Bio
Prior to joining Scott H. Palmer, P.C., Michelle worked as an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office in both Los Angeles County and Maricopa County for approximately twelve years. Throughout her career, she has worked with both juveniles and adults.
While Michelle spent much of her career as a trial attorney defending cases ranging from misdemeanor DUIs and robberies to felony sex crimes and kidnappings, she eventually focused her efforts on both pre and post-conviction work involving pre-trial resolution of cases, and post-conviction follow through. Throughout her career, Michelle collaborated with school facilitators, families, and mental health counselors to assist clients in their criminal matters and subsequent release from confinement.
While working in Phoenix, Arizona, Michelle Supervised the Specialty Courts Unit of the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office where she oversaw the Juveniles in Adult Court, Criminal Mental Health, and Problem Solving Court Units. In her role as Supervisor, Michelle worked with the Adult Probation Office, the Administrative Office of the Courts, and various Judicial Officers on court structure, policy, and innovative ideas related to the County’s problem solving and therapeutic courts such as Drug Court, Veteran’s Court, DUI Court, Domestic Violence Court, Mental Health Court, Juvenile Transfer Offender Program, and Youthful Sex Offenders.
Working in this environment afforded Michelle the opportunity to zealously advocate for her clients while witnessing the real-life impacts of Probation terms, thus developing a respect and understanding for her clients’ entire path through the criminal justice system.
Michelle is licensed to practice law in California, Arizona, and Texas. She has spent her entire career as a criminal defense attorney. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family, reading, and volunteering with various organizations throughout the Dallas area.
Credentials
Past Employement
- Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office, Supervisor
- Los Angeles County, CA and Maricopa County, AZ, Public Defenders Office
Licenses
- California Bar, 2004
- Arizona Bar, 2005
- Texas Bar, 2017