Primary Practice Areas:
Small Business and Commercial
Personal Injury Law
Accident and Wrongful Death
Special Needs Issues
Education:
Doctorate of Jurisprudence (2011)Baylor University School of Law - Waco, Texas
Bachelor of Arts Psychology (2001)
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor - Belton, Texas
Diploma (1998)
Sanderson High School - Raleigh, North Carolina
Bar Admissions:
Personal Snapshot
I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. My family moved to Austin during my freshman year of college and I came to Texas the summer between my Sophomore and Junior year. I lived for several years in Fort Worth, where I met my husband while on a mission trip with our church. We both moved to Waco so that I could attend Baylor Law School and we were married the summer after my first year of law school. My husband is a teacher and the head girl’s basketball coach in Clifton, Texas. We have two “kids”: a cat named Stanley and an Airedale Terrier named Mattie.
How I Found My Way to the Law
Growing up, I was told by family and friends that I should be a lawyer. This was based mostly on how much I enjoyed debating issues in class or over the dinner table. When I started college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to work with people, in a professional setting, who needed someone to help them through a problem they couldn't solve on their own. At the time, I decided that I would become a marriage and family therapist and earned my degree in psychology. Shortly before graduation, I determined that my personality wasn’t suited to being a therapist. I received my degree but was back to not knowing what I wanted to be when I grew up. For several years after college, I worked at various administrative jobs, and even spent a year teaching English in China. I knew that just having a job wasn’t enough; I wanted a career. I still had the desire to help people and I finally took the advice of my family and friends and attended Baylor Law School. I graduated with my Juris Doctor in the spring of 2011.
How I Look at the Law
I enjoy cases where I can work with someone to achieve a specific goal that is important to them. That goal could be coming to an agreement regarding a business transaction or determining a custody arrangement. It sounds odd for an attorney to say, but I don't really thrive on conflict. I prefer cases where the parties are looking to come to the correct outcome, not just to trick the other side into giving up something. Despite my preference for mediated resolutions, if someone has been wronged or injured and the other side isn't living up to their responsibility, I have no problem going after the other party and making sure that my client's rights are upheld and that they are compensated in the way that they deserve.
How I Deal With Clients
I have handled criminal, probate, consumer protection, debt collection, and family law cases. Because I am a very empathetic person, I have a great deal of compassion for my clients. I try to be even-tempered and matter-of-fact in my interactions with them. Although I am responsive and willing to listen to their concerns, I don’t give them false impressions of their potential outcomes. When someone is going through an emotional event, as many of my clients are, it helps to have someone who is honest, level-headed, and steady next to them. I consider service to my clients as a means of living my faith. All current and prospective clients should know that I will work hard for them and will listen to them. I will work with them to make sure we achieve the best outcome in their case. I will not promise things that aren't realistic, and I will tell them when I disagree with their impressions or proposals. I will be honest in my interactions with them and will stand up for/beside/and behind the rights of all of my clients. It is my goal that my clients feel like they can relax and not worry about their legal troubles because I am on their case. I work for them.
Associations and Awards
Before attending law school, I became a member of Mensa, International in 2003. When I started in 2008 at Baylor Law School, I received the Presidential Full-Tuition Scholarship.
While at Baylor, I was a finalist and Top 10 Speaker in the 2009 Dawson and Sodd Moot Court Competition and a member AAJ Mock Trial Team in both 2010 and 2011. I became a member of the Order of Barrister and also received the Scott, Douglass & McConnico Evidence Award 2011.
In 2010 I joined the American Association for Justice. The following year I became a member of the McLennan County Bar Association and the Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers' Association. In 2012 I was elected as a Director of the Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyer's Association for the 2012-2013 year. Also in 2012 I became member of both the Texas Criminal Defense Bar and the College of the State Bar.
Articles by Shannon
Jury Duty – You Got Summoned, What Now?
Jury Duty – What To Expect You open the mailbox and there is it – the dreaded jury summons. It seems that no one looks forward to serving on a jury. Let’s be honest, most people don’t have time to spend days away from work. …
Annulment – Different than Divorce? Most people are familiar with the concept of divorce. In a divorce, a marriage is …
