Shannon was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey. She graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor of science degree in Accounting in 2001 and attended Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans, where she also worked as a Legal Research and Writing teaching assistant to first year law students. While attending Loyola, Shannon served as the Substance and Citation Editor of the Loyola Law Review. Shannon graduated magna cum laude from Loyola in 2004 and began working for the law firm of Phelps Dunbar, LLP.
Shannon joined the Firm in 2008. Her practice focuses on litigation and risk mitigation in contractual and employment relationships. In addition to her significant litigation experience, Shannon has experience in all stages of risk mitigation including contract negotiation, formation, pre-suit negotiations and internal investigations. A brief description is provided below.
Commercial Litigation: Represent clients regarding commercial, energy, construction, insurance, and employment litigation issues. Responsible for all aspects of representation including, initial case analysis to determine strategy, case management structure and defense cost estimate, management of litigation team, pleading and motion practice, written discovery, depositions, settlement negotiations, and mediations. Examples include:
- In re: 2007 Witchfire Litigation, Superior Court of California, County of San Diego. Assist in the defense of electrical services company in suit brought by power company for contractual indemnity and breach of contract seeking in excess of $2 billion stemming from massive wildfires in California in 2007. Case involves numerous claims filed by State and City agencies, individuals, and insurance companies against power company alleging that power company's facilities caused three wildfires in October 2007. Settlement negotiations are ongoing. Responsibilities include:
- Primary handling associate accountable for internal litigation team supervision, expert and resource retention and management.
- Create a detailed case management plan for a thorough and effective investigation and information sharing.
- Develop and implement tools and systems to be used by the team to ensure objective accomplishment, effective reporting, and information sharing among the team and with client.
- Formulate detailed protocol for complex and voluminous e-discovery.
- Assist in developing negotiation strategy, draft mediation presentation, and participate in mediation.
- Square D Company v. Dashiell, LLC, Mark Ashcraft, Brian Bramlette, Scott Huerter, and Lloyd Irvin, in the 61st Judicial District, Harris County, Texas. Assist in the defense of energy services company and several employees against claims of employee raiding, theft of confidential information, misappropriation of trade secrets, and tortious interference. Plaintiff claimed company had improperly recruited over 20 employees and appropriated confidential information causing over $10 million in damages. Second-chair four day temporary injunction hearing resulting in a directed verdict and denial of any injunction to Plaintiff. Develop settlement strategy and mediation presentation. Participate in mediation resulting in settlement on favorable terms.
- Alan Engberg v. BP Integrated Supply & Trading North America, Inc., et al., in the 270th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Defend oil and gas company in wrongful termination lawsuit in which Plaintiff sought in excess of $1 million. Conduct investigation, drafted and responded to discovery, drafted mediation presentation, and participated in mediation resulting in favorable settlement.
Commercial Transactions: Counsel clients regarding commercial, energy, and construction issues. Review contracts to ensure risk mitigation. Conduct dispute resolution negotiations to avoid litigation. Examples include:
- Assist oil and gas construction company in collecting past due invoices on over 50 different projects in five different states. Secure liens on numerous properties. Create format for communication between the parties to simplify the identification, documentation, and resolution of change order and invoice issues to speed up payment process. Conduct pre-suit negotiations and collected over $6 million on behalf of company.
- Counsel pipeline construction company regarding current payment terms in contracts and methods to ensure timely collection and created national lien law reference guide for company.
Internal Investigations: Conduct internal investigations for clients regarding various issues including retaliation, subcontractor relations, safety, quality control, and policy compliance. Responsible for all aspects of the investigation including investigation strategy, interviews and site inspections, document identification and review, communication with in-house counsel and corporate executives, and final reports providing findings and recommendations. Examples include:
- Conduct internal investigation for oil and gas company regarding company's fatigue administration standard. Evaluate the adequacy of the company's standard as a whole as well as, the company's training, implementation and compliance with the standard. Draft report providing findings, highlighting areas for improvement, and providing recommendations for corrective action.
- Serve as team lead in lengthy internal investigation for oil and gas company regarding allegations of unethical and discriminatory treatment of contractor employees. Hold regular meetings with in-house counsel and company executives during investigation to advise of status, findings and the necessity of immediate action. Draft investigation report providing recommendations regarding corrective action.
Employment Law: Counsel clients regarding employment matters from retention to termination. Draft and negotiate employment contracts, including separation and non-compete agreements. Review and evaluate proposed corporate policies for possible legal ramifications and objective achievement. Example includes:
- Provide ongoing contract support and guidance to consulting company regarding employment issues. Draft and review employment offers, employment agreements, and independent contractor agreements. Provide guidance regarding hiring decisions and employee retention. Evaluate potential candidates for issues related to non-compete agreements. Assist in development of company policies regarding confidentiality, former employee referrals, and social media usage.
