Shannon E. Beamer
Much of Shannon’s experience includes taking and defending depositions of both expert and fact witnesses, including prescribing and treating physicians, and preparing expert witnesses and company employees for deposition and trial.
Shannon’s experience includes serving as California lead counsel in Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings (JCCP) related to alleged side effects from a licensed vaccine product. In that capacity, she handled status conferences, hearings, and court proceedings related to this JCCP. She managed a team of attorneys and paralegals in coordinating California discovery, drafting and filing motions, and advising the client on California practices and procedures in these cases. Additionally, Shannon took fact witness depositions—including plaintiff, family member, and healthcare provider depositions—in numerous bellwether cases.
Furthermore, Shannon acted as co-lead counsel in a U.S. District Court for the Central District of California proceeding related to alleged birth defects from a licensed pharmaceutical product. She handled all status conferences, oral argument, and other court proceedings related to this proceeding along with co-counsel. Shannon managed a team of associate attorneys and paralegals in coordinating California fact and expert discovery, drafting and filing motions, and advising the client on California procedures. Shannon took fact witness depositions, including the conservator of plaintiff. Shannon also took and defended several expert witness depositions; she also oversaw the drafting and filing of a motion for summary judgment that was granted, successfully disposing of all claims in the action.
In addition, Shannon represents companies in insurance coverage litigation, shareholder derivative litigation, breach of contract cases, and other commercial litigation matters. For example, Shannon served as lead counsel on 25 commercial and premises liability cases pending across the country on behalf of a large hospitality client. In this context, Shannon developed discovery strategy, took and defended depositions, engaged in motions practice, worked with expert witnesses, settled cases via mediation, and served as second-chair trial counsel.
Shannon also served as first-chair trial counsel to a local community church in a case dealing with issues of will interpretation. She successfully represented the local church in an evidentiary hearing, including the handling of several fact witness examinations, which resulted in a court order ruling in favor of the church.
Related Practices
Related Industries
Insights
Credentials
Education
- J.D. magna cum laude University of Baltimore School of Law 2008
- Heuisler Honor Society
- University of Baltimore Law Forum
- Editor-in-chief, 2007 – 2008
- Staff member, 2006 – 2007
- B.A. with honors Wake Forest University 2004
Bar Admissions
- California
- Maryland
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
Professional Memberships and Activities
- Member, Maryland State Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute, Drug and Medical Device Section
- Co-chair, Publications Committee, 2020 – present
- Young lawyer vice-liaison, Steering Committee, 2017 – 2018
- Member, Maryland Defense Counsel, Inc.
- Graduate, IADC Trial Academy, Stanford Law School (an intensive, week-long program designed to develop defense trial advocacy skills), 2013
Recognition
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Maryland, 2021
- Legal 500, Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2024
Community
Pro Bono
- Served as a pro bono attorney for the House of Ruth, an organization that provides representation for victims of domestic violence, in their applications for protective orders
Personal Activities
- In her free time, Shannon enjoys Pilates and spending time with her French bulldogs