Russell Shankland

Russell J. Shankland has successfully litigated a robust range of complex commercial and tort claims in federal and state court; for example, he served on the trial team that achieved Missouri Lawyers Weekly’sLargest Defense Verdict of 2012.

In April 2013, he second-chaired a five-week jury trial in federal court, and in April 2015, he argued an appeal before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Beyond his courtroom experience, Russell brings valuable know-how related to eDiscovery; records collection, review and production; and navigating discovery disputes. He has managed large review teams and oversees voluminous technology-aided reviews.

Pro bono work plays an important role in Russell’s practice. He has represented adult defendants in federal and state criminal proceedings and children in juvenile proceedings. He has also worked on a civil rights claim based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Before joining Shook, Russell served as a Peace Corps volunteer in a rural Romanian village. He taught English at a local school, worked with a small NGO and produced educational English programming for Romanian television.

Education:

• J.D., cum laude, Northwestern University School of Law, 2010
  • Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, Coordinating Comment Editor
  • Lowden-Wigmore Prize for Legal Scholarship (best student-written comment)
  • Federal Appellate Clinic Participant
  • Argued criminal appeal before Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
• Bachelor of Journalism, summa cum laude, University of Missouri, 2004

Bar Admissions:

• Missouri
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Community Involvement:

• Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout
• U.S. Peace Corps, Romania (2005-2007)