Profile
Representative Matters
Publications

Bob Shannon navigates complex matters into a focused strategy, at the intersection of law, government, and politics. A veteran litigator, Bob represents prominent clients, managing sensitive and high-exposure cases. With significant trial experience in state and federal courts, he was honored by the Jury Verdict Reporter for obtaining the top defense verdict of the year for a long-time client, the Chicago White Sox. Bob also has a regulatory practice, advising well-known Chicago businesses, nonprofits, elected officials, lobbyists, and public entities. He serves as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, Special Assistant State’s Attorney for Cook County, and Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. Previously, he was a prosecutor in the city's Special Prosecutions Division.

Bob serves as the firm’s managing partner and collaborates with the firm’s management committee, DEI Committee, practice group leaders and C-suite to develop and advance its strategic plan and goals. He is also former leader and member of the firm's Government Practice Group.

Outside of work, Bob is an active member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He also is a member of the Chicago Inn of Court and the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws. He serves on the Advisory Committee for the Illinois Restaurant Association and previously held a long-standing position on the Board of Governors for Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

Bob entered public service as an assistant to former U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon in both the Senator's Chicago and Washington, D.C. offices. He subsequently worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Representative Charles Hatcher, focusing on the Congressman's domestic legislative positions.

Professional Affiliations

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Board of Governors, 2018 – 2024
  • Chicago Inn of Court
  • The Economic Club of Chicago
  • Illinois Restaurant Association, Advisory Council
  • Council on Governmental Ethics Laws

Honors & Awards

  • Recipient of the 2014 Jury Verdict Reporter Award for Trial Lawyer Excellence in the category of "Outstanding Defense Verdict in a Premises Liability Case"
  • Selected by his peers and named by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine as one of the top "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch," 2003
  • Recognized as a Leading Lawyer in the categories of Governmental, Municipal, Lobbying & Administrative Law, and Commercial Litigation

Representative Matters

Throughout his career, Bob has been involved in several high-profile cases, including:

  • As lead attorney, defended the Cook County Jail's COVID mitigation policies against federal constitutional attack by the Northwestern University MacArthur Justice Center.
  • Defense of Michael J. Madigan in Federal lawsuit Gonzalez v. Madigan (2017); et al.
  • Successful prosecution of effort to prevent an unconstitutional petition for an amendment to propose an alternative method for the Illinois redistricting process in Hooker et al., Appellees, v. Illinois State Board of Elections et al. (Support Independent Maps, Appellant). 63 NE3d 824 and 407 Ill.Dec. 392 (2016)
  • Successfully defended the Cook County Sheriff's office against a constitutional class action by Northwestern University MacArthur Justice Center against Cook County Jail practices in Hudson, et al. v. Cook County Sheriff.
  • Successful trial defense of Chicago White Sox security policies in Uhler v. Chicago White Sox.
  • Successful trial defense of Chicago police officer in federal civil rights lawsuit Buchanan v. Officer Hammermeister.
  • Represented two U.S. Congressmen in a lawsuit by Illinois Republicans challenging the congressional map drawn by Illinois Democrats in Judy Biggert, et al. v. Illinois State Board of Elections, et al.
  • Lead attorney representing Cook County Sheriff in the well-known lawsuit Michael Shakman v. Democratic Party of Cook County.
  • Represented Cook County Recorder of Deeds in Michael Shakman v. Democratic Party of Cook County.
  • Defended the Cook County Sheriff as lead attorney in the wrongful death lawsuit Michael Chambers v. Sheriff Sheahan, arising from a wedding brawl at the Countryside Holiday Inn. Crain's Chicago Business identified this lawsuit as one of its most significant cases in 2007.
  • Defended the State of Illinois highway construction program for minority and disadvantaged businesses against federal constitutional attack in Northern Contracting v. IDOT.
  • Defended the Illinois State Treasurer in a constitutional class action lawsuit in Canel v. Rutherford.
  • Lead attorney representing the Chicago White Sox in a lawsuit brought by former Kansas City Royals coach Thomas Gamboa and based upon an attack by father and son spectators during a game at U.S. Cellular Field.
  • Defended the White Sox in the Illinois Appellate Court in both Mazin v. Chicago White Sox and Marianne Fricano v. Chicago White Sox, et al.
  • Lead trial attorney successfully defending White Sox ballpark security practices in Shugrue v. Chicago White Sox.
  • Trial attorney in the successful defense of the State of Illinois Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Program against constitutional attack brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Hargett v. Department of Human Services.

Publications

Hinshaw Publications

J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1995

B.A., Indiana University, 1991

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois