Grace E. Shin

My interest in appeals began all the way in law school, where I was able to take advantage of a strong legal writing program and compete in moot court competitions, which are basically mock appeals involving brief writing and oral arguments. I remember our first writing assignment, and my final product was terrible! But once it clicked for me, I began to really enjoy the art of legal writing.

My first job after graduating from law school was in the Appellate Division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. My writing skills were refined under the guidance of a senior lawyer whom I still regard as one of the best writers and mentors I’ve known in my career. I left the office after about two years to try civil litigation and returned three years later.

My second stint in the Appellate Division of the District Attorney’s Office lasted almost two decades. During that time, I filed over 200 briefs on appeal, argued in both the Court of Appeals in Dallas and the Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin, and responded to countless post-conviction applications for writ of habeas corpus in the trial courts.

I now work with Niles Illich, who comes from a career on the defense side. We pick each other’s brains and act as sounding boards for each other to provide the best representation we can for our clients.