Family Law

• Child Abuse
  Allegations of child abuse are serious criminal charges that can face parents, as well as childcare providers like babysitters, daycare workers, teachers and nannies. A conviction for these crimes can have devastating repercussions, leading to prison time, financial penalties and the loss of parental rights.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  Police officers and federal agents conducting criminal investigations usually follow a standard procedure. This often involves interviewing or interrogating the investigation’s target (the person or people under investigation). Government investigators have many tools at their disposal—a team of agents, forensic investigators, immediate access to nationwide data, and lengthy training. The targets are usually unprepared and underinformed about the allegation. They don’t know the law, only know some of the facts, and often say things that seem helpful but are actually harmful. Moreover, Texas and federal courts have consistently upheld an officer’s ability to LIE during an interview. It is therefore absolutely imperative that a target appear for an interview with a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer.
• DUI/DWI
  FELONY DWI —Two consecutive NOT GUILTY jury verdicts for a client arrested for his 7th and 8th Driving While Intoxicated charge.  Client was on parole after receiving a 60-year sentence on DWI number six. First Jury Trial: Officer stated he was driving without headlights and weaving all over the road. Officer alleged client was so intoxicated that he was staggering and could not even perform the sobriety tests. The jury found the client NOT GUILTY after only deliberating for 30 minutes. Second Jury Trial: Officer did not give the client a chance (because of his prior history) and greatly embellished the signs of intoxication, describing client as “falling down drunk.” The jury agreed that the station video painted a much different picture of the defendant and found him NOT GUILTY.
• Wrongful Death
  A wrongful death occurs when someone dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another person or entity. When a loved one dies as a result of the wrongful conduct of another party, the surviving family is left reeling in the wake of their loss. And while the legal team at The Shellist Law Firm can never truly make that family whole again after a wrongful death, our Firm can ensure that surviving loved ones do not have to battle insurance companies on their own.
• Sex Crimes
  The law firm of Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP in Houston, Texas, has experienced attorneys with the skills necessary to defend you against serious sex crimes’ accusations. As three former prosecutors for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the firm’s attorneys have unique insights into how your case will be handled. Don’t try to fix this problem on your own, contact the firm today to schedule a free confidential consultation.
• Fraud
  Health care is a highly regulated field. Entities involved in the health industry are required to comply with numerous laws, rules, and regulations as a condition of participation and operation. The lawyers of Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP have years of experience helping clients navigate the complex field of regulations involving healthcare compliance. Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP has experience dealing with healthcare fraud and abuse, provider reimbursement issues, certification, licensing, and health information security and privacy. Their attorneys counsel clients from every sector of the health care industry. Steve, Peyton, and Sean help their clients create custom compliance programs, training, and policies to address their specific compliance needs. Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP also performs compliance program reviews to help their clients identify and address gaps in compliance.
• Robbery
  Some theft, and most burglary and robbery, cases involve a much longer and more in-depth criminal investigation before charges are even filed. As a part of these investigations, police and law enforcement investigators often reach out to a potential suspect in an attempt to interview them—and sometimes trick them—into making admissions or confessing. Police officers are trained to use certain techniques to get someone to make an incriminating statement. Moreover, courts have consistently allowed police officers to LIE in order to secure a confession. They are counting on interviewing someone before they have had a chance to consult with an attorney.
• Burglary
  Entering a building, business, vehicle, or residence without the owner’s consent constitutes felony burglary if done with the intent to commit theft or certain other crimes. Law enforcement and prosecutors treat these cases much more seriously.
• White Collar Crimes
  By using a legal team approach, the attorneys at Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP represent people against allegations of fraud and other white collar crimes. From their offices in Houston, Texas, three former Harris County prosecutors work together to develop a strategic defense against fraud allegations in state and federal courts.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  A person who has successfully completed a deferred adjudication on a misdemeanor or a felony may not be eligible for an expunction; however, there is still a remedy available to restrict the disclosure of those records to anyone outside of law enforcement. If you have successfully completed a deferred adjudication, contact the legal team of lawyers at Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP to pursue your rights to a Petition for Non-Disclosure.
• Embezzlement
• Drug Crimes
  With nearly 60 years of combined experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys, the attorneys at Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP understand how drug charges are prosecuted in Texas and by the state and federal government. Drug cases are often quite complex—invoking constitutional search and seizure issues, high-level scientific analysis, wire interceptions, and questionable testimonial evidence from eyewitnesses and undercover law enforcement.
• Assault
  An assault can happen anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. Assault charges can be filed in domestic disputes, bar fights, fights between acquaintances, and situations where you weren’t even the first aggressor. The police rarely have personal knowledge of what happened—they are usually called out after the fight is over. Their decision on arrests and charges is influenced heavily by witness statements and physical evidence. These can be deceptive, flat wrong, or ignore defensive issues that would have justified otherwise criminal conduct. As a result, sometimes people get charged with assault who are not responsible and should never have been charged.
• Murder
  Few cases are taken more seriously than murder. The government will bring its full resources to bear on everyone connected to the crime. Police officers and prosecutors have vast resources to investigate these cases and “bring the perpetrators to justice.” Prosecutors almost always seek long prison sentences when someone dies. If the victim is a child, police officer, elderly, or disabled person, they will prosecute the crime with even more vigor.
• Juvenile Crimes
  While a juvenile offense may resemble an adult offense (because the crime’s elements are the same), the juvenile justice system is extremely different. The terminology, procedure, and available outcomes are completely unlike the adult criminal system. To navigate the juvenile justice system successfully, it is important to hire a lawyer with extensive juvenile law experience to represent your child. The partners at Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP are former Harris County Assistant District Attorneys with decades of experience prosecuting and defending juveniles charged with serious crimes. Few lawyers have the skill, experience, and relationships necessary to represent your child in juvenile crime matters like we do.
• Identity Theft
• Homicide
  If you are under investigation or charged with any form of homicide, do not talk to anyone about your case and contact Shellist Peebles McAlister LLP for a free consultation and immediate assistance.
• Shoplifting
  Theft basically means taking someone else’s property without their consent and with the intent to deprive them of the property. The most common theft involves shoplifting. Even a simple shoplifting charge is serious because a conviction for any level of theft (a crime of dishonesty, or “moral turpitude”) can have a long-lasting impact on a person’s life and livelihood. In addition, the punishment range for theft increases as the value of the theft increases. Regardless of the level of the charge, any theft related allegation is a serious matter and must be defended accordingly. Fortunately our highly experienced criminal defense lawyers have handled all types of theft related offenses and can help you no matter what level offense you are accused of.
• Restraining Order
• Forgery
• Money Laundering
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter
  But homicide cases (capital murder, murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide) are usually not as straightforward as the police think. They often involve unreliable witnesses and questionable police and forensic procedures. Even when there’s little doubt about who committed the crime and how, the conduct might actually justified (self-defense, defending someone else, defending against certain crimes, etc.).
• Internet Crimes
  An increasingly common crime prosecuted against people in Texas is the crime of Internet solicitation of a minor. This type of Internet crime is the focus of substantial media coverage and prosecutorial action. The mere allegation of Internet solicitation has ruined the lives of many innocent people. It is important that you hire a team of legal professionals to stand up and fight for you.
• Prostitution

