“My clients trust me because they know I will take all steps necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. I welcome a challenge, and nothing motivates me more than when one of my clients has been treated unfairly.”
Biography
John D. Sheppard is a trial and Houston personal injury lawyer who prides himself on working harder than the competition, aggressive representation, strategic thinking, and successful results. John particularly enjoys trying cases to juries, and transforming complex legal and factual issues into simple and persuasive terms. John’s clients trust him because they know he will take all steps necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. John welcomes a challenge, and nothing motivates John more than when one of his clients has been treated unfairly.
After growing up near Houston, Texas, John attended Rhodes College in Tennessee and graduated from Emory University in Georgia.
John then attended and graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.
John began his career at a major international law firm. He then joined a litigation boutique handling both plaintiff and defense cases, and was named a partner. In 2015 after ten years of practice, John co-founded Morrow & Sheppard LLP with Nick Morrow, his longtime friend and classmate at UT law. Together they have tried and resolved many cases for millions of dollars on behalf of injured clients, including trials lasting several weeks against powerful and well-funded companies and their lawyers. Both John and Nick have a passion for the law and for representing ordinary people and small businesses who need help.
When a case cannot be resolved by agreement, John personally handles all aspects of trials, including but not limited to jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations of witnesses and experts, evidentiary matters, closing arguments, motions, and arguments. John also handles appeals, and has argued cases to state appellate courts, federal appellate courts, and is admitted to the United States Supreme Court.
Pro Bono
John has proudly handled cases for clients who could not afford to pay fees on a pro bono basis since his first year as a lawyer, particularly when the case involves an important community matter. For example, John represented a Texas Army veteran on a pro bono basis to challenge his unconstitutional exclusion from the Texas Hazlewood Act, which provides educational benefits to some but not all Texas veterans. To read about this case as it was covered in the Houston Chronicle, click here.
Organizations & Honors
Honors / Awards / Recognitions
- Texas Super Lawyers, 2018-2019
- Recognized as a “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
- Houstonia Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2015
- In 2013, elected by the Texas Bar Foundation as a Life Fellow, a foundation of which only the top 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys are invited to join.
Education
University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors)
Emory University (B.A., Political Science)
Rhodes College, Memphis, Tennessee
Admitted to Practice
John is licensed to appear in the following Courts:
- All Texas state courts
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Cases Handled
Please click here for examples of cases the lawyers at Morrow & Sheppard have handled.
Practice Areas
Our Team
What Our Clients Are Saying
