About Erin
I hail from Lubbock, Texas, where I became a Red Raider at Texas Tech for both my undergraduate and law degrees. After becoming involved with the West Texas Innocence Project in Lubbock, I decided that I wanted to practice criminal defense and provide a voice for the citizen accused.
I moved to the Dallas area to become a public defender for Kaufman County after law school and handled nearly every type of offense there as First Assistant Public Defender. In 2010 I moved to Austin to come to work at the Law Office of Jamie Balagia, where I received specialized training in the defense of DWIs.
I am proud to have recently opened my own law practice where I will continue to serve Texans accused of all criminal offenses and the problems that stem from these kind of issues. I have handled thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases in my four years of practicing law and love nothing more than helping defend the rights of others.
Personally, I am all about friends and family, love the arts, reading, and traveling.
Practice areas
- Criminal defense: 75%
I immediately joined the Kaufman County Public Defender's office upon being licensed by the State Bar of Texas. I handled every type of criminal case excluding Capital Murder. In my solo practice I have expanded back into defending all types of state crime, from tickets and petty theft to violent offenses and other felonies. My goal has always been to attain the best result for my client.
12 years, 1,000 cases
- DUI and DWI: 25%
I focused on DWI defense while at the Law Office of Jamie Balagia. I filed Motions and argued them to the court and when necessary set cases for trial and if I didn't receive an offer that was too good to turn down I took the case to trial. I currently handle many DWIs in my solo practice, including the associated driver license problems that arise from DWI arrests.
12 years, 500 cases
Languages spoken
Spanish, English
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 2007 | 07/18/2019 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Best Practice Award | Texas Association of Counties | 2008 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Law Office of Erin Shinn, P.L.L.C. | 2011 - Present |
| Criminal Defense Trial Attorney | Law Office of Jamie Balagia | 2010 - 2011 |
| First Assistant Public Defender | Kaufman County Public Defender's Office | 2007 - 2010 |
| Clerk | West Texas Innocence Project | 2006 - 2007 |
| Clerk | Craig, Terrill, Hale & Grantham, L.L.P. | 2006 - 2007 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Travis County Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
| Austin Young Lawyers Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
| National College of DUI Defense | Member | 2010 - Present |
| Williamson County Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
| Young Women's Alliance | Member | 2010 - Present |
| Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association | Member | 2008 - Present |
|---|---|---|
| Kaufman County Bar Association | Member | 2007 - 2010 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nside Magazine | Avoid an Arrest for Public Intoxicaton | 2010 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Tech University School of Law | Jurisprudence | 2007 |
| Texas Tech University | B.G.S. | 2004 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Defense Attorney Round Table | Criminal Defense in the Private Sector | 2012 |
Above and beyond the call of duty.
Posted by Stacy
Thu Jan 31 2019
Very pleased
Posted by Marshall
Mon Jul 09 2018
Attorney endorsements
(22)Michelle Mays, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 22, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Erin is a colleague for whom I have great respect and adoration. I see her fighting for her client’s rights daily in court. Anyone she represents is in good hands.
Dave Howard, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 17, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Shinn is professional and knowledgeable in all facets of criminal law. We have worked together on cases and her abilities are impressive.
Merwan Bhatti, Business Attorney on Feb 5, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Travis Newton, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 3, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Emma Shinn, Military law Attorney on Mar 23, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Erin Shinn is a determined, zealous, and super-smart advocate for her clients. Ms. Shinn and I attended law school together, worked together years ago at the Innocence Project of Texas fighting for long-lost justice, and we have continued to maintain contact over the years. Despite our same last name, we're not related; however, I'd be proud to call her family if she was. She is the kind of lawyer you want on your side.
Roberto Ambrosino, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 31, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Irene Vaisman, Immigration Attorney on Aug 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Shinn is knowledgeable and experienced. I endorse this lawyer.
M. Miller, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jul 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
V. Iyer, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
William Towe, DUI and DWI Attorney on May 26, 2013
Relationship: Other
Erin is well-respected among judges, attorneys and clients alike, and her advise is spot-on. I happily endorse Erin.
James Garrett, Criminal defense Attorney on May 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Her insightful contributions to Avvo show her thorough knowledge of criminal and DUI law.
Peggy Raddatz, Divorce and separation Attorney on May 1, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michelle Cheney, Family Attorney on Mar 11, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Erin because she is a zealous and knowledgeable attorney. She works hard in her cases to get the best outcome.
Charles Franklin, Foreclosure Attorney on Jan 13, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend this attorney. Very intelligent and very thorough when analyzing legal issues! Compassionate with clients and aggressive with legal issues! 5 STARS!!
Herbert Ellis, Car accident Attorney on Dec 8, 2012
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Christian Lassen, Life insurance Attorney on Oct 23, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
Brian Corrigan, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 10, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Noaman Azhar, Immigration Attorney on Oct 22, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Erin is one the brightest and most dedicated lawyers in her field. She gives personal attention to each of her cases and sincerely cares about her clients. She's a good person and a great attorney to have on your side.
Scott Gray, Personal injury Attorney on Mar 11, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Erin is a smart and talented advocate for her clients. She has the rare ability to analyze a case as well as zealously defend her clients in an adversarial proceeding. You can't go wrong with Erin.
John Yetter, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 12, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I thoroughly endorse Ms. Shinn. Over the years I have been impressed with the depth of her legal knowledge and her ability to relate it to individuals feeling the stress of legal trouble. Anyone needing a knowledgeable, skilled attorney could do no better.
Cost
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