San Antonio, Texas • Serving Clients Throughout Texas 210-319-5959 bud@paulissenlaw.com
Walter L. "Bud" Paulissen, standing portrait

Walter L. "Bud" Paulissen

Law Office of Walter L. Paulissen, LLC

Forty-One Years on Both Sides of the Bench

Former federal prosecutor, Chief of Major Crimes, and United States Immigration Judge — now representing individuals and businesses across Texas.

41+
Years in Federal Law
28
Years as Federal Prosecutor
13
Years Chief, Major Crimes
6+
Years as Immigration Judge
What We Do

Practice Areas

Four focused areas of practice, each shaped by a distinct chapter of Bud's federal career.

Selective Intake

Federal Criminal Defense

28+ years as a federal prosecutor, including 13 as Chief of Major Crimes, gives Bud Paulissen strong insight into how the government builds its case — and how to counter it.

Business Clients

Immigration — Employer Defense

Representing businesses facing I-9 audits, unauthorized-worker enforcement, and related immigration matters, informed by 6+ years on the immigration bench.

Statewide

Expunction of Arrest Records

Efficient, flat-fee removal of eligible arrest records from your record. Serving clients throughout Texas, including Austin and San Antonio.

Statewide

Padilla Letters

Prompt turn-around of evaluation of criminal conviction or other disposition upon client's immigration status.

Career History

A Career Built in Federal Courtrooms

Three decades of federal service preceded the founding of this practice.

1980
Graduated The University of Texas Law School
Licensed in the State of Texas
1984
Entered State and Federal Litigation Practice (Criminal and Civil)
Left corporate employment and joined litigation practice
1990 – 1997
Assistant United States Attorney
Houston Division, Southern District of Texas
1997 – 2019
Assistant United States Attorney
San Antonio Division, Western District of Texas
2000 – 2013
Chief of Major Crimes
San Antonio Division, Western District of Texas
2019 – 2025
United States Immigration Judge
San Antonio, Texas
2026 – Present
Law Office of Walter L. Paulissen, LLC
San Antonio, Texas
About Walter

A Prosecutor's Instinct. A Judge's Perspective.

Walter L. "Bud" Paulissen spent 28 years as a federal prosecutor — beginning in Houston in 1990 and continuing in San Antonio — including thirteen years leading the Major Crimes section. In 2019 he was appointed a United States Immigration Judge, a role he held for six years. Colleagues and clients alike know him simply as Bud.

In 2026, he founded the Law Office of Walter L. Paulissen, LLC to bring that federal perspective directly to clients — individuals seeking a clean record, and businesses and individuals facing serious federal exposure.

Get in Touch
Walter L. "Bud" Paulissen, attorney portrait

State Bar Membership

  • State Bar of Texas
  • Criminal Justice Section
  • Immigration and Nationality Law Section

Professional Memberships

  • Member, William J. Sessions Inn of Court
  • Member, National Association of Immigration Judges (retired status)
  • San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
  • Mexican American Bar Association, San Antonio Chapter

Admitted to Practice

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • Supreme Court of the United States
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Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Consultations are available for all matters. Expunctions and Padilla Letters can often be handled with emails and telephone conferences.

Schedule a Consultation
Get in Touch

Contact the Firm

Based in San Antonio, Texas — serving clients throughout the State of Texas.