Shannon I. Wilson was born and raised in East LA County, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Determined to be either a commercial truck driver or a litigation attorney, by the age of seven, Shannon valued liberty, fairness, and justice. Growing up with conditions of domestic violence and resource scarcity, they developed a passion to protect people harmed by status quo systems and a calling to help those with limited opportunities to heal or succeed in life.  Fortunately, Shannon did not fall through to the criminal system, like many others within their community. This was mostly due to the wisdom, guidance, and determination of their high school soccer coach, Victor Arbelaez, the determination and confidence of their mother, Patricia, and the unconditional love and support of their sister and brother. 

Shannon decided to pursue a legal profession focused on social justice and community caretaking.  They found that public defense work was a natural fit and a profession filled with purpose. Shannon started as a staff attorney at Juvenile Rights Project in 2006, gained experience as a defense attorney in over 14 Oregon counties, worked as a civilian attorney for soldiers facing military separation proceedings, began their career in public defense administration in Clackamas County, and accepted the position of Executive Director of the Public Defender of Marion County, in June of 2021.

Shannon is a 12-year resident of Marion County, Oregon, and enjoys an amazing life filled with gratitude for their loving partner, coterie, family, sangha, and most of all, their personal consultant and expert on all things related to Oregon's Public Safety Systems.