The Leaders in Law blog is dedicated to discussions with leading lawyers and legal thought leaders on topics including law firm management, legal developments, future of law, leadership in law firms, and the business of the practice of law. 

This week we are talking with Messina Madson and Kendall Castello, criminal defense and domestic violence attorneys of Madson Castello.

1. What drew you each to practice criminal law?

Messina—

From a very early age, I wanted to be an advocate.  I wanted to talk about what was just and right.  I wanted to analyze a situation, break down the components, and extract the most important facts.

These inclinations have matured into helping people navigate the criminal justice system with empathy and skill in whatever way they come in contact with it.  Often, I’m working closely with a friend or family member, helping all involved to prepare for what’s coming and stand up for themselves.  And I am continually honored that people will allow me to join their fight.  

Kendall—

From a very early age, I have wanted things to be fair—fair for me and fair to those around me.  But in my faith, there is nothing I value more than mercy and forgiveness.  As a criminal attorney, I found a place where I could devote talents and energy to seeking balance between mercy and justice.  Initially, I worked as a prosecutor where I was privileged to help victims of horrific crimes seek some measure of justice. I also helped establish programs to allow certain individuals a second chance. 

At Madson Castello, I represent people who are wrongfully accused and fight for justice on their behalf. I also represent people who have made mistakes, sometimes horrible mistakes, but need a second chance.  I’ve found it very fulfilling to help both groups of people. 

2. Messina and Kendall – combined, you both served over a decade in the District Attorney’s Office … what made you switch over to private practice and start a firm together?

Messina and I began working together as young attorneys at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Over the years, we worked as a team in various capacities, trying cases, managing attorneys and divisions, and building and establishing new policies and programs—including the nation’s largest DA-run diversion program.  At the end of our time at the DA's office, I was the Administrative Chief and Messina was the First Assistant and Interim District Attorney.  It was clear that we really loved working together, complemented each other’s skill sets and shared a passion for criminal justice and criminal justice reform, so we made the decision to leave and start our own firm.  We were proud of what we helped build at the DA’s office but wanted to see what we could accomplish at a firm committed to helping good people with criminal issues. 

We have been partners at Madson Castello for three and a half years, and we continue to love criminal law. Having worked at the highest levels of the DA’s office, we now help people navigate the system with a steady hand, ensuring their rights are protected and their best interests are preserved.

3. What makes Madson and Castello a great partnership?

We were truly lucky to find each other.  We could not be more different, and our differences have proved so valuable.  Messina tends to enjoy being out front—a thought leader willing to speak out about high-profile cases and criminal justice issues. Kendall is the business leader, managing firm affairs to make sure we’re staying on course with our mission of helping good people with criminal issues. These complementary styles and our mutual respect allow us to accomplish more than we ever would alone.  We regularly approach projects and problems from different angles, while remaining in lockstep on our core mission and values. Our clients benefit from that collaboration and receive truly exceptional representation.  We are very proud of that fact.

4. What is one thing you would like your clients and potential clients to know about the way you handle your engagements?

When someone comes into our office, their lives have been derailed in one way or another.  At our firm, they’ll find compassionate, legal counsel they can trust—experienced advocates who won’t sugarcoat the truth, but will exhaust every angle to achieve the best possible results. We help our clients understand what they can do to protect their rights and strategically navigate the system with the ultimate goal of getting their lives back on track.  

5. What’s the most creative thing you did to get your business started, or kept it going through a tough time?

We started offering an Ethics CLE course to law firms free of charge.  Most attorneys find it interesting to analyze the balance between mercy and justice in a specific case.  So, we present a case study and drill it down with a roomful of lawyers, asking them to think as prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, and jury.  We discuss the ethics of punishment and what motivates their sentence.  This also allows us to meet colleagues on their own turf, share our mutual love for the law, and help more people by offering frontline criminal defense tactics. 

6. What do you see as the future of criminal law?

We expect a lot of change in the criminal justice system over the next five to 10 years.  The push for criminal justice reform has never been greater. Local and national focus will continue to increase on the underlying issues that bring people into contact with law enforcement.  I expect us to be asking this question more and more, “Is this issue best handled by the criminal justice system, or can it be addressed more effectively in another context?”

Also, we expect to see continued growth in alternative sentencing and diversion programs—providing a path out of the criminal justice system for young offenders, first time offenders, and people who suffer from addiction and mental health issues.  These programs allow offenders to move forward in life without a criminal record.

As mentioned above, we had the opportunity to help build the largest DA-driven diversion program in the nation.  Since leaving that office and starting our firm, we have seen many other counties in Texas adopt similar programs.  Our knowledge about these programs helps us guide clients toward their best options and make the quickest return possible to healthy, productive lives. 

7. What’s your “one thing” that most drives your professional success?

After years of experience, we know how to earn trust with clients and work through discovery and interviews to quickly analyze a case. At that point—and this is the key—we set our sights on a plausible, but ambitious, goal and work steadily from every angle to attain that result.  The process is not always fast, but our patient, steadfast efforts have proven successful when working with prosecutors and judges.  If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

8. What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career as a lawyer?

We cannot overstate the benefit of having experienced both sides of the criminal justice system.  It was hard for us as prosecutors to fully appreciate the power at our disposal to affect the lives and futures of those criminally accused.  That power should be handled with great humility and caution.  The process of learning how to balance the interests of the state, our society, any victims involved, and the accused person takes considerable time and self-reflection.   

9. What are you reading right now?

Messina—

I have just finished The Splendid and the Vile, a work of nonfiction about Winston Churchill by Erik Larson, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!  Larson is best known for The Devil in the White City.  In this book he explores London during WWII and Hitler’s bombing campaign.  It’s a great read right now as we deal with a pandemic—to hear about the strength of citizens and leaders during this crisis.  It gave me a helpful perspective as well as tremendous admiration for Larson’s ability to tell a great story.  

Kendall—

I just finished reading Watership Down by Richard Adams with my oldest daughter.  I am a sucker for the classics, and I love that book.  Who knew a novel about a bunch of talking rabbits could teach so much about leadership and the whole being greater than the sum of the parts?  I’m also reading a couple of books on business and leadership: Integrity by Dr. Henry Cloud and Traction by Gino Wickman.

To learn more about the criminal defense boutique, please visit Madson Castello.

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