Gracie Wood Shepherd was born and raised in Austin, Texas—a true Austinite. After high school, she received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her law degree from Baylor Law School, where she graduated cum laude. Gracie practices family law because she feels passionate about supporting families through this season of conflict and uncertainty. Gracie participated in the 2019 class of the Austin Bar /Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy. The academy focuses on making a difference in the community, serving the Bar, and promoting professional development. She served on the Executive Committee for the Leadership Academy in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and is serving as the Co-Chair for the Academy in 2023 and 2024. Gracie was elected to the Austin Young Lawyers Association Board of Directors for a two year term 2021-2023, and she was recently elected as the Executive Secretary for Board of Directors.
While in law school, Gracie was the President of the Student Bar for an unprecedented three terms, President of the Public Interest Legal Society which organizes McLennan County Adoption Day, Senior Executive Editor on Law Review, member of Order of the Barrister’s, and student member of the Judge Abner V. McCall American Inn of Court. The National Jurist, a national law magazine, named Gracie as one of the Law Students of the Year in 2018. She was also awarded numerous public service and leadership awards during her time in undergrad and law school. While at Texas A&M, Gracie was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and Student Government Association. She currently continues to serve Texas A&M through an elected position as a Class Agent, working as a liaison between her class and the Association of Former Students.
Gracie handles a variety of family law issues including divorce, child custody, adoptions, protective orders, child custody modifications, enforcement actions, child support, property division, guardianship of minors, and appellate cases.
Giving back to the community is an important aspect of Gracie’s career. She graduated law school with over 500 hours of pro bono work, attaining the designation of Pro Bono Scholar. Since 2014, Gracie has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Brazos, Grimes, Hill, McLennan, and Travis counties, advocating on behalf of abused and neglected children in foster care and assisting the programs with fundraising and outreach efforts. Gracie also volunteers regularly at pro bono family law clinics through Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas.
Awards and Membership Organizations
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2021-2023
- Austin Monthly, Top Attorneys, 2021-2023
- Austin Young Lawyers Association, Director, 2021-2023
- Austin Young Lawyers Association, Board of Directors, Executive Secretary, 2023-2024
- Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy Committee, 2020-2022
- Austin Bar/Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy Co-Chair, 2023-2024
- State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section
- Austin Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Williamson County Bar Association
- Baylor Law Austin Steering Committee
- Texas Aggie Bar Association