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COOKE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

The County Attorney is responsible for prosecuting adults charged with misdemeanor criminal offenses such as family violence assault, driving while intoxicated and theft; prosecuting juveniles charged with misdemeanor and felony criminal offenses; and advising the Commissioners Court and other elected officials and department heads on legal matters.


The County Attorney is legally and ethically prohibited from advising members of the public regarding private matters.

 

EDMUND J. ZIELINSKI
COUNTY ATTORNEY
101 S. Dixon Street, Suite 029A
Gainesville, Texas 76240
 
TELEPHONE (940) 668-5459
FAX (940) 668-5444

Ed has been licensed to practice law in both New York and Texas and was a Captain in the United States Army.  He has served as General Counsel for a non-profit organization; Assistant District Attorney in Cooke County and also as the Justice of the Peace.  Ed received a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Detroit, Juris Doctor Degree from Gonzaga University School of Law in Washington and is a graduate from United States Army Judge Advocate General's School. 

 

Headshot of Andrea Townsend, a white female with blonde hair; she wears a black suit jacket over a blue and black horizontal striped blouse.

JENNIFER SLACK
ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY

TELEPHONE (940) 668-5459
FAX (940) 668-5444

Jennifer began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney with the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. She prosecuted a variety of misdemeanor and felony cases, devoting an entire decade to prosecuting family violence cases and helping victims receive protective orders. After 12 years with the criminal division, she joined the civil division for five years. As legal counsel for Lubbock County, she advised department heads and elected officials, handled contracts, Public Information Act requests, expunctions, and assisted in civil litigation for the county in both state and federal courts. She served as vice chair of the South Plains Association of Government Criminal Justice Advisory Committee. One of her passions is teaching, and she was able to utilize her teaching background in training other prosecutors, law enforcement, and victim advocates. She has also been a speaker for the Texas District and County Association on several occasions. 

In 2024, she moved to Cooke County and started private practice, handling misdemeanor and felony criminal cases as defense counsel. She also practiced in the areas of expunctions, probate, guardianship, and family law. 

Jennifer was raised in a small town in west Texas and graduated from Texas Tech University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.  She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech School of Law in 2006.

Headshot of Michael Krebs, a white male with black hair; he wears a dark blue suit jacket, a white button-up, and a red tie.

MICHAEL KREBS
County Attorney Criminal Investigator

TELEPHONE (940) 668-5509

Michael Krebs began his career in law enforcement in 2004. After graduating from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, he attended the Texoma Regional Police Academy where he graduated as the Salutatorian of his class. Michael began his career as an officer with the Denison Police Department. After a few years there, he decided to move back to his hometown where he served with the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office for 14 ½ years.