TERRY BENTLEY HILL is a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney who practices law in Dallas, Texas. Ms. Bentley Hill’s practice takes her into the courtroom everyday where she represents the interests of individuals accused of misdemeanor and felony crimes in state and federal courts.
Many of Ms. Bentley Hill’s clients suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues, and she devotes her energy and time in finding the appropriate legal solution that provides her clients the opportunity to get needed help, which may in turn transform their lives from criminals to productive citizens.
Ms. Bentley Hill became passionate about removing the stigma of mental illness and substance abuse following the deaths of her husband and her 14-year-old daughter to suicide. Both daughter and husband suffered from depression, and the disease of alcoholism complicated her husband’s mental illness. Ms. Bentley Hill quickly realized a cloud of shame and misunderstanding accompanied diseases of the brain. It became her healing mission to help others suffering from the illnesses – along with their families – by educating and raising awareness, but most importantly, by offering hope.
Currently, Ms. Bentley Hill serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas. She has told her story of grief and recovery to thousands of people at events throughout the State of Texas.
Ms. Bentley Hill serves as an Advisory Board member of CARE (Chemical Awareness Resources & Education) in Dallas, Texas. She has been the featured speaker at its annual fundraiser. In Tarrant County, Texas, Ms. Bentley Hill serves on the Board of the Recovery Resource Counsel. She also serves as an Advisory Board member of the 24 Hour Club of Dallas, Texas. For the last three years, she emceed the Grant Halliburton Foundation Beacon of Hope Luncheon, and in May 2013 she hosted the Jim Bradshaw Memorial Stars In Recovery Luncheon in Ft. Worth, Texas. Ms. Bentley Hill and her husband are the 2016 Honorary Co-Chairmen of the Fashion Stars For A Cause event benefiting the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas.
Ms. Bentley Hill is an active member of the Dallas Chapter of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and volunteers for the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program through the State Bar of Texas. In 2011, The State Bar of Texas recognized her work with attorneys experiencing anxiety, depression and substance abuse by awarding her its Presidential Citation.
As a member of the Dallas Bar Association, Ms. Bentley Hill provides pro bono work to indigent citizens through the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, and she serves as a Board Member of the Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association.
Ms. Bentley Hill is married to fellow attorney Tom Krampitz who has a governmental affairs firm in Ft. Worth, Texas. They have four daughters Cadie, Elizabeth, Bentley, and Hallie (deceased).
Education
- The University of Texas At Austin (Bachelor of Journalism) 1980
- Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (J.D.) 2008
Professional Memberships and Associations
- State Bar of Texas
- Dallas Bar Association
- Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- The College of the State Bar of Texas
- National Trial Lawyers
- Texas Lawyers Assistance Program
- Lawyers Concerned For Lawyers
- Dallas Volunteer Assistance Program
- Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- United States Supreme Court
Honors
- Presidential Citation from the State Bar of Texas, 2011
- Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2016
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Dallas’ Best Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mental Health Attorney, Dallas County
- Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2015
- D Magazine, Best Lawyers In Dallas, Criminal Defense, 2016