Dawn Zell Wright

Dawn moved to Texas with her family when she was 13 years old. She received her undergraduate degree from Concordia University in Austin, Texas and received her Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. In law school, Dawn volunteered in the civil justice clinic, had an internship in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Felony DWI Division and was a founding member of The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice.

Dawn has been licensed to practice law in Texas since 2001, and is also admitted to practice law in the US Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit. She is a member of the Texas State Bar and is a member of its Crime Victims committee. She is a member of the American Bar Association and a member of its Solo, Small and General Practice Criminal Law and Juvenile Law committees. Dawn is a member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA), Fort Bend Criminal Defense Attorneys Association (FBCDAA), Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA), and Fort Bend Bar Association. In December 2013, the FBCCDAA honored Dawn with the Unsung Hero Award for her relentless work ethic, dedication, effectiveness in working with the Fort Bend County Courts to ensure justice and fairness to those negatively impacted by the DPS lab tech scandal.

Why does Dawn practice criminal defense?  “It’s about justice and fairness,” said Wright. “Seeking justice requires being tough on crime, but that toughness must be met with fairness. Currently, the District Attorney’s Office has sat by while other counties have been proactive in ensuring accused citizens’ rights. For example, when John Healey was notified by The Texas Department of Public Safety that one of its analysts falsified thousands of reports, calling into question hundreds of Fort Bend County convictions, he did nothing while the District Attorneys in our adjoining counties took great measures to right the wrong those harmed by the falsified reports suffered, including long prison sentences where no credible evidence existed. Hiding evidence, selective prosecution and a ‘conviction at any cost’ mentality is what led to the wrongful conviction and 25 years of incarceration Michael Morton endured in Williamson County. If we don't take immediate action, our county risks repeating the injustice bestowed upon Mr. Morton.”

Dawn and her husband Greg, an executive with a Houston based distribution company, are residents of Fort Bend County and proud parents to Rebekah and Nicholas. Dawn is the principal of Zell Wright Law Offices, PLLC in Richmond, Texas practicing criminal law, including felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, and post-conviction law. In addition, Dawn has extensive HR and labor/employment experience, and is well-versed in conducting high level ethics and compliance investigations.