Laura Sheppard

Ph.D., School of Forensic Studies: Psychology, Public Policy and Law, Alliant International University (2026 candidate)

J.D., University of San Diego School of Law

B.A. Gonzaga University, Theater Arts

Laura R. Sheppard is a long-time solo criminal defense attorney specializing in post-conviction advocacy, and a consultant, educator, media source, and expert witness on state prison and parole, mitigation, and other criminal topics. She has worked in the past for the San Diego Alternate Public Defender's Office, the Office of Assigned Counsel, and the California Appellate Project. Her experience includes litigating jury trials, direct appeals, habeas petitions, resentencing, and representing over 170 life-term prisoners who earned their freedom through the Board of Parole Hearings. Student interns from all three local law schools have learned in her office over the years.

At Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Professor Sheppard teaches Criminal Law. She also teaches Criminal Law, Business Law, Legal Writing, and Legal Research at Cuyamaca Community College in the Paralegal Program.

She has served on non-profit boards for Americans for Safe Access, the City Heights Community Development Corporation, and Sunshine Little League, and the steering committee for Peace Through Forgiveness. She also routinely serves as a judge for various moot court and mock trial competitions for law schools, colleges, and high schools. She has been quoted and interviewed on ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC news affiliates, and in the Union Tribune, the San Diego Reader, and CalMatters.org.

Her non-law interests include volunteering as a baseball and softball umpire, sculpting, studying French, and following policy matters related to prison and policing.

Course(s) taught: Criminal Law