detail and the warm and inviting atmosphere. If you are a veteran it would be well worth your time to visit with this retired JAG officer.

-S.B.

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Rick Rousseau was a life saver for me… He guided me through all of the stumbling blocks of putting together a Power of Attorney and educated me on Medicare and Medicaid. My trip to Texas was quick and efficient thanks to his guidance – if it hadn’t been for his help there would have been many wasted hours and expense. I would strongly recommend Rick and his firm to anyone in a similar set of circumstances.

– R.W.

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SUSAN E. CRISS

MEET ATTORNEY

Attorney Susan E. Criss spent 15 years serving as a Texas District Judge. She is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She is also a former prosecutor who served almost a decade in the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Her experience as a prosecutor and judge allow her to understand how the other key players in the courtroom may approach your case. This understanding helps her build highly effective and proactive defenses for her clients.

 

RICHARD W. ROUSSEAU

MEET ATTORNEY

Attorney Rick Rousseau is a retired Colonel with 27 years of active duty experience as a Judge Advocate (JAG). He formerly served as the Staff Judge Advocate for Fort Hood. Rick’s extensive experience in the military allows him to offer real help to those facing issues related to military law and veterans disability benefits.

 

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