High-Profile Prosecutors, Former Criminal Court Judge Join Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl

The Dallas law firm of Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl is announcing the addition of three Dallas County criminal courts veterans to the firm’s roster of experienced criminal defense attorneys. Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl is a full-service firm representing defendants in state and federal white-collar criminal cases and other high-profile legal matters.

Former Dallas County assistant district attorneys Toby Shook and Bill Wirskye, and former Dallas County Judge Neil Pask, who also served for many years in the Dallas DA’s office, all will represent criminal defense clients in their new roles as private practitioners.

"These three men bring to our firm more than 54 years of combined legal experience in the district attorney’s office and on the bench, and they have participated in some of the most significant and publicized felony criminal cases in the country," says Dan Hagood, a name partner in the firm. "We’re confident that their knowledge and expertise will greatly benefit both our clients and the other attorneys of the firm."

Mr. Shook most recently served as chief of the felony trial division of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Wirskye joins the firm after serving as the office’s chief homicide prosecutor. Mr. Pask most recently served as Judge of Dallas Country Criminal Court No. 2.

In his 23 years as an assistant district attorney Mr. Shook tried more than 300 cases, including 21 death penalty cases, and earned a reputation as one of the nation’s top prosecutors. Among his well-known cases are the successful prosecutions of Darlie Routier, the Texas Seven prison escapees and serial killer Charles Albright. He has received a number of awards from legal associations and has made numerous appearances on national news programs.

Mr. Wirskye served as an assistant district attorney for 12 years and personally presented more than 200 homicide cases to Dallas County grand juries and conducted a number of complex investigations. Mr. Wirskye is a highly sought-after speaker for law enforcement and legal seminars throughout Texas.

Mr. Pask was one of Dallas County’s highest-rated criminal court judges, disposing of more cases and trying more jury trials than any other judge during his four years on the bench. Prior to his judicial service he spent 17 years in the district attorney’s office in leadership roles ranging from chief felony prosecutor to chief of the misdemeanor division.

Fitzpatrick Hagood Smith & Uhl was formed in the fall of 2004. Each attorney in the firm is a former prosecutor at the state or federal levels, and each has tried hundreds of cases to verdict.