Benson Varghese

Benson Varghese

Benson Varghese is the founder and managing partner of Varghese Summersett, a premier Texas law firm known for its elite attorneys and exceptional results in personal injury, family, and criminal law. In addition to overseeing the firm — which has offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston — Benson is a seasoned trial attorney and a skilled negotiator dedicated to helping people through life’s greatest challenges.

Benson is also a legal tech founder. He unveiled Lawft, a law practice management platform, at the 2025 ABA TechShow, winning second place for emerging technologies. Lawft is a legal platform that helps lawyers manage their practice and grow their business while providing exceptional levels of customer service.

Benson is the author of Tapped In: Lessons for Law Firm Growth and the host of Tapped In, a podcast for lawyers.

In addition to his leadership and vision, Benson is an exceptional trial lawyer with a proven track record in both criminal and personal injury law. A former prosecutor who is Board Certified in Criminal Law — the highest designation an attorney can reach — Benson has tried more than 100 state and federal criminal cases before Texas juries, ranging from DWI to murder. He is widely recognized for his precision, preparation, and poise under pressure.

Benson also has a unique perspective on personal injury law. While he now handles the firm’s most significant cases, he gained first-hand insights from the other side. Before starting law school, he spent a year working as an insurance adjuster—a perspective that now benefits the firm’s personal injury clients, whose lives have been upended due to negligence or wrongdoing.

Benson’s work goes beyond standing up for the underdog in court. He has effected changes in Texas law that benefit every Texan. For example, Benson helped pass the Athena Alert — a statewide emergency notification system designed to aid in the quick recovery of missing children.

Benson’s dedication to excellence in the legal field is reflected in the numerous accolades he has received. He has been named a Top 500 Most Influential Person in Fort Worth, an Outstanding Lawyer of Tarrant County, an Entrepreneur of Excellence, a Top Attorney, and a Super Lawyer, among numerous other accolades. He is the past chair of the Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and is an avid supporter of numerous philanthropic and non-profit organizations.

Regularly sought after by the media for his expert legal commentary on both local and national issues, Benson is a recognized authority in the field of law. Under his leadership, Varghese Summersett has achieved significant milestones, including being named twice as one of the fastest-growing businesses in America by Inc. 5000 magazine; being named a Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber; and a best company to work for in Fort Worth by Fort Worth Inc. for three consecutive years.

Want to learn more about Benson? Read this write-up in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Personal Injury Practice Areas

• Wrongful Death
• Car Wrecks
• Trucking Accidents
• Motorcycle Crashes
• DWI Accidents
• Premise Liability Claims
• Product Liability Claims
• Oil and Gas Accidents
• Construction Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents

Criminal Defense Practice Areas

• Federal Criminal Defense
• White Collar Defense
• Healthcare Fraud
• Tax Fraud
• Local Counsel in Federal Cases in the Northern District of Texas
• High Profile or Celebrity Defense
• Charges involving elected officials

Honors & Awards

• Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist
• Adjunct Faculty Member, Baylor Law School
• Named one of Fort Worth Inc.’s 500 Most Influential People, 2025
• Recipient of the Richard L. Knight Rotary Minority Business Award, 2025
• Recognized in 2024 by Inc. 5000 as one of America’s Fastest Growing Law Firms (No.38) and Fastest Growing Private Companies (No. 2126)
• Named a Best Place for Working Parents, 2023 – 2025
• Named a Best Law Firm, Best Lawyers, 2024
• Named a Best Place to Work in Fort Worth, Fort Worth Inc., 2023-2025
• Named a DFW Favorite, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2023 – 2025
• Named one of Fort Worth Inc.’s 400 Most Influential People, 2024
• Named a “Small Business of the Year,” Fort Worth Chamber, 2023
• Named a Super Lawyer, Super Lawyer Magazine, 2022-Present
• Named a Top Attorney, 360 West Magazine, 2017 – Present
• Named a Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2016 – Present
• Named a Top Attorney, Southlake Style, 2024-2025
• Finalist for Entrepreneur of Excellence Award, Service Category, Fort Worth Inc. Magazine, 2017, 2023, 2024
• Named to the Texas Lawyer’s Watch List, 2023
• Named a Top 100 Rising Star in Texas, Super Lawyer Magazine, 2020 – 2021
• Named the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, 2019
• Named One of Fort Worth’s Fastest Growing Companies (No. 6), Fort Worth Inc. Magazine, 2019
• Recognized in 2018 by Inc. 5000 as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies (No. 728)
• Voted Best Law Firm, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2018
• Named a Minority Leader in Business, Fort Worth Business Press, 2017
• Selected as a Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2016 – 2022
• Recipient of the Martindale Hubbell “Client Champion” Award, 2017
• Named “Premier 100 Trial Attorney” by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys
• Rated 10.0 by AVVO
• Client’s Choice Award: Criminal Defense, Federal Criminal Defense, DUI Defense

Education

• Texas Tech University School of Law (JD)
• Southern Methodist University (BBA)

Professional Experience

• Founder & Managing Partner, Varghese Summersett, 2014 – Present
• Assistant District Attorney, Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, 2010-2014
• Staff Attorney, Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 1, 2009
• Intern, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, White Collar Division, 2008-2009

Bar Admissions

• Texas
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
• United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Philanthropic & Community Involvement

Varghese Summersett Special Need Scholarships: Awarded over $35,000 to 56 students across the country to support therapy and developmental services for children with autism and Down syndrome.

Elena Rios Memorial Scholarship: An annual $1,500 scholarship in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs, honoring a local student and preserving Elena’s legacy.

Athena Alert Advocacy: Helped drive the passage of the Athena Alert, a statewide emergency notification system designed to expedite the recovery of missing children.

Varghese Summersett Criminal Justice Changemaker Scholarship: An annual $1,000 award to a law student dedicated to justice and advocacy.

Tylan Wallace Youth Football Camp: Proud sponsor of this NFL-led youth camp, providing mentorship, backpacks, and resources to local kids.

Boys & Girls Club Back-to-School Bash: Partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County to supply essential school supplies to underserved students.

Adoption Teddy Drive: Donated teddy bears to children in Tarrant County Family Courts to bring comfort on their adoption day.

Cowtown Brush Up: Firm volunteers work with Trinity Habitat for Humanity twice a year to repair and paint homes for families in need.

Support for Local Schools and Nonprofits: Sponsors local legal associations, school bands, sports teams, and events, including the Wayne Ward Memorial Golf Tournament and Fort Worth Paralegal Association.

Habitat for Humanity – Volunteer and supporter through Cowtown Brush Up.

WORTH – Supporter of WORTH (the Next Generation of Philanthropists), a Fort Worth-based initiative of the North Texas Community Foundation.

Downtown Fort Worth Rotary – Active member, fostering service and professional ethics. Awarded Minority Business of the Year in 2025.

Tarrant County Volunteer Services – Committed to community assistance and support initiatives.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History – Supporter of educational programming and family outreach.

Course Director, White Collar Seminar – Led continuing legal education seminars focused on complex white collar crime in 2018 and 2019.