Don Riddle
Mr. Don R. Riddle was born in Abilene, TX in 1937. He attended public schools in Waco, TX and graduated Baylor University in 1960 with the degree of BA (Journalism). He served as newspaper reporter for the Big Spring Daily Herald, in Big Spring, TX prior to his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he was awarded the Leatherneck Award as Platoon Honor Man following his boot camp training at MCRD San Diego. He later served as Physical Director at the YMCA in Midland, TX, and while there he married his wife of 47 years, the former Jenny Brunton.
Mr. Riddle attended the University of Houston School of Law, where he was Associate Editor of the Law Review, Charter Member of the Advocates, and received several special awards; he graduated with the degree of LLB, Cum Laude, in 1966 (later changed to JD Cum Laude). He began the practice of law as a trial lawyer with the then-prestigious law firm of Brown, Kronzer, Abraham, Watkins, and Steely in Houston, where he became a partner of the firm in 1969. In 1974 he organized the firm of Riddle, Murphrey, O’Quinn, and Cannon where he continued to practice as a Houston-based trial lawyer with his three partners.
Mr. Riddle was part of the first small group of Texas attorneys in 1977 certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a Personal Injury Trial Specialist when such specialization certification began. He is a Charter Member of the Houston Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He is a past Director of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and a past member of the Harris County Grievance Committee. Since he became eligible in 1976 he has held the highest qualification (AV) ranking given by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been honored by Martindale-Hubbell in the Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers. He has consistently been named as one of the Super Lawyers of Texas by Texas Monthly magazine, and he has been recognized as exemplary in his field in Who’s Who of American Attorneys.
In 1988 Forbes Magazine recognized Mr. Riddle as being in the Top 20 Trial Lawyers in America; he is credentialed by Woodward-White as among the Best Lawyers in America. He received the Alumnus of the Year award by the University of Houston Law Alumni Association in 2002. He is recognized with membership in most of the prestige organizations applicable to his specialization practice as a trial lawyer. He has participated in, and tried approximately 200 jury cases to conclusion in Texas and several other states, some of which are among the highest-profile cases in history, including his successful defense of disbarment proceedings against his former protégé and law partner John O’Quinn, prior to his untimely accidental death.
Since 1995 Mr. Riddle has continued in private practice with his son, Todd Riddle (JD UH ’94).
