Rod Ponton, an accomplished attorney with over forty years of practice, has played a pivotal role in the legal landscape of West Texas. He has held significant roles including district attorney, county attorney, and city attorney across various communities. Notably, his defense of Henry Lee Lucas in a high-profile capital murder case in El Paso earned him the 1987 Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year award from the State Bar of Texas.
Mr. Ponton’s career encompasses serving as the 83rd District attorney for multiple counties, city attorney for both Pecos and Presidio, and chair of the West Pecos Management District. He established Big Bend Law, a private firm specializing in real estate, civil litigation, family law, probate, and estate planning.
A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law with a bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television, and Film from The University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Ponton uniquely merges his legal acumen with a robust media background, enriching his effectiveness in legal communications.
Mr. Ponton also gained global attention as “the Cat Lawyer” after a Zoom call filter mishap in February 2021 turned him into a viral sensation. His humorous and resilient handling of the incident led to widespread media coverage and endeared him further to the public, enhancing his profile beyond legal circles.
In honor of his deep commitment to public service and his enduring impact on the legal profession, the Texas Senate recognized Rod Ponton with a resolution, celebrating his extensive contributions to West Texas and acknowledging his distinguished career with high regard.
Big Bend Law 