Shyla R. Buckner

Certifications & Specializations

• Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1999-present)

Biography & Practice Distinctions

As an estate planning attorney, Shyla R. Buckner helps her clients navigate their most complex — and crucial — decisions. Her penchant for addressing potential issues before they become problems makes her especially well-suited for this area of law.

Clients trust Shyla’s years of experience handling complex matters and appreciate her efficiency. From wills and trusts to federal estate and gift tax concerns, she digs in to get the job done in an organized, timely manner.

A lifelong learner, Shyla enjoys continuing her education through courses, Bible studies, and traveling with her friends, husband, and two adult daughters.

Admissions

• Texas State Courts (1993)

Education

• Baylor University School of Law, Juris Doctor (1993)
• Baylor University, Bachelor of Arts (1991)

Bar Memberships

• State Bar of Texas
• Amarillo Area Bar Association

Professional Memberships & Activities

• American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Fellow (2015-present)
• Baylor University School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Law (2005-2007)
• State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Council Member (2015-2019)
  • Trust Committee Chair (2017-2019)
• Amarillo Area Bar Association
  • AMA-LAW Editor (2000-2002)
• Amarillo Area Estate Planning Council
  • President (2016-2017)
  • Vice President (2015-2016)
  • Secretary-Treasurer (2014-2015)
• State Bar of Texas CLE planning committees

Civic & Community Involvement 

• West Texas A&M University Foundation Board
  • Director (2016-present)
  • President (2025-present)
  • President Elect (2023-2025)
  • Secretary (2017-2023)

Presentations & Publications

• Co-Author for the State Bar of Texas PDP 1998, Advanced Drafting: Estate Planning and Probate, Dallas, Texas, November 5-6, 1998, “How Powers of Appointment Work”
• Co-Author for the State Bar of Texas PDP 1999, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, June 2-4, 1999, “Estate Planning for the Incapacitated Spouse”
• Author of “Fee Forfeiture in Legal Malpractice Cases,” Probate & Property (The Magazine of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association), September/October 2001
• Co-Author for the State Bar of Texas PDP 2002, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, Dallas, Texas, June 5-7, 2002, “The Valuation Discount: A Double-Edged Sword”
• Co-Speaker for the State Bar of Texas PDP 2003, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, June 3, 2003, “Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate”
• Co-Speaker for the State Bar of Texas PDP 2004, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, San Antonio, Texas, June 8, 2004, “Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate”
• Co-Speaker for the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 24, 2004, “Nuts and Bolts of Estate Planning and Probate”
• Speaker for the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, June 25, 2004, “Ultimate Transactions: Estate Planning”
• Author and speaker for State Bar of Texas 2011, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, Fort Worth, Texas, June 8-10, 2011, “An Old Dog, but Still Tricky – Marital Deduction Planning and Disclaimer Planning”
• Author and speaker for State Bar of Texas 2012, Annual Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, Dallas, Texas, October 18-19, 2012, “Drafting for Religious & Philosophical Preferences” (encore presentation to the Estate Planning Council of Central Texas (EPCCT), Austin, Texas, on January 22, 2013)
• Author and panelist for State Bar of Texas 2013, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Law Course, Houston, Texas, June 26-28, 2013, “Yet Another Paradigm Shift: The 2012 Act Resets Our Plans, Forms and Practices”
• Co-Author and speaker for State Bar of Texas 2014, Annual Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, Dallas, Texas, October 9-10, 2014, “A Rose By Any Other Name: Utilizing And Drafting Powers For Trustees, Trustee Advisors, And Trust Protectors”
• Author and speaker for State Bar of Texas 2016, Annual Estate Planning and Probate Drafting Course, Dallas, Texas, October 6-7, 2016, “Drafting Matters In Light Of Form 8971 Basis Reporting” (also presented at the Amarillo Area Bar Association’s 2016 Trust, Probate & Guardianship Law Course, September 23, 2016)
• Panel moderator for State Bar of Texas 2018, Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 12-13, 2018, “Entities and Asset Protection – Planning Around the Issues that Congress Can’t Legislate Away: Families, Creditors, and Business Partners”
• Course Director for State Bar of Texas 2019, “Handling Your First (or Next) Trust” Course, Austin, Texas, February 1, 2019
• Panel moderator and speaker for State Bar of Texas 2022, Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course, Santa Fe, New Mexico, April 21-22, 2022, “Preparing Gift Tax Returns: Collected Views and Perspectives”
• Author and speaker for South Plains Trust & Estate Council meeting, Lubbock, Texas, January 15, 2026, “What’s Trending: Current Developments and Hot Topics in Estates and Estate Tax Planning”
• Author and speaker for various speaking engagements on estate planning, probate and trust administration topics for the Amarillo Area Bar Association and the Amarillo Area Estate Planning Council