Shonn Brown is a respected bar and community leader. She has represented business clients in a wide range of litigation matters, including breach of contract, employment, fraud, board governance, breach of fiduciary duty and personal injury. Her industry experience is varied and includes telecommunications, software, private equity, banking and financial services, construction, energy and education. Shonn has significant courtroom experience including trying employment, contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and other business cases on both sides of the docket. In addition to her civil trial experience, Shonn has experience in the criminal courts through her service as a Lawyer on Loan to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, where she tried several cases to verdict before the jury.
Shonn was recognized by her peers as a “Super Lawyer” and as one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine in 2013 and 2014. She has been previously recognized among the “Best Lawyers” under 40 by D Magazine and a “Rising Star” by her peers in 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Representative Experience
Commercial Litigation
Obtained $1.4 million jury verdict on behalf of legacy company in Dallas against International corporation.
Successful defense of $19 billion hedge fund and 2 of its partners in 4-week jury trial over alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and contracts.
Obtained million dollar jury verdict on behalf of injured child at local school district against public school in 2-week federal jury trial.
Defended private school in high profile 8-week jury trial.
Successfully defended against purported nationwide class certification in Travis County District Court.
Arbitrated construction claims resulting in favorable award for Claimant in design-build dispute against architect and designer.
Tried and received favorable judgment in real estate dispute for major financial institution.
Represented national financial services institutions in various unfair debt collection, wrongful foreclosure and other disputes.
Provided general counsel and advice to insurance broker in multi-level sales and marketing company.
Obtained injunctive relief against processing company for restaurant management company.
Represented university in various litigation matters.
Represented private university and independent parochial school in various litigation matters.
Defended celebrity muscle car designer in complex business litigation dispute.
Represented leading independent sales company in complex matter involving board governance.
Defended single purpose entity and individuals in major property dispute.
Represented sales company in substantial personal injury dispute involving the State of Texas and large trucking companies.
Represented major manufacturing company in products liability action.
Employment Litigation
Obtained take nothing defense verdict for large international company in federal jury trial in FMLA retaliation case.
Tried and obtained JNOV for automobile company and affiliated companies in employment-related dispute.