Biography
B.S., J.D., Arizona State University
Joined Albany Law School in 1989. Was previously in private practice in Phoenix, Ariz., concentrating on criminal defense and personal injury litigation; was the training director for the Maricopa County Public Defenders Office; and a judge pro tem. Teaches CLE seminars and trial advocacy workshops throughout the nation. She also serves on Judge Kaye's task force on wrongful convictions and the state bar's committee on the future of indigent defense, as well as a referee for the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Professor Shanks is a frequently quoted resource for reporters around the country. A sampling of recent press coverage includes:
Quoted in the article "Massena crime suspect Patrick Lloyd jailed without bail" by the Watertown, N.Y., Daily Times on April 13, 2013.
Quoted in the article "Lamont Pride to be sentenced in Officer Peter Figoski's slaying" by Newsday on Feb. 28, 2013.
Quoted in the article "Discrimination complaint filed against area farm for refusing to host same-sex marriage ceremony" that ran in the Saratogian and Troy Record on Oct. 22, 2012
Quoted in the Associated Press article "Prostitute patrons can't hide their faces anymore" on Oct. 13, 2012
Interviewed about a headline-making probe into an alleged international prostitution ring on WAMC Northeast Public Radio's Midday Magazine news program on April 27, 2012
Quoted in the Syracuse Post-Standard article "Legal experts: Zach Tomaselli's admitted lying imperils Bernie Fine investigation" on April 13, 2012
Quoted in the New York Law Journal article "Lawyer's Offer to Cover Client's Bail Raises Ethical Concerns" on March 15, 2012