Sarah Durham – Abilene Criminal Defense Attorney

– Associate | Criminal Law - Criminal Appeal –

As a former high school English teacher with a master’s degree in Education, Sarah Durham is passionate about the research and writing intrinsic to appellate and post-conviction writ work.

She frequently uses her skills, including attention to detail and presenting the complex as comprehensible, when advocating for her clients.

PASSIONATE ADVOCACY THROUGH RESEARCH AND WRITING

Sarah’s practice focuses on appellate advocacy.

On a given week, she may write a brief to one of the fourteen intermediate courts of appeals throughout Texas or submit a petition for discretionary review to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Sarah also focuses on and can often be found working on post-conviction writs of habeas corpus, including 11.07; new evidence; and other extraordinary writs for post-conviction relief.

Review some of the results that Sarah has attained for her clients.

Federal Courts of Admittance

• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Texas Northern District Court

Areas of Specialization

• Federal Criminal Cases
• Texas Criminal Cases
• Direct Appeals
• 11.07 Writ of Habeas Corpus (Texas state and Federal)
• Non-Disclosures
• Expunctions
• Sealing Records
• Release from Sex Offender Registration Requirements
• Occupational Driver’s License
• Early Release from Probation

TEXAS ROOTS

Sarah grew up in Decatur, Texas, a quintessential small Texas town replete with a vibrant downtown square; community-attended Friday night football; and one of the prettiest courthouses in the State.

Her journey to teaching was not a surprise as she mimicked the lives of service shown by her parents. Her Dad was a State Trooper, and her mom worked for the County Attorney.

Sarah’s journey from teacher to criminal defense attorney may have proved somewhat more surprising, but the spirit of service is still strong.

As a criminal defense attorney, Sarah enjoys helping others when life’s legal issues require both expertise and compassion.

Beyond, or perhaps before, serving as an attorney, Sarah gladly serves as a wife to Josh and mom to Taylor, Ella, and Ronan. Taylor is grown and thriving in Dallas, but still calls for cooking and overall life advice. Ella and Ronan are school-aged and involved in school and church activities. Her family enjoys hiking, camping, and biking.

Sarah and her family recently moved back to Texas from Anchorage, Alaska, where outdoor activities abound. They now call Abilene, Texas home.

EXPERIENCE AND ADVOCACY THAT MATTERS

Sarah graduated from the University of North Texas and the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.

Throughout law school, Sarah focused primarily on appellate advocacy, enjoying internships and clerkships at federal and state courts of appeal.

Sarah also served for two years as one of the founding officers of UNT’s Christian Legal Society.

In February 2023, Sarah was named as an Advisory Member of the Big Country Reentry Coalition.

University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law
• Doctor of Jurisprudence
• Dean’s List
• Teaching Fellow
• Student Volunteer: Legal Hospice; Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program; Dallas ISD
• Focused Education: Appellate Law; Civil Settlements; Mediation; Labor and Employment Law

Career Highlights
High School English Teacher
• Decatur High School
• Hallsville High School

Judicial Intern
• Northern District of Texas, Federal Magistrate Judge Irma Ramirez, Dallas, TX

Judicial Intern
• Second District Court of Appeals, Chief Justice Terrie Livingston (ret.), Fort Worth, TX

Legal Intern
• Department of Labor, Solicitor’s Office, Dallas, TX

Law Clerk
• Fifth District Court of Appeals, Dallas, TX

Awards and Honors
• The Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn Inn of Court, Pupil
• Teaching Fellow
• Dean’s List
• Student Volunteer: Legal Hospice; Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program; Dallas ISD

Memberships
Christian Legal Society: Inaugural Class
State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College Member 2021

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION – CLE – STATE BAR OF TEXAS

2022

• Advanced Criminal Law
• Annual Federal Criminal Practice Seminar
• Top 10 Appellate Advocacy Moments in Film
• The Red, Writ, and Blue: Post Conviction Writs
• Bail Reform – Part 1
• 2022 Conference on Criminal Appeals
• Social Media Evidence

2021

• • Mining the Golden Nuggets of Federal Practice
  • 2021 Conference Criminal Appeals
  • An Evening with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
  • Post-Conviction and Parole
  • ESupplement to 2020 Conference on Criminal Appeals
  • 2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal appealsPost-Conviction and Parole
  • Justice James A. Baker Guide to Ethics and Professionalism
  • Understanding Expunctions and Disclosures
  • Supplement to 2020 Conference on Criminal Appeals