Business and Corporate Law

• Corporate Law

Employment Law

• Employment Litigation
  This open and honest communication often reveals something else: our clients have fallen victim to misfortune in multiple areas. Sometimes the problems are related, such as a driver’s license suspension related to a DWI arrest. Other times they are not, such as a criminal case along with an unrelated car accident, employment dispute, or corporate compliance problems. We will work with the client to put measures in place to address them all, whether through our firm or our wide network of resources. Our shared goal is to make the client’s life better in all possible ways.

Property Law

• Premises Liability
  Property owners should be held accountable when their negligence causes an injury to a visitor or tenant. The law requires property owners to keep their land and buildings safe. Store owners, property management companies, businesses, and apartment complexes have a legal duty to make reasonable efforts to keep their premises safe for use by visitors and tenants. When they fail to adequately warn people of dangerous conditions, or when they fail to take reasonable action to correct a safety risk, they may be held liable for damages incurred.
• Property Damage
  While accidents may be a fact of life, damages can be cause for litigation. Possible damages include medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of income and earning potential and, possibly, punitive damages. But proving a physical, emotional, or cognitive injury can be a difficult process. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of another party’s negligence, you need an aggressive, skilled trial attorney to ensure that you are made whole.

Health Law

• Personal Injury
  Meet Steven Shellist, a practicing trial attorney and legal analyst for ABC-13. During law school, Steven Shellist worked for a personal injury law firm where more
• Auto Accidents