Makenzie Zarate

Meet Makenzie Zarate

Makenzie spent her early years in Red Oak, Texas, and later moved to Dallas, where she graduated from Bishop Lynch High School. It was there during a class field trip to the criminal courthouse that she realized she wanted to be a criminal defense attorney. Makenzie went on to study Pre-Law at Texas Tech University, where she received a communications degree with minors in both Legal Studies and Spanish. Makenzie continued her education at the Texas Tech University School of Law, graduating cum laude in May 2019.

In her free time, Makenzie enjoys playing team sports, board games, trivia – and most other activities that tailor to her competitive spirit. She is also a huge Dallas sports fan. Makenzie enjoys riding her Harley, hanging out with her three dachshunds, and camping with her family. She also trains and competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Lawyer Stuff:

Makenzie knew she wanted to defend the accused early on in her educational journey. She completed a short internship with the juvenile public defender in Dallas while still in high school. As an undergraduate student at Texas Tech, Makenzie lived in a Pre-Law learning community and worked part-time as a runner and law clerk for local Lubbock defense attorneys.

While in law school, Makenzie was selected to participate in the Criminal Defense Clinic where she represented more than two dozen indigent clients on various criminal cases. She received the “Top Grade Award” for her work there. Makenzie was also selected for membership in the Texas Tech Law Review after completing a writing competition for which she won the Darby Dickerson Top Writing Award. This award is reserved for the student who receives the competition’s top score. She was one of eight students selected for publication in Vol. 51 for her criminal law article entitled Bullies Behind Bars: How Changes to Statewide Cyberbullying Policy May Do More Harm Than Good.

Makenzie has been recognized for her work in indigent defense. In addition to serving on the Pro Bono Board, she received the Brendan Murray Criminal Defense Public Service Award, the Elma Moreno Graduating Student of the Year Award, and the Judge Ken G. Spencer Award. She graduated from the

Texas Tech School of Law in May 2019, passing the Bar, and becoming licensed to practice later that year.

Experience:

After nearly a year of practice in Ellis County, Makenzie joined the Deandra Grant Law team.

In 2020, Makenzie completed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)/International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Program. This training has been a cornerstone in enhancing her courtroom skills through her understanding of field sobriety test administration. Additionally, she has completed a comprehensive course on the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP/DRE) utilizing the 2023 NHTSA & IACP curriculum.

Starting in 2021, Makenzie undertook an intensive 160-hour analytical lab training program at Axion Labs in Chicago. The program included a series of hands-on courses in forensic gas chromatography, solid drug analysis, and forensic DUID. In October 2023, she earned her Forensic Lawyer-Scientist Designation as recognized by the Chemistry and the Law Division of the American Chemical Society.

Makenzie has presented at DWI seminars both in Texas and out of state. Makenzie works out of the Dallas office and handles cases in the DFW area. She has handled dozens of jury trials to verdict and is currently the Chief of DGL’s DWI Trial Division.