Michael J. "Mike" Guarino is an experienced and highly regarded litigator and trial lawyer. He served as Galveston County Criminal District Attorney for 20 years (1983-2003). He practices criminal, juvenile, personal injury and general litigation law. Mr. Guarino has over 40 years experience as a Texas attorney and has earned a reputation of aggressively protecting the rights of his clients. He has attained the Martindale-Hubbell "AV Preeminent Status" which is a peer rating for the highest level of professional excellence including ethics and legal ability.
Personal Information
MICHAEL J. GUARINO
Born in Houston, Texas, August 22, 1949
Resident of League City, Texas
Married to Jeannie Apffel Guarino
Children: Kelley Guarino Caballero
Education
Legal Education
South Texas College of Law Houston J.D. - 1974
Undergraduate Education
S.M.U., Dallas, Texas B.A. Political Science - 1971
High School
Strake Jesuit College Prep., Houston, Texas 1967
Employment
Bettison, Doyle, Apffel & Guarino, P.C. (Partner) 2003 - 2016
6710 Stewart Road, Suite 300
Galveston, Texas 77551
Criminal District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas January 1, 1983 - December 31, 2002
First Assistant District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas 1981 - 1982
Assistant District Attorney
Galveston County, Texas 1974 - 1981
Memberships-Certifications-Honors
State Bar of Texas
Galveston County Bar Association
Certified as guardian ad litem in general civil cases including tax cases
Special Commissioner in Galveston County Condemnation Cases
Certified as attorney and guardian ad litem in civil probate-guardianship-heirship cases
Presenter and former Chair of Galveston County Civil Ad Litem Certification Seminar
Texas District and County Attorneys Association 1974 - Present
Texas District and County Attorneys Foundation
-Founding member of the Board of Trustees 2006 - 2010
-Advisory Committee 2010 - present
- Founding Fellow-Texas Prosecutor Society 2010
Honored by State Bar of Texas in 2013 for providing outstanding
pro bono legal services to veterans in Galveston County
Martindale-Hubbell highest peer rating of "AV Preeminent Status"
Civic-Religious
Founding Member – Child Advocacy Center of Galveston County 1996 - 2002
Former president of Board of Directors
Capital campaign chairman for building of new center in 2002
Three-year campaign that successfully raised $850,000.00
Big Brothers-Big Sisters Gulf Coast, Inc.
Big Brother – 1977-1980
Regular board and advisory board 35 Years
Board president – 1980-1983 and 1987-1988
Rotary Club of Galveston 1981- Present
Club President 2020-2021
Former Club Foundation Trustee
Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary District 5910 Roll of Fame
VIT Rotarian Association (Club Foundation)
Most valuable member in 2009-2010
Former member and president of Board of Directors of Galveston
County Employees Credit Union
St. Mary Catholic Church-League City, Texas
SMU Mustang Club
Ducks Unlimited