Shauna Correia has been licensed to practice law in the State of Texas since 1992. She received her law degree from St Mary's University School of Law in Houston, Texas.
Shauna founded her own practice 1n 1993. Her late husband Joel Correia joined the firm in 1999 and practiced until his untimely death from cancer in 2010.
Joel and Shauna always believed that every client should be treated as their only client.
Shauna proudly carries on that tradition today.
"I believe in humor. I believe that laughter can help alleviate many stressful situations. I believe in truly listening to clients. Everyone has a story and often, part of the beginning of getting through a devilish process is having someone hear what you have to say. How can you feel that someone is truly on your side if they have not taken the time to hear you? How can they advocate your position if they don’t know what it is?
I tell my clients, that if they are looking for a lawyer to pound the table and scream the courtroom, go find someone else. Because generally, I have found that those lawyers do that when they don’t have a case. And I like to have a case. I believe in talking softly and carrying a big stick. I like to be prepared, know the law and be underestimated..(which after 20 years doesn’t happen so much anymore..but it feels good when it does)
There are attorneys out there who will take any case for any fee. I truly believe in the positions I take and will not take unreasonable ones on behalf of our clients for revenge sake or in order to justify a fee. I feel it is my job to educate and advise my clients of the law and be strong advocates for them in court; however, I also believe in honesty, with my clients and with the judiciary. The client should make the ultimate decision about their case and be kept informed of the process. I care about my clients and the integrity of the system they are going through.
I was married for almost 11 years and place a high value on the institute of marriage. And yet I understand that people do need to dissolve their partnerships. Having had this relationship gives me an empathy and compassion for what people are going through and I have years of experience in family law to help people through this process. In the realm of criminal and juvenile defense, the focus is the same; assisting people through a time of great stress, with the experience to assist in the process and the compassion to understand the strain." (Shauna Correia)
Examples of Shauna's Outcomes:
Represented client in DWI case involving two accidents, client taken to hospital for blood draw. Case dismissed, client entered plea only to driving without a licence.
Client charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, first degree felony enhanced with range of punishment 25-life. Case reduced to attempted possession of Narcotic paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Client charged with DWI, jury found Not Guilty.
Client charged with multiple counts of Sexual Abuse of Child; Jury found Not Guilty on six counts.
CPS removed children from parents on two separate occasions, family reunited.
Shauna founded her own practice 1n 1993. Her late husband Joel Correia joined the firm in 1999 and practiced until his untimely death from cancer in 2010.
Joel and Shauna always believed that every client should be treated as their only client.
Shauna proudly carries on that tradition today.
"I believe in humor. I believe that laughter can help alleviate many stressful situations. I believe in truly listening to clients. Everyone has a story and often, part of the beginning of getting through a devilish process is having someone hear what you have to say. How can you feel that someone is truly on your side if they have not taken the time to hear you? How can they advocate your position if they don’t know what it is?
I tell my clients, that if they are looking for a lawyer to pound the table and scream the courtroom, go find someone else. Because generally, I have found that those lawyers do that when they don’t have a case. And I like to have a case. I believe in talking softly and carrying a big stick. I like to be prepared, know the law and be underestimated..(which after 20 years doesn’t happen so much anymore..but it feels good when it does)
There are attorneys out there who will take any case for any fee. I truly believe in the positions I take and will not take unreasonable ones on behalf of our clients for revenge sake or in order to justify a fee. I feel it is my job to educate and advise my clients of the law and be strong advocates for them in court; however, I also believe in honesty, with my clients and with the judiciary. The client should make the ultimate decision about their case and be kept informed of the process. I care about my clients and the integrity of the system they are going through.
I was married for almost 11 years and place a high value on the institute of marriage. And yet I understand that people do need to dissolve their partnerships. Having had this relationship gives me an empathy and compassion for what people are going through and I have years of experience in family law to help people through this process. In the realm of criminal and juvenile defense, the focus is the same; assisting people through a time of great stress, with the experience to assist in the process and the compassion to understand the strain." (Shauna Correia)
Examples of Shauna's Outcomes:
Represented client in DWI case involving two accidents, client taken to hospital for blood draw. Case dismissed, client entered plea only to driving without a licence.
Client charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, first degree felony enhanced with range of punishment 25-life. Case reduced to attempted possession of Narcotic paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Client charged with DWI, jury found Not Guilty.
Client charged with multiple counts of Sexual Abuse of Child; Jury found Not Guilty on six counts.
CPS removed children from parents on two separate occasions, family reunited.
