Shawn McDonald

Shawn McDonald
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Criminal Defense
Trial Attorney
Overview And Experience
I am a former prosecutor and Board Certified Criminal Law Trial Attorney with over eighteen years (18) years of experience. I have handled thousands of criminal law cases throughout my career. I have been both an undergraduate professor and a law school professor teaching trial advocacy and criminal law. I have been a law enforcement instructor and subject matter expert on countless panels and symposiums for criminal law issues.
Professional Experience
Attorney at Law 3/2006 – Present
SMITH | MCDONALD | BOLIN, Sugar Land, TX
- Board Certified in Criminal Law by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Solo Practitioner: Criminal Litigation
- Over Ninety (90) First Chair Jury Trials
- Approved as Court Appointed Counsel in Death Penalty Cases (2015)
Clinical Instructor Innocence Project 6/2007 – 8/2009
THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW, Houston, TX
- Law Professor: Criminal Law, Trial Simulation and Innocence Project
- Managing Director and Founder of the Innocence Project Clinic
- Clinical Instructor: Criminal Law Clinic
Assistant District Attorney 11/2004 – 3/2006
FORT BEND COUNTY, Richmond, TX
- Trial Bureau: Felony and Juvenile Division
- Grand Jury
- Instructor: Gus George Law Enforcement Academy
Assistant District Attorney 7/2001 – 11/2004
HENDERSON COUNTY, Athens, TX
- Trial Bureau: Felony Division
- Narcotics Task Force Liaison and Chief Prosecutor
- Certificate of Appreciation: Prosecution of Crimes Against Children
- Prosecuted Over Fifty Felony Cases to a Verdict Sitting as a First Chair
Law Clerk 5/1999 – 8/1999
TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, Austin, TX
- Clerk for Presiding Judge Michael McCormick
- Research and Drafting of Appellate Opinions for the Presiding Judge
Education
Juris Doctorate 12/2000
ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, San Antonio, TX
- Criminal Law Focus
- Pro Bono Certificate of Service
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice 12/1997
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE, Charlotte, NC
- Collegiate Athlete and Coach
Presentations
Mock Trial Coach and Instructor – Corner Stone Academy 2018
Special Prosecutor Waller County – Sandra Bland/Trooper Brian Encinia 2016
Panel Member Qualified Immunity – Harmony School 2016
Criminal Debate Team Volunteer Instructor – Harmony School 2016
Search and Seizure Instructor, Richmond, TX Police Department 2012
Instructor on Courtroom Demeanor & Testimony for Law Enforcement 2010
KPFT – 90.1 FM Prison Radio: Innocence Project Outreach 2009
Panel Member, Academic Forum: Evolution of Evidence 2009
Presenter, Conley Elementary School: Dangers of Drug Use 2008 & 2009
Presenter, Barry Scheck: “The Innocence Project” 2008
Presenter, Johnnie Cochran’s Impact on Legal Clinic 2007
Presenter, Immigration Law and Public Policy Symposium 2008
Instructor, Gus George Law Enforcement Academy 2005 & 2006
Presenter, Fort Bend County Juvenile Offender Law Day 2005
Instructor, Henderson County Sheriff’s Dept. Search & Seizure Academy 2003
License and Memberships
Sugar Land Exchange Club. Present
Life Member Fort Bend County Fair. Present
Member Texas District and County Attorney’s Association. Present
Licensed by the Texas Supreme Court. Present
Member of the Fort Bend County Criminal Defense Bar Association. Present
Member of Brazoria County Criminal Defense Bar Association. Present
Community Service
Santa’s Exchange/Toys for Tots Event Volunteer 2017
Volunteered Residence for Fort Bend Child Advocates Home Tour 2016
Criminal Debate Team Volunteer Instructor – Harmony School 2016
YMCA Volunteer Volleyball Coach, Pearland, TX 2012 – 2015
Hosted The Drug Enforcement Agencies Maltz Challenge 2011
Star of Hope Cookie Night 2010 – 2012
Star of Hope Christmas Adoptions 2012
James M. Douglas Board of Advocates Mock Trial Judge 2008, 2009, 2014
HBA Legal Line Volunteer 2007
Ask a Lawyer Clinic 1999 & 2000
Pro Bono Certificate of Service; St. Mary’s University School of Law 2000
Certifications:
Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Significantly less than 1% in the attorneys in the State of Texas are Board Certified in Criminal Law.