Toby Shook

Toby Shook is known as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Texas having tried over 300 jury trials. After an unprecedented career with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where he earned a reputation as being one of the nation’s top prosecutors, Mr. Shook entered private practice to represent citizens accused of all criminal wrongdoing by both State and Federal authorities.

Throughout his career, Mr. Shook has been recognized by his peers as being one of the top criminal lawyers in the nation. He was selected by D Magazine as one of Dallas Top Criminal Defense Attorneys 2007 through 2022.

The Texas District and County Attorneys’ Association awarded Mr. Shook its inaugural Lone Star Award recognizing him as the best prosecutor in the State of Texas in 2002. He was also awarded the Go-To Prosecutor by Texas Lawyer Magazine in 2002.

In the Fall of 2007, Mr. Shook was voted as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Law Dragon Magazine. Mr. Shook was selected as a Super Lawyer by his peers in Texas Monthly for 2003 through 2022.

Mr. Shook’s vast trial experience encompasses every type of crime in the penal code – DWI, theft, assault, murder, sex crimes, drug offenses, and organized crime. Mr. Shook earned a reputation as being an aggressive trial lawyer known for his relentless preparation, skillful cross-examination and passionate argument. He has lectured nationwide on cross-examination, closing argument, case preparation, jury selection, self-defense, and capital murder. Mr. Shook’s broad experience gives his clients a tremendous advantage during police investigations, grand jury investigations, plea negotiations, and trial.

With over twenty years experience with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Mr. Shook rose to the rank of Chief of the Felony Trial Division and tried some of the most high-profile cases in Dallas County history, including the Texas Seven prison escapeesserial killer Charles Albright, the AMC Grand killer, and was assigned the Darlie Routierprosecution.

In 2013, Toby Shook and attorney Bill Wirskye were appointed special prosecutors for the Kaufman Texas Prosecutor Murders, which received national attention. Their prosecution resulted in the conviction and death sentence of Eric Williams.

Over the years, Mr. Shook has been featured on many national network shows including: NBC’s Dateline, Court TV, A&E’s American Justice, Cold Case Files, 48 Hours, HBO’s Autopsy, Current Affair, and Texas Lawyer

• J.D. Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, Texas
Law Review: Texas Tech Law Review

• B. A., Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Major: History

• Best Criminal Defense Lawyer, “D” Magazine, 2007 – 2022

• Super Lawyers, 2003 – 2022

• NTL Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2012

• One of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Law Dragon Magazine, 2007

• Lone Star Award Winner, TDCAA, 2002

• “Go-To Prosecutor” Texas Lawyer, 2002

• Home Run Hitters Award, NDAA, 2003, 2015

• Dallas Bar Association

• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

• National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Notable Cases