A native Houstonian and graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Jane Scott Vara has practiced Criminal Law since 1995. She joined the Public Defender’s Office in 2016 after being in private practice for 10 years. In her private practice, she represented adults and juveniles accused of crimes. Prior to entering private practice, she was a prosecutor in both Harris County and Walker County. During her career, Jane has tried numerous felony and misdemeanor cases. She has been Board Certified in Criminal Law since 2010.

Prior to being named Misdemeanor Division Chief, Jane served as an Assistant Chief in the Felony Division.

She serves on the Public Defender’s Committee and Indigent Defense Committee of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association. She loves doing the job she wanted to do since participating in a mock trial in 8th Grade. Jane feels privileged to stand up for people who have no one else to stand for them.