Dayna Jones

Dayna L. Jones is a seasoned criminal defense and appellate attorney based in San Antonio, Texas. Known for her sharp legal insight and unwavering commitment to protecting her clients’ rights, Dayna has built a respected reputation for tackling complex criminal cases with precision and integrity.

A native of the Pacific Northwest, Dayna earned her degree in International Studies with a concentration in Law and Diplomacy from the University of Oregon, along with a minor in Political Science. She studied abroad at the Tec de Monterrey in Cuernavaca, Mexico, expanding her language skills in French and Spanish.

In 2004, she moved to Texas to attend St. Mary’s University School of Law. While there, she clerked for Goldstein, Goldstein & Hilley, competed on the Trial Team, and wrote for The Scholar Law Review. Her work in law school sparked a lifelong dedication to criminal defense and appellate practice. For her dedication to advocacy and superior skills in brief writing while in law school, Dayna was honored by being inducted into the prestigious Order of the Barrister. Upon graduation, she was recognized with the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Scholarship for her commitment to defending the accused.

Over the years, Dayna has represented clients in cases ranging from misdemeanors such as DWI and assault to serious felonies including sexual assault, drug trafficking, and murder. Her experience spans every stage of the criminal process, from pre-trial strategy through post-conviction review.

Dayna is known amongst her peers as a go-to lawyer for post-conviction work. Several of her cases are listed in the National Registry of Exonerations with many more cases overturned. Dayna also teaches Wrongful Convictions and Constitutional Criminal Procedure  at St. Mary’s School of Law’s Master of Legal Studies program.  

Today, Dayna leads her firm alongside her law partner, Daniel De La Garza, a skilled trial attorney who handles most of the firm’s trial-level cases. Daniel’s focus in the courtroom allows Dayna to concentrate on post-conviction writs, appeals, and other complex legal challenges, giving clients the advantage of a defense team that covers every phase of the criminal process — from the first appearance to the final appeal.

A significant portion of Dayna’s work involves appellate and post-conviction advocacy. She has argued before the Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Dallas, the Thirteenth Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin. Her deep knowledge of appellate procedure and her strategic approach have earned her the trust of clients and peers alike.

Dayna is an active member of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Associations where she serves on the Executive Board. She frequently lectures at continuing legal education seminars on writs of habeas corpus, appellate practice, ethics, and, as a mom of neurodivergent children, she often educates colleagues on handling cases involving individuals with special needs.

Licensed in the State of Texas and in the Western and Southern Districts of Texas, Dayna brings a relentless drive, meticulous preparation, and a client-first philosophy to every case. Together, she and Daniel De La Garza provide comprehensive, aggressive, and compassionate representation for individuals facing criminal charges or seeking justice after conviction.