About Ashley S
Ashley S Gilmore built a foundation in the liberal arts at Stanford University before turning to law. She earned her J.D. at the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona. Those years shaped how she approaches cases: attentive to detail and attentive to the narrative behind the facts.
Her early career took her into public service. In 2013 she served as an Assistant District Lawyer in the Tarrant County District Lawyer’s Office. That role placed her in courtrooms on a regular basis and exposed her to a wide range of prosecutorial practices. It also tested the skills newer lawyers need: quick thinking, clear writing and steady courtroom presence.
By 2015 she had moved into private practice as a criminal defense lawyer with Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC. In that capacity she represented clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges. She handled pretrial investigation, negotiated pleas and argued motions. The switch from public prosecution to defense gave her a view of the system from both sides of the aisle.
Throughout her career she has maintained professional membership in at least one legal association. That connection keeps her informed of developments in criminal law and of procedural changes at the local level. She has also continued to engage in the practical work of litigation, from jury selection to sentencing hearings, rather than shifting to primarily transactional work.
Colleagues describe her style as practical and direct. She prepares for hearings with an eye for procedure and precedent. In trial she emphasizes fundamentals: clear openings, orderly presentation of evidence and focused cross-examination. Outside court she works with investigators and expert witnesses when a matter requires technical or forensic support.
She is based in Texas and practices under the banner of Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC. Her caseload spans a range of criminal matters in state courts. Clients seek her out for representation in contested cases as well as for counsel on negotiating resolutions. She continues to practice criminal defense at Barnett Howard & Williams PLLC in Texas.
