Skip to content
Jackson Walker
  • People
  • Services & Industries

    Search our experience

    View all Services & Industries
  • News
    All News Insights Podcasts Subscribe to JW News & Insights
  • Locations
    Austin

    Austin

    Dallas

    Dallas

    Dallas

    Fort Worth

    Dallas

    Houston

    Dallas

    San Angelo

    Dallas

    San Antonio

    Dallas

    Our Global Reach

  • Meet JW
    • Who We Are
      About Us Videos Podcasts Recognition JW Alumni
    • What We Value
      Community Belonging & Inclusion Jackson Walker Women Pro Bono
    • How We Work
      Globalaw Project Management Value Management
  • Careers
    Experienced Attorneys Law Students Business Professionals & Paralegals
Bethany Pickett Shah

Bethany Pickett Shah

Partner, Houston
713.752.4365
bpickett@jw.com
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • vCard
  • Print
Biography Practice Experience Recognition & Accolades Publications & Speeches Community Involvement News & Insights
Bethany Pickett Shah

Bethany Pickett Shah

Partner, Houston
713.752.4365
bpickett@jw.com
Email LinkedIn vCard Print
Practice Experience Recognition & Accolades Publications & Speeches Community Involvement Attorney News

Practice Areas

  • Trial & Appellate Litigation

Experience

  • Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
  • Export Controls Enforcement
  • Global Anti-Corruption Compliance and Defense
  • Global Corporate Victim Advocacy
  • Investigations & White Collar Defense
  • Media
  • Media Litigation
  • Securities Enforcement

Biography

Bethany Pickett Shah is a partner in the Litigation and Investigations & White Collar sections of Jackson Walker’s Houston office. Bethany has represented media companies, energy conglomerates, healthcare providers, retail, and tech companies in a wide array of civil litigation and investigations.

An experienced trial and appellate litigator, Bethany has tried four federal jury trials to verdict and presented oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Prior to joining the firm, Bethany served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas, representing the United States in criminal prosecutions and complex civil litigation. Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Bethany worked at the White House as Deputy Associate Counsel to the President and at the Department of Justice as a Counsel in the Civil Rights Division and in the Office of Legal Policy. During her tenure in public service, Bethany worked on the confirmations of Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, as well as over 100 other federal judges across the country. She additionally counseled the White House and federal agencies on high-profile legal issues.

After law school, Bethany served as a law clerk to the Honorable Edith H. Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Education

B.A., magna cum laude, The King’s College

J.D., cum laude, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

  • Northwestern University Law Review, Notes Editor
  • Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy, Editor

Bar Admissions

Texas

Court Admissions

United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western District of Texas

  • Obtained complete dismissal of a Voting Rights Act and constitutional challenge to a school district’s at‑large election system, including an award of attorneys’ fees and a court order requiring the opposing party to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed.

  • “Litigator of the Week,” Runner-Up, Am Law Litigation Daily (January 2026)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), 2025-2026
    • Appellate Practice, 2025-2026
    • Commercial Litigation, 2026
    • Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2026
  • Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2025-2026
  • Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, Trial & Appellate Litigation, 2024-2025
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas Dedicated Service Award, 2021
  • Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for her work at the U.S. Department of Justice, 2019

  • Co-Author, “US Supreme Court to Decide Whether the Government Can Prove Knowledge When the Defendant’s Regulatory Interpretation Is “Objectively Reasonable”,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 2023)
  • Co-Author, “DOJ Officials Announce New Priorities to Combat Corporate Crime with Additional Details Provided at Government Enforcement Conference in Dallas,” Jackson Walker Insights (September 2022)

  • Trustee, The King’s College
  • Appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to serve on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel
  • Board Member, Houston Lawyers Chapter, Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies

2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars honorees
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2026 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers has named 74 attorneys to the Texas Super Lawyers list and 56 attorneys to the Texas Rising Stars list for 2026.

Attorney News • February 26, 2026

Tim Davis and Bethany Shah
Tim Davis and Bethany Pickett Shah Featured as “Litigator of the Week” Runners-Up

Jackson Walker partners Tim Davis and Bethany Pickett Shah were featured in Litigation Daily’s “Litigators of the Week” as runners-up for their work representing the Keller Independent School District.  

Mentions • January 23, 2026

Texas State Capitol building-Texas Supreme Court in Austin
Texas Supreme Court Simplifies Interstate Discovery with UIDDA Adoption

By Bethany Pickett Shah and Ivan De Leon

The Texas Supreme Court recently finalized amendments to Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 201, implementing the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act (“UIDDA”). The amendments took effect August 31, 2025, marking a shift in how parties conduct interstate discovery involving Texas witnesses.

Insights • October 24, 2025

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – October 2025

View Jackson Walker’s October 2025 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • October 6, 2025

2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars announcement
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Attorney News • September 18, 2025

USA flags
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.

Attorney News • August 21, 2025

Lawdragon 2025 X Next Generation - Edwin Buffmire, Art Cavazos, Amanda Crouch, Brian Oates, Bethany Pickett Shah, and Ashley Withers
Six Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Next-Generation Lawyers for 2025

Jackson Walker attorneys Edwin Buffmire, Art Cavazos, Amanda Crouch, Brian Oates, Bethany Pickett Shah, and Ashley Withers have been selected to the third annual “Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation” list recognizing attorneys who have demonstrated significant impact early in their careers.

Attorney News • July 17, 2025

JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – May 2025

View Jackson Walker’s May 2025 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • May 30, 2025

Jackson Walker Announces Election of 12 Attorneys to Partnership

Jackson Walker is proud to announce the election of 12 outstanding attorneys to the firm’s partnership.

