About me
Shanna Dinkins grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. At age 12, she began work at a family-
owned diner, Dairy Isle, selling burgers and shakes. She worked so she could save up
enough money to buy a horse.
Upon graduating from L.D. Bell High School, she attended Tarrant County College for 2
years then went on to attend Texas Wesleyan University. Dinkins graduated with Honors
and received a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis on Legal Studies and a
Paralegal Certificate.
As a graduation gift to herself, Shanna sold her truck to purchase a horse. She did not need
a vehicle because her husband worked undercover as a police officer and had his own take-
home vehicle. Shanna always dreamed of being an excellent equestrian like Annie Oakley.
Shanna enjoys herding cattle and trail riding. During a longhorn cattle herding event in
Fort Robinson, Nebraska, Shanna and her horse received the “Best Rider’ award by the
American Paint Horse Association. Shanna and her husband raised 2 children and equipped
them to become the best riders they can be.
In 1995, Dinkins started working for a small Fort Worth consumer bankruptcy firm. During
the heyday of consumer bankruptcy, the practice was thriving. She and her supervising
attorney processed 50 cases a month. In the absence of bankruptcy software, the former tax
attorney took Dinkins under his wing and showed her how to calculate chapter 13 plans by
hand.
Over the years, Dinkins has been known for her innovative approach to problem-solving
with chapter 13 cases. She works for 3 consumer bankruptcy firms, drafting chapter 13
modifications. Dinkins has conducted small consumer bankruptcy workshops to train other
paralegals in the art of resolving chapter 13 trustee objections and drafting modifications.
For over 4 years now, Dinkins has worked for retired bankruptcy Judge Russell F. Nelms.
She has assisted in his various chapter 11 engagements. Dinkins has acquired extensive
experience in Judge Nelms’s notable engagements, assisting him with his roles as:
mediator, independent director, independent manager, litigation trustee, plan trustee, expert
witness, and speaker. In one of his current engagements, Dinkins was given authority to
resolve post-petition claims. As board secretary in other chapter 11 cases, she provides
effective note taking while setting up and conducting committee meetings using the Zoom
platform.
When not working in the bankruptcy world, Shanna enjoys time on her farm with her
horses, donkeys, cattle, 2 Belgian Malinois /German Shepard Dogs, and 3 house cats.
Working with bankruptcy clients over the years has taught her many things, but one sticks
with her: “You can’t tell how good the man or a watermelon is ‘til they get thumped.’”
