THE SHELLIST LAW FIRM - Key Persons
Cadie joined the Shellist Law Firm in November 2022 and has over nine years of experience working in personal injury firms. She became an American Bar Association-certified Paralegal in May 2017. She also earned a certification in Advanced Personal Injury Law from the University of Houston in October 2017. Cadie supports Steve Shellist and Marisa Leon on all pre-litigation and litigation personal injury cases.
Cadie, a lifelong Houstonian, is a fan of reading, true crime podcasts, and her dog, Bowie. She enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking, and exploring new places.
Marisa Leon was born and raised in Texas City, Texas. Marisa graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a degree in Healthcare Administration and earned her law degree from South Texas College of Law.
Marisa is a Spanish speaking attorney who practiced family law and insurance defense prior to becoming an entrepreneur. She co-founded a nationwide court reporting firm as the Executive Vice President and assisted in the company's growth for the next several years. Marisa returned to the practice of law where her experience as an attorney and entrepreneur have been invaluable to her in understanding the needs of her clients and helping clients achieve their desired outcome.
Marisa always had a special interest in personal injury which led her to The Shellist Law Firm where she continues to assist clients with their personal injury needs. At the Shellist Law Firm, Marisa uses her prior experiences in healthcare and insurance defense to give the firm's clients a tactical advantage. Marisa considers it a privilege to help clients get the justice they deserve. No matter what type of case a client was involved in, Marisa is there for the firm's clients when they need her most.
Marisa is a Past President and current Board of Director for the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston. She has been a Board of Director since 2010 and was awarded the President's Award twice in recognition of her exemplary service and dedication to the Hispanic Bar Association of Houston.
Marisa has two children, Daniel and Alyssa, both away at college. In her free time, Marisa enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Sean T. McAlister is a native Houstonian. He is a Class of 1996 graduate from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas with a double major in Finance and Accounting. While at Texas A&M University he held various leadership positions in campus organizations and honed his writing skills as an opinion columnist for the University's Student Newspaper, The Battalion. After graduating from Texas A&M, Mr. McAlister attended law school at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas and received his Juris Doctorate in 2000. While at SMU, he volunteered his time at the public defenders office in Dallas County. After graduating from Law School in 2000, he accepted a position with the Harris County District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney (ADA).
Mr. McAlister spent six years at the Harris County District Attorney's Office honing his skills as an advocate and trial lawyer. During his tenure as an ADA, Mr. McAlister was a Chief Prosecutor on both the County Court and District Court level. In District Court, Mr. McAlister was responsible for the handling of the most serious of felony cases including Aggravated Robberies, Aggravated Sexual Assaults and Murders. Mr. McAlister also spent a significant amount of time in the Juvenile Division assigned to each of the three Juvenile District Courts in Harris County. He has handled all aspects of Juvenile cases from stipulations to certification hearings and trials.
Mr. McAlister has tried over 60 first chair trials, ranging from 1st degree Felonies to Class C Misdemeanors. While at the District Attorney's office he also handled three second chair Capital Murder trials. As a prosecutor he had an outstanding success rate at trial, with only two not guilty verdicts in District Court. Mr. McAlister is also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, an honorary society of lawyers who are among the best trained attorneys in Texas.
Education
Southern Methodist University School of Law, Dallas, Texas, 2000
Juris Doctorate
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, 1996