Qualifications
Accomplished twenty-two year career demonstrating consistent success in the areas of Family Law and Criminal Defense litigation. Outstanding ethical record with excellent communication and negotiation abilities. Education
Professional Experience
May 1993-January 1, 1999- Shauna Berardinelli Correia, Attorney at Law; Sole Practitioner, Bacliff, Texas.
January 1, 1999-May 31, 2008- Berardinelli & Correia, Bacliff, Texas. Owner/partner;
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications, enforcements, Amicus representations, adoptions, and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense litigation including all levels of State misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense. Probate law. Drafted simple wills, real estate transfers and was appointed ad litem for unknown heirs under the tax code.
June 2, 2008-June 1, 2011- Sondra Kaighen & Associates, P.C.; Associate Attorney, Clear Lake, Texas.
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications,child support and visitation enforcement, Amicus representations, complex property divisions, adoptions and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense, including all levels of misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense.
June 1, 2011-present- Shauna Berardinelli Correia, Attorney at Law; Sole Practitioner, Dickinson, Texas.
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications, child support and visitation enforcement, Amicus representations, adoptions, and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense litigation including all levels of misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense. Wills and Probate. Appointed ad litem for unknown heirs under the tax code.
Professional and Volunteer Associations
Speaking Engagements
What to do when you have been stopped by law enforcement for suspicion of DWI, Alvin Rotary Club, 2011
Interacting with the School System and the Juvenile Law Attorney, Cruise for Juvenile Justice, 2011, 2012
Thy Will Be Done: A Lecture on the Necessity of Estate Documents: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2014
Accomplished twenty-two year career demonstrating consistent success in the areas of Family Law and Criminal Defense litigation. Outstanding ethical record with excellent communication and negotiation abilities. Education
- Admitted to the Texas Bar November 1992
- St. Mary’s University, J.D. - 1992, Delta Theta Phi, Member 1991
- University of New Mexico, B.A., English, Magna Cum Laude, 1989
- Certified Mediator training June 30, 2011, with Advanced Family Mediation training
Professional Experience
May 1993-January 1, 1999- Shauna Berardinelli Correia, Attorney at Law; Sole Practitioner, Bacliff, Texas.
January 1, 1999-May 31, 2008- Berardinelli & Correia, Bacliff, Texas. Owner/partner;
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications, enforcements, Amicus representations, adoptions, and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense litigation including all levels of State misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense. Probate law. Drafted simple wills, real estate transfers and was appointed ad litem for unknown heirs under the tax code.
June 2, 2008-June 1, 2011- Sondra Kaighen & Associates, P.C.; Associate Attorney, Clear Lake, Texas.
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications,child support and visitation enforcement, Amicus representations, complex property divisions, adoptions and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense, including all levels of misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense.
June 1, 2011-present- Shauna Berardinelli Correia, Attorney at Law; Sole Practitioner, Dickinson, Texas.
Family law litigation, including divorce, modifications, child support and visitation enforcement, Amicus representations, adoptions, and representation of families involved with Child Protective Services. Criminal defense litigation including all levels of misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile defense. Wills and Probate. Appointed ad litem for unknown heirs under the tax code.
Professional and Volunteer Associations
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Member, Galveston County Criminal Law Association
- Member of Galveston County Mediators Association
- Board of Directors, Galveston County National Adoption Day Foundation
- Secretary, Galveston County National Adoption Day Foundation 2011-2012
- Volunteer Chair, Speakers Bureau Chair, Galveston County National Adoption Day Committee
- Member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
- Member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Choir
- Vestry member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2013-present
- Senior Warden, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2014
- Girl Scout Leader, Troop 26093, 2012-present
- Past member, Junior League of Galveston County, 2000-2005
- Named Outstanding Young Lawyer, Galveston County Loung Lawyers Association, 1999
- Past President, Galveston County Young Lawyers Association, 1998
- Past Board Member, Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1997-1999
- Past Treasurer of the Galveston County Family Law Association
- Past Volunteer Chair, Galveston Bay Foundation Bay Day Committee, 1994-1996
- President, Delta Delta Delta sorority, 1988
Speaking Engagements
What to do when you have been stopped by law enforcement for suspicion of DWI, Alvin Rotary Club, 2011
Interacting with the School System and the Juvenile Law Attorney, Cruise for Juvenile Justice, 2011, 2012
Thy Will Be Done: A Lecture on the Necessity of Estate Documents: Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2014