Howard Dworman

Attorney at Law

Attorney Howard Dworman is a DUI and criminal defense attorney, with a previous career in law enforcement. Howard is licensed to practice in Arizona, in the United States Federal District Court, and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Howard is an experienced and appropriately aggressive trial attorney. Howard represents each of his clients with determination and enthusiasm. As a result, Howard has obtained not-guilty verdicts for most of his jury trials.

I am so grateful to you for representing me in court, and for being a powerful advocate for me throughout the difficult year. Thank you so much for your passionate, thoughtful & brilliant work!

Howard is an active member of various professional organizations; these include the National College of DUI Defense (NCDD), DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ). In his legal career, Howard has garnered several awards and recognition for his DUI and criminal defense work. Howard was awarded recognition in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. He has a superb rating of 10-out-of-10 on AVVO. Avvo is a website with every lawyer in every state providing ratings, reviews, and disciplinary records for them; it also lets people leave ratings and reviews of lawyers they have worked with. Martindale-Hubbell® has awarded Howard the Clients Champion award and is a Peer Review Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®, recognized as the gold standard in attorney ratings. This distinguished organization has recognized attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards for over a century. Lawyers of Distinction recognized him for his excellence in criminal defense law.

Howard was born and raised in Metro-Detroit, Michigan. Howard attended Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where, in 2006, he earned his B.A. in Criminal Justice. Howard is proud to be a Bronco. During his time at Western Michigan, he engaged in social events, worked full-time, and was active in intramural ice hockey, roller hockey, and soccer. When he was not busy with friends, sports, or studies, Howard was actively involved in the Criminal Justice Student Association. Howard’s scholastic achievements afforded him the opportunity to work alongside many professors as a Teaching Assistant. The College of Arts and Sciences recognized Howard’s work and proudly presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation upon graduation.

Following undergrad, Howard moved back to Metro-Detroit and became a Parole and Probation Officer at the Michigan Department of Corrections. After two years Howard was promoted from Field Agent to Court Liaison where he represented his colleagues in court, conducted pre-sentence investigations, and drafted pre-sentence reports for many high-profile cases. Howard’s analytical thinking complimented his role as a Court Liaison Officer. In 2011, Howard relocated to Arizona. He continued his profession as a probation officer with the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department. Howard’s experience, strengths, and abilities were immediately recognized by the Adult Probation Department, and he was immediately assigned to an Intensive Probation Supervision (“IPS”) caseload. Additionally, the State of Arizona recognized Howard’s accomplishments and experience; Howard served as active member of the AZ Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission (“GIITEM”), and an adjunct instructor for courses in defensive driving courses and defensive tactics.

In 2013, Howard retired from community corrections to fulfill his life-long dream and attend law school. After completing his first-year courses, Howard earned a merit-based scholarship for academic success and performance. While attending law school, as expected, Howard’s warm and welcoming personality shined. Howard was the President and Co-Founder of the Criminal Law Society, a student group which focused on networking and giving back to the community. Howard applied to and was appointed to advocate for his fellow students as an Honor Court Defender. Moreover, Howard’s peers elected him to represent them during their final year as a Student Bar Association Delegate. Howard also advanced his integrity as a member and Officer with the Phi Alpha Delta national law fraternity, as the Goldwater Chapter Marshal. Finally, in 2015, Howard was awarded the prestigious Danny A. Foundation Memorial Scholarship in Criminal Law. Throughout law school, Howard proudly received several Dean’s List awards, and, on December 15, 2015. earned his Juris Doctorate degree as he graduated near the top of his class.

Howard’s Criminal Defense experiences include State and Federal misdemeanor and felony matters, including but not limited to: Rights Restoration Cases, Reckless Driving, Driving on Suspended License, Misdemeanor and Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Marijuana and Narcotic Drugs, Misdemeanor and Aggravated Assault, Probation Violations, Domestic Violence, Violation of Order of Protection, Disorderly Conduct, Gun Crimes, Computer Crimes, Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Fraud, Theft of Property, Theft of Identity, Burglary, Robbery, Homicides, Kidnapping, Theft of Means of Transportation, and Injunction Against Harassment.

Additionally, Howard has drafted and argued appellate briefs at the State and Federal levels, including the Arizona Supreme Court and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Howard has conducted bench and jury trials, evidentiary hearings, probable cause hearings, and in-custody Initial Appearances.

Admissions

  • State of Arizona: June 2016
  • United States Federal District Court, District of Arizona: October 2016
  • The United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals: February 2017

Education

  • Arizona Summit Law School
    • J.D., Law
    • Graduated: December 2015
  • Western Michigan University
    • B.A., Criminal Justice
    • Graduated: April 2006

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Member
  • Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ) Member
  • DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA), Member
  • National College for DUI Defense (NCDD), Member
  • Lawyers of Distinction, Member
  • National Criminal Defense College (NCDC), Member
  • Maricopa County Bar Association, Member
  • Top Lawyers USA: Criminal Defense, Lifetime Member

HD - Top Lawyer Badge-2024

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® – DUI/DWI Defense, Criminal Defense: General Practice & Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2024
  • Excellence in Criminal Defense Law: Lawyers of Distinction, 2022 & 2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Reviewed: Highest Level of Professional Excellence, 2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell® Client Champion Award, 2021 – Present
  • AVVO Clients’ Choice Award, 2017 – Present