Sharla J. Frost: From Courtroom Powerhouse to Children’s Author and Cattle Rancher

Sharla J. Frost was born in Paris, Texas and grew up across the Red River in Frogville, Oklahoma. A fourth generation Frogvillian on one side of the family and a fifth on the other, she comes from a long line of storytellers. She took those storytelling genes and put them to use as a trial lawyer for more than 30 years. Her professional achievements include being recognized by Chambers Partners for her trial skills, being recognized by Best Lawyers as the 2018 Houston Lawyer of the Year (Products Liability Litigation-Defendants), being recognized as a Texas SuperLawyer every year from 2005 to 2020, and serving as the President of Litigation Counsel of America, among other honors. She has also been active in the National Association of Women Lawyers, including repeat service on the Supreme Court Nominee Evaluation Committee. 

The first lawyer in the family, Sharla found that getting through law school was just the first hurdle to professional success. Practicing law while female presented many challenges, including the unanticipated (and undisclosed) need to develop her own clients. Fortunately, she had a knack for connecting with clients as well as for talking to juries. However, she found that there were few resources to guide her in the process of developing clients. Her process was trial and error. After retiring from the courtroom, she decided to write the guide to business development that she would have liked to have had when she was developing her own marketing strategy. That guide is Power at the Table.

Sharla is a highly sought after expert witness, speaker and career coach. She is actively engaged in the legal industry and travels throughout the U.S. making presentations, consulting and providing expert testimony on high impact cases. 

The Frogville series is a labor of love for Sharla. The books are a timeless mix of fantasy, nostalgia and adventure come to life in each magical story. While written for children, all ages will enjoy the trip into a world where everything is possible, and things really are the way we wish they could be.

You’re recognized as one of the country’s top litigators. What has your journey looked like?

I walked into law school knowing one thing for sure: I wanted to be in the courtroom. I had been a college debater, and the rhythm of argument and persuasion just felt natural to me. I started my legal career at Fulbright & Jaworski in Houston, now Norton Rose, but quickly discovered that big law firms weren’t exactly handing out trial opportunities to young lawyers.

So, I made a strategic move. I joined a boutique spin-off firm, where I had the chance to try increasingly complex cases. The early ’90s were a booming time for trials in Texas, which gave me valuable exposure—and connections. One opportunity led to another, and soon I was known as a go-to trial lawyer for high-stakes defense litigation around the country.

When COVID-19 shifted the world, it also gave me space to reevaluate. I chose to pivot, channeling my courtroom experience into settlement strategy and negotiations. It was a natural evolution—still high-level problem solving, just applied differently.

Do you believe we carry the power we need within ourselves?

Absolutely. The tools we need to face life’s challenges exist within us. We just have to trust that inner flame we have—and fuel it with determination and hard work. I didn’t need a textbook to teach me about the power of self-determination. I learned that from watching my parents rise above the limitations of their circumstances through sheer hard work and willpower. That example resonated with me.  

What drives your passion? Tell us more about your book, Power at the Table, and why it’s so important for lawyers to have their own business.

Helping others step into their power—that’s what drives me. In the legal world, true empowerment starts when you have your own clients. Law firms are structured like pyramids. The more business you bring in, the more control you have over your career, your income, and your time.

That’s why I wrote Power at the Table. It’s not just about business development; it’s about showing lawyers—especially women—that they don’t have to wait for permission to lead. Having your own book of business puts you in the driver’s seat. I’ve spent decades teaching others how to get there.

How did you transition from litigator to cattle rancher?

Honestly, I never really left the ranching life. I grew up on a cattle ranch, and I continued that business even as I built my legal career. About ten years after law school, I bought Frogsailles, my own ranch property, from my junior high church choir director. For years, my parents and I were partners in the business. Once I stepped away from full-time litigation, I had the freedom to spend more time on the cattle business and the land.

There’s something peaceful and grounding about ranch life. After years of courtroom battles, it’s a welcome contrast—and a mental reset I truly value.

Podcasts:

Interview with Sharla Frost: Breakthrough Walls by Ken Walls.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pORppIr8uUA

Interview with Sharla Frost: American Dream Makers by Zenaq Krogedal

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRYPQFrUKL0

What inspired your fun and uplifting children’s book, Frogville?

After Power at the Table, I was ready for a new creative challenge. My publisher suggested a children’s book, and it clicked. I’ve always loved classic fairy tales and adventure stories. With Frogville Quest I wanted to weave together traditional storytelling with a heroine who’s strong, spirited, and refreshingly real.

Lily, the main character, faces unexpected change—but she doesn’t crumble or complain. She adapts, moves forward, and finds her way. I wanted readers to see a character who succeeds because of who she is, not because of what she is.

What was it like growing up in Frogville, Oklahoma?

It was magical in its simplicity. Frogville is nestled in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, and life there moved at a slower, more intentional pace. I was surrounded by family—my grandparents lived just down the road, and we had a big garden every year. My mother was an incredible seamstress and made many of our clothes. We were surrounded by open fields and wildlife.

It was the kind of childhood where the sky was big, the roads were gravel, and the soundtrack was birdsong. There’s a quote floating around that describes “a slow childhood full of unstructured play”—and that captures it perfectly.

Tell us about Lily Lotus Dillweed. What makes her unique?

Lily is a joyful, creative, and resilient girl. She’s not waiting to be saved—she takes action. Unlike traditional fairy tale characters, she’s not a damsel in distress. But she’s also not a modern-day cynic. She leads with heart, clarity, and courage.

When she unexpectedly becomes a frog, she embraces her new reality with poise. She doesn’t waste time on outrage—she simply gets on with her adventure. That quiet strength and grace are what make her such a powerful role model for readers of all ages.

What values come through in your stories?

Family, loyalty, and personal integrity are at the heart of the Frogville Quest  series. Lily keeps her promises, forgives easily, and forms meaningful friendships. Even when she’s alone, she never feels lonely. She draws from her education and her relationships to solve problems—and she faces every challenge with compassion and grit.

Mark Victor Hansen called Frogville “a delightful read cover to cover for all ages.” What’s next for the series? Any signings planned?

The newest adventure drops Lily into “Underearth” after she tumbles down a rabbit hole. She meets new characters and faces new challenges—but with help from familiar friends and a newcomer named Jack, she finds her way back to her own world and back on the path to Frogville.

As always, we’ll be kicking off the first book signings this summer in Fort Towson, Oklahoma—just a hop and a skip from Frogville itself.

You’re also a well-known keynote speaker. What topics are you most passionate about?

Here are a few of my most requested talks:

• Even Cowgirls Get the Clients
• Business Resilience in a Challenging World
• You Don’t Need to Be Someone Else
• Connect the Dots: Success in Life and Business
• Law and the Entrepreneur

I’ll be speaking at the Rockstar Marketing BootCamp in Los Angeles on April 4-5, with more events lined up for later this year. I love connecting with audiences who are ready to step into their own power.

What advice would you offer women entering male-dominated fields?

The rewards are real—and they’re worth the work. Yes, you’ll face obstacles. But if you stay focused, choose your battles wisely, and don’t let the noise distract you, you’ll come out stronger.

An adversary once told me, “You’re the best I’ve ever seen at picking your battles.” I took that as one of the highest compliments I’ve ever received. Not everything deserves your energy. Save it for the moments that matter—and never lose sight of your ultimate goal.

www.sharlafrost.com