Experience & Background

Born and raised in the District of Columbia, Shawn has devoted his entire legal career to the practice of criminal defense. During law school, Shawn completed a  clerkship with the trial division of the highly respected Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where he worked on a range of cases that included allegations of sexual assault, drug crimes, and gun charges. He also clerked with the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council and the Georgia Capital Defender.

Shawn received his juris doctor from Emory University School of Law, and his bachelor’s degree from The George Washington University, where he graduated with honors. After graduating, he worked in the Murder Division at the Clark County Public Defender’s Office in Las Vegas, Nevada. His reputation as a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney with an impressive record for success provides him with a distinct advantage when defending clients in the DC court system. He commands mutual respect from both prosecutors and judges, and is highly regarded by colleagues in the realm of criminal defense.

He handles a variety of cases in both the D.C. Superior and Federal District Courts, where he has been practicing for over 10 years. These include DUI offenses, ranging from misdemeanor to felony charges, and drug possession charges, both for personal use and for those accused of possession with the intent to distribute or sell certain drugs. He has extensive experience in defending clients charged with marijuana possession in DC, including college students and minors who are found in possession of drugs or alcohol. Among the many criminal offenses he has successfully litigated are charges of assault, from simple assault to aggravated assault; domestic violence; weapons violations; theft-related charges, including burglary and robbery; and prostitution and solicitation. Shawn is also a D.C. Bar Landlord Tenant Pro Bono attorney. In his spare time, Shawn enjoys drumming and spicy food, and is a vintage necktie enthusiast. He lives in Northeast DC with his wife and hound dog.