THE GRIFFITH & ASSOCIATES TEAM!
Ellis County Criminal Defense Attorneys and Support Staff
Mark D. Griffith, Attorney at Law
(Ellis County Criminal Defense Attorney)
Mark Griffith founded his law firm in 1993. He has always devoted his practice exclusively to the defense of Texas citizens who have been charged with a crime. Mark Griffith is a trial attorney and has successfully tried cases to “Not Guilty” verdicts from Murder to Driving While Intoxicated.
Mark Griffith was born and raised in Ennis, Texas. He attended Ennis High School and was the President of his graduating class. He attended St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies. He graduated Valedictorian of his college class with a 4.0 GPA.
Mark Griffith attended the prestigious Baylor University School of Law in Waco, Texas, which is known for producing top tier trial attorneys.
Mark has three times attended the Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming presided over by the legendary attorney, Gerry Spence, who has never lost a criminal case.
* Founding President of the Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
* Served twice as the President of the Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
* Awarded the “Horns of the Bull Award” by the Ellis County Bar Association in recognition of his “stubborn tenacity” in 2004 and, as of this date, is the only recipient of this award.
* Named one of two “Go-To” criminal defense attorneys in Ellis County in the April 19, 2004 issue of the Texas Lawyer periodical.
* Currently one of only two attorneys in Ellis County qualified to handle death penalty cases as lead counsel.
* Speaker at Continuing Legal Education Seminar on topic of “Taking the Mystery and Magic out of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests”
* Speaker at Continuing Legal Education Seminar on topic of “Preparing Yourself, Your Client, and Your Case”
* Oldest participant in Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament, 32 years old. Set a record for obtaining the fastest knockout in Golden Gloves history....4 seconds.
* Successfully completed training program with retired Navy SEALS.
Mark Griffith is a fighter. Criminal Defense Attorney is his title but it is also his passion!
To contact Mark Griffith...click here
Monica P. Bishop, Attorney at Law
(Ellis County Criminal Defense Attorney)
Monica joined Griffith & Associates in 2007 after attaining extensive trial experience as a prosecuting County and District Attorney. During her time as a prosecutor, Monica served both Johnson and Ellis counties prosecuting misdemeanor and felony level crimes. Monica proved herself a tenacious and determined trial attorney accruing a long list of first chair trials with an impressive success rate.
Monica was raised in the small town atmosphere of Magnolia, Texas. While working in a corporate career, Monica worked her way through college and law school. Monica graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas in downtown Houston. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration Monica went on to attend South Texas College of Law where she took advantage of the trial training and advocacy programs the law school is famous for. The School’s student advocacy program garners top honors from peer schools and advocacy professors nationwide. U.S. News and World Report’s 13th annual rankings of legal specialties includes South Texas in the top ten schools for teaching trial advocacy skills. The downtown Houston law school is one of only five in the country to make the top ten list every year the publication has distributed rankings. Monica is proud to have achieved multiple Champion Trial Team titles and Speaker awards during her law school experience. In her legal career, Monica has continued to develop her trial skills, concentrating her Continuing Legal Education in the area of criminal case preparation and trial presentation. This trial training has made her a strong advocate for her clients and an effective trial lawyer for their cases.
When not pursuing justice for her clients, Monica can be found riding and training her world champion show mules. Monica is a lifelong equestrian and has found that the assets that have made her a champion equestrian have also propelled her legal career; a tenacious spirit, dedicated work ethic and steadfast pursuit to prevail. Griffith & Associates’ clients receive this same excellence from Monica.
To contact Monica Bishop...click here
Venita Phillips
(Ellis County Office Manager)
Venita Phillips has been working as a secretary/office manager in a criminal defense office since 1981. She worked with Steve Kelley, Attorney at Law, prior to his untimely passing in 1999. Mr. Kelley was a very prominent Criminal Defense attorney in Ellis County and North Texas.
In 1999, Venita joined the Mark D. Griffith & Associates team and has proven to be an incredible asset in every way. There is no client that walks into the office of Griffith & Associates that does to feel welcome and taken care of when they speak with Venita.
Griffith & Associates has a thriving criminal defense practice, and Venita keeps the office moving smoothly and efficiently at all times.
There have been clients, after their case is successfully concluded, who hug her and thank her for her kindness and her concern.
She is truly an asset to the Griffith & Associates Ellis County criminal defense team.
William Vansyckle
Vansyckle & Associates
(Licensed Private Investigator)
William “Bill” Vansyckle has been investigating criminal matters since 1981. He has investigated pretty much every case in the Penal Code. He has always done the investigations for the accused. Bill has investigated more than 15 Capital Murder cases, many of which where the death penalty was being asked for.
For the last 5 years Bill has devoted his primary investigation schedule to the Law Firm of Mark D. Griffith & Associates. He is an invaluable member of the Team. He adds the element that every Defendant or Accused deserves. The government has investigators and clients of Griffith & Associates can know that they also have an investigator with 26 years experience in criminal investigations.
Bill has proven to be an incredible asset to this Law Firm. On many occasions Bill has uncovered evidence or interviewed a witness that resulted in the case against the accused being dismissed. When faced with all the resources of the government it is important to match those resources and Bill certainly adds another aspect to the Team that evens the playing field.
