Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Wilson.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I have always been driven to help and serve others in a real and direct way. I did a lot of volunteer and public service work through college trying to find the right fit for me and came to the idea of practicing law through volunteer work with CASA representing the best interests of children in the foster care system. I received a full ride scholarship to the University of Denver – Sturm College of Law based on my history of public service work and intention to practice public service as a lawyer. I came to criminal law early in law school and began working as an intern at the Weld County DA’s Office after my second year. I got on the criminal justice train in 2009 and have never jumped off and had first chaired elevan jury trials before graduating law school.
I have served my community as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I have a wide breath of experience and have always practiced with intention and integrity. I feel it is time to bring my experience and dedication to the bench.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest challenge I have found in the practice of criminal law is learning to manage the emotional burden. The work of a prosecutor can be challenging because you are bestowed with a lot of power to greatly impact the lives of others, in either a positive or negative way. Prosecutors also shoulder the burden of victims and their families who are struggling to heal from trauma. As a defense attorney you carry the weight of your clients’ lives, freedom, and futures on your shoulders. Some burdens weigh heavier than others, but it can all add up if you do not stay aware and learn to properly manage the load.
As you know, we’re big fans of Harris County Public Defender’s Office. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I have worked for the Harris County Public Defender’s Office for four years now. It is an incredible office full of dedicated and hard working people. While there is a great deal of autonomy for lawyers to handle their caseloads, you have teammates and resources at the ready to help you get a just result if and when you need the support.
For the past two years I have had the honor of serving the office as a Senior Litigator in the Mental Health Division – representing clients who suffer from mental illness or intellectual disability facing criminal charges.
Prior to joining the Mental Health Division I worked as an Assistant Chief in the Bail Division, working 5-6 days a week at the Joint Processing Center of the Harris County Jail. I still work extra bail shifts over weekends and on holidays. This work has been vital to my understanding of what individuals go through following arrest, being housed and classified at the jail, and the impact of bond and bond conditions for the accused.
Although I had practiced criminal law for more than 10 years before joining the Public Defender’s Office, the past four years have offered me so many opportunities to grow, experience, and understand other facets of our criminal justice system, better preparing me to serve as a judge in Harris County.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have completed more than 70 criminal jury trials, first-chairing or solo-trying 68 of those trials, and was the youngest attorney on the list of attorneys approved to represent clients facing Capital Murder charges before joining the Public Defender’s Office. This breadth and depth of experience is crucial for judges presiding over a Criminal District Court bench. The stakes are far too high to victims, the accused, and the public to settle for anything less.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katiewilsonforjudge.com
- Instagram: katiewilsonforjudge
- Facebook: Katie Wilson for 183rd District Court