Attorney News • February 7, 2025

Bethany Pickett
Bethany Pickett Shah Joins Board of Houston Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies

Jackson Walker is pleased to congratulate Bethany Pickett Shah on her appointment to the Houston Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.

Attorney News • August 28, 2024

JW Diversity & Inclusion 2022 Report theme
JW Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter – August 2024

View Jackson Walker’s August 2024 Belonging & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • August 23, 2024

Best Lawyers 2025 edition graphic - 306 attorneys recognized, 81 specialty areas, 75 Ones to Watch, and 9 Lawyers of the Year
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

Attorney News • August 15, 2024

Lawdragon X Next Generation 2024 - Edwin Buffmire, Art Cavazos, Amanda Crouch, Brian Oates, Manny Schoenhuber, Bethany Pickett Shah, and Ashley Withers
Seven Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to Lawdragon’s List of 500 Next-Generation Lawyers

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of Edwin Buffmire, Art Cavazos, Amanda Crouch, Brian Oates, Manny Schoenhuber, Bethany Pickett Shah, and Ashley Withers to the “Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation” list for 2024.

Attorney News • June 28, 2024

Bethany Pickett
Bethany Pickett Shah Nominated by President Joe Biden to Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute

Jackson Walker proudly congratulates attorney Bethany Pickett Shah on her nomination by President Joe Biden to serve as a Republican member on the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute.

Attorney News • May 23, 2024

For False Claims Act Cases, SCOTUS Says Courts Should Look at What Defendants Subjectively Knew at Time of Offense

The U.S. Supreme Court recently announced its ruling in United States Ex Rel Schutte v. SuperValu Inc., a case that will impact how corporations will defend themselves in False Claims Act (“FCA”) litigation. In a win for the government, the Court held that the knowledge element of the FCA concerns what a defendant knew at the time it submitted a claim, not what someone could have objectively known after-the-fact.

Insights • June 2, 2023

United States Supreme Court building with Jackson Walker logo
US Supreme Court to Decide Whether the Government Can Prove Knowledge When the Defendant’s Regulatory Interpretation Is “Objectively Reasonable”

The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in a pair of cases out of the Seventh Circuit that will finally resolve a longstanding circuit split on the question of “scienter” under the False Claims Act (FCA)—namely, whether a defendant can “knowingly” violate the FCA if the relevant legal requirement is ambiguous and the defendant’s conduct is otherwise “objectively reasonable.”

By Jennifer Freel, Laura M. Kidd Cordova, & Bethany Pickett Shah

Insights • January 24, 2023

Department of Justice with Jackson Walker logo
DOJ Officials Announce New Priorities to Combat Corporate Crime with Additional Details Provided at Government Enforcement Conference in Dallas

By Jennifer Freel, Erica Giese, and Bethany R. Pickett

On September 15, 2022, Deputy Attorney General Lisa A. Monaco outlined new steps the Department of Justice will be taking in its ongoing efforts to police corporate crime. The next day, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Lisa Miller discussed the new policy at the University of Texas School of Law’s Government Enforcement Institute—a two-day conference held in Dallas, Texas. This article covers key areas Department of Justice officials will focus their efforts in the coming months.

Insights • September 22, 2022

JW Diversity & Inclusion social image 2021
JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – October 2021

View Jackson Walker’s October 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Newsletters • October 5, 2021

More Attorney News

Practice Experience

  • Obtained complete dismissal of a Voting Rights Act and constitutional challenge to a school district’s at‑large election system, including an award of attorneys’ fees and a court order requiring the opposing party to show cause why sanctions should not be imposed.

Recognition & Accolades

  • “Litigator of the Week,” Runner-Up, Am Law Litigation Daily (January 2026)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), 2025-2026
    • Appellate Practice, 2025-2026
    • Commercial Litigation, 2026
    • Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2026
  • Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2025-2026
  • Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation, Trial & Appellate Litigation, 2024-2025
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas Dedicated Service Award, 2021
  • Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service for her work at the U.S. Department of Justice, 2019

Publications & Speeches

  • Co-Author, “US Supreme Court to Decide Whether the Government Can Prove Knowledge When the Defendant’s Regulatory Interpretation Is “Objectively Reasonable”,” Jackson Walker Insights (January 2023)
  • Co-Author, “DOJ Officials Announce New Priorities to Combat Corporate Crime with Additional Details Provided at Government Enforcement Conference in Dallas,” Jackson Walker Insights (September 2022)

Community Involvement

  • Trustee, The King’s College
  • Appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to serve on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel
  • Board Member, Houston Lawyers Chapter, Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies

Practice Areas

  • Trial & Appellate Litigation

Experience

  • Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
  • Export Controls Enforcement
  • Global Anti-Corruption Compliance and Defense
  • Global Corporate Victim Advocacy
  • Investigations & White Collar Defense
  • Media
  • Media Litigation
  • Securities Enforcement

Keep up with the latest from Jackson Walker.
Subscribe »

LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X / Twitter

People

  • View All People

Services & Industries

  • Browse by Category
  • Industries
  • View All Services & Industries

News

  • All News
  • Insights
  • Texas Business Courts
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe to JW News & Insights

Offices

  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • Houston
  • San Angelo
  • San Antonio
  • Our Global Reach

Meet JW

  • About Jackson Walker
  • Videos
  • Community
  • Belonging & Inclusion
  • JW Women
  • Pro Bono
  • Alumni
  • Globalaw
  • Project Management
  • Value Management

Careers

  • Experienced Attorneys
  • Law Students
  • Business Professionals & Paralegals

Jackson Walker   © 2026 Jackson Walker LLP. Terms of Use | Cookies & Tracking Policy | Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Attorney Advertising | SCAC | JW Login