Attorney Profiles

Lisa Benge

Texas A&M University B.A. Political Science 1988
Texas Tech University School of Law J.D.  1991
State Bar License  1991

Ms. Benge grew up in Jersey Village and lived there until attending college at Texas A&M University.  After 4 years in college, she then attended Texas Tech School of Law.  Ms. Benge is currently active in her church, The Woodlands United Methodist Church and is on the Foundation Board.  She actively supports several organizations including the Star of Hope Mission, Goodwill, and the Pregnancy Assistance Center. 

Important Career Highlights:  Ms. Benge only lost one trial in the five years she was with the Montgomery County District Attorney.  During the time she was a prosecutor, she handled a person charged with capital murder that escaped from the Montgomery County Jail and he is now serving a life sentence in prison.  Also, two other defendants that were charged with murder received life sentences for their  role in killing two young women and setting their bodies on fire.

Recently, as a defense attorney she obtained a five year sentence for a client charged with Murder.  She received not guilty verdicts  on an Aggravated Robbery and also on a DWI.  On another murder, she obtained a 15 year sentence.  She has also obtained numerous dismissals on a variety of cases.  (see dismissal list) 

Member State Bar of Texas, Vice-President of the Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, Harris County Criminal Lawyer's Association, The Woodlands Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Texas A&M Century Club Member, The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

Ms. Benge has handled several high-profile cases including the following:

State v. LaFleur/State v. Labonte - These co-defendants were convicted of murdering two young women in Conroe, Texas.  Ms. Benge prosecuted them and they were convicted of Capital Murder.

State v. Zarychta -  This was a case involving a man charged with killing a retired homeowner in the Magnolia area.  The defendant, James Zarychta, escaped from the jail and committed numerous new offenses prior to being caught.  Ms. Benge was the prosecutor who handled his re-trial in College Station, Texas and he was convicted of Capital Murder. 

Judy Shields

Northwestern University B.A. 1992
University of Houston School of Law J.D. 1995  Cum Laude
State bar licensed in Nov 1995

Ms. Shields is active in the community.  She lives in Houston and is President of the Hilshire Village Civic Club.  She actively supports several organizations including the Houston SPCA, Goodwill, Terrance United Methodist Church, and the Citizens for Animal Protection.

Ms. Shields grew up in the Dallas area and attended Plano East Senior High School.  She then went to Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois where she received a communications studies degree.  Ms. Shields pursued her interest in the law by attending the University of Houston Law School.  While in law school, Ms. Shields was on the Journal of International Law.  She was president of the Association of Women in Law.  Ms. Shields was an honor graduate in law school and currently is certified as a second chair for the defense of persons charged with Capital Murder. She has also obtained numerous dismissals on a variety of cases. 

Member State Bar of Texas, Montgomery County Criminal Lawyer's Association, Harris County Criminal Lawyer's Association, The Woodlands Bar Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Ms. Shields worked for the Montgomery County District Attorney for seven years as a felony prosecutor.  In addition to trying felony cases Ms. Shields worked in the Appellate Division handling appeals of all levels including capital death writs of habeas corpus. The high profile cases she handled while there include the following:

State v. Kutzner - The defendant was charged with capital murder of a female realtor in the Woodlands.  The jury convicted the defendant and gave him the death penalty.

State v. Larry Swearengen -  Ms. Shields prosecuted this defendant for kidnapping and murdering a young college student.  He was given the death penalty after a 6-week trial.