Welcome

Chase Winchester founded East Texas Law Group after a successful career as an assistant District Attorney. Mr. Winchester graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in government and a minor in philosophy. Following his undergraduate studies, he earned his law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2022. After law school, Mr. Winchester moved to his family ranch in Cushing, Texas, where he began his career in criminal defense as an assistant district attorney in Anderson County. With a focus on family law, estate planning, and probate matters, he is dedicated to serving the legal needs of clients across Cherokee County.

Mr. Winchester handled misdemeanors, felonies, and civil matters in all stages of litigation and trial throughout Cherokee County. As a former trial prosecutor, he managed hundreds of criminal cases, ranging from traffic tickets to felony drug possession, participating in all phases of litigation, including jury trials. In addition to his extensive experience in criminal defense, Mr. Winchester will also be addressing a variety of legal matters such as family law, estate planning, wills, and mediation.

Chase is a born and raised Texan with deep family ties to East Texas, specifically Cherokee County. When he is not in the courtroom practicing criminal defense, he enjoys spending time with family, reading, and managing his family ranch in Cushing, Texas. Additionally, he is knowledgeable in estate planning and family law, and is the proud owner of two dachshunds.

Laura Roth, a native of the small Central Texas town of Marlin, is a Texas trial lawyer who specializes in various areas including criminal defense, family law, probate, real estate law, CPS, and estate planning. Mrs. Roth obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Asian Studies with a minor in Japanese from The University of Texas at Austin, and she proudly serves clients throughout Cherokee County.

During her undergraduate studies, she participated in the Semester at Sea program where she studied aboard a ship, traveling around the globe and visiting countries such as Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Japan. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Mrs. Roth taught English in Japan to students aged 6 to adult. Following her time in Japan, Mrs. Roth worked in various roles, including positions at Dell and the Department of Veteran Affairs, and served as a Project Manager for an IT Services company. Now, she applies her diverse experiences to her work in Cherokee County, focusing on areas such as criminal defense, estate planning, family law, and probate.

In 2006, Mrs. Roth attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and graduated in January 2010. She had the distinct honor of being the Augustus B. Woodard Class Valedictory Speaker at her graduation. Shortly thereafter, she became a licensed attorney in May of 2010 following the February Bar Exam. Laura Roth worked under another attorney before opening her own office in Austin, Texas, in the summer of 2010, where she specializes in family law, estate planning, and criminal defense, as well as probate matters for clients in Cherokee County.

Laura Roth managed this office and litigated extensively in Travis and Williamson Counties before relocating to East Texas in the Fall of 2022. Between March 2020 and July 2025, Mrs. Roth had the privilege of serving as a Municipal Court Associate Judge for the city of Bee Cave, where she also gained valuable experience in areas such as criminal defense and family law. Additionally, Laura Roth served for one year as the Associate Municipal Court Judge for the city of Pflugerville, further enhancing her legal expertise, which now includes estate planning and probate matters in Cherokee County.

After years of litigation, serving as a Judge during dockets, bench, and jury trials further honed her litigation skills. In both Cherokee County and other cities, Mrs. Roth helped develop the Teen Court programs, which became a source of service, pride, and passion for her. From January 2024 until July 2025, Mrs. Roth worked as a prosecutor in the Anderson County District Attorney’s office, where she assisted in the prosecution and resolution of hundreds of criminal cases, including misdemeanor and felony jury trials, all while maintaining her commitment to family law and estate planning.

Working as a prosecutor in Cherokee County was an invaluable experience for Mrs. Roth, where she gained essential knowledge, skills, and insight that she calls upon while defending criminal defense cases. There is no greater title in the world that Mrs. Roth enjoys more than being called 'Mamma.' She takes immense pride in her young daughter, who receives all the free time she can spare! Additionally, Mrs. Roth is a devoted member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Crockett, Texas, and is also involved in family law and estate planning, ensuring she can assist her community with probate matters.

Mrs. Roth lives nearby in Cherokee County with her family on a 20-acre property filled with animals, and she is proud to call East Texas home, where she also engages in estate planning and family law matters, including criminal defense and probate.

Erin Gardner has proudly lived in Cherokee County for 35 years and is a valued member of the team, specializing in family law and estate planning. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, antique shopping, and raising cattle. Erin and her husband, Wes, love attending Texas Tech University football games, cheering on their son, Wade, who is a junior majoring in economics at TTU. They are also aware of the importance of criminal defense and probate matters in their community. Wreck 'Em Tech!