Scott DeShazo
Scott DeShazo is an experienced trial lawyer with a proven record of success for his clients. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Western, Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Prior to joining Evans / DeShazo / Reilley, Scott founded DeShazo & Nesbitt, where he practiced personal injury law from 2007 until 2024. Scott was a partner in the Austin firm Herman, Howry & Breen LLP. He also gained valuable experience in the Texas Attorney General’s office.
Scott is Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law. Board certification is a distinction which applies only to lawyers who have extensive courtroom experience and have demonstrated the requisite experience and knowledge in the substantive area of the law. Of the more than 70,000 lawyers licensed to practice law in Texas, only 10% of have earned the distinction of board certification.
In 2013, Scott was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). ABOTA is a national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the civil jury trial as guaranteed by the 7th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Scott has represented clients and tried lawsuits in both State and Federal Court and has successfully prosecuted and defended cases at the appellate level. He has argued before both the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin as well as the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Scott has filed and won appeals in several State of Texas courts of appeal. Scott and his wife, Shawna, have three boys.
EDUCATION
- Doctor of Jurisprudence, Texas Tech University School of Law
- Master of Theological Studies, Vanderbilt University
- Bachelor of Arts, Baylor University
PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Rising Star, Texas Monthly magazine
- Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Law
- American Board of Trial Advocates
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- State Bar of Texas
- Austin Bar Association
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- Baylor University Alumni Association, Board of Directors
- Scott authored and presented “Litigating Wage Claims in Texas” at a seminar in Austin entitled Payroll Management in Texas.
- He authored and presented “The Prospect of Genetic Discrimination” to the American Association of Law Librarians in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Scott presented “Interpreting the Family Medical Leave Act” to human resources professionals and attorneys in Austin.
- He frequently speaks at Continuing Legal Education seminars where he presented on the “Uncooperative Insured” at the Car Crash Seminar and on “Voir Dire – Managing the Unpredictable Jury” at the Ultimate Trial Notebook Seminar.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Scott averaged 10 points off the bench as a shooting guard for Southwestern Assemblies of God College in 1990.