She has worked as a Federal Public Defender since 1994, during which time she has tried approximately 25 cases to completion. Previously, from 1992 to 1994, she worked as a litigation associate at the law firm of Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan in Atlanta. Silas received her J.D. in 1992 from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.S. in 1988 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.