Shannon I. Wilson

Shannon I. Wilson was born in East LA County, California and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Determined
to be either a commercial truck driver or a defense attorney by the age of seven, Shannon always stood up for the underdog when facing injustice. Growing up surrounded by domestic violence and resource
scarcity, they developed a deep passion to help and protect others. Shannon did not fall into the criminal
system like many others from their community. They learned firsthand about the systems that did not
allow individuals to heal or succeed in life. With the guidance, determination, and support they received
from their high school soccer coach, grandfather, mother, younger siblings, and many others along the
path, Shannon was able to succeed as a first-generation college and law school graduate.

Shannon pursued a career in social justice. Public defense was a natural fit as a profession dedicated to
community service and individual rights. In 2006, Shannon started as an attorney at the Juvenile Rights
Project in Portland. They expanded their career as a criminal defense attorney practicing in over 14
counties in Oregon. In 2018, Shannon began working in public defense administration and accepted the
position as Executive Director of the Public Defender of Marion County in 2021. 

Shannon is a 15-year resident of Marion County, Oregon and enjoys life connecting with and learning
from nature. They are strongly supported by their partner, family, friends, Sangha, and their thirteen-
year-old/ consultant on all public defense issues. Shannon grounds their actions and decisions in
Buddhist ethics and practices from the Plum Village Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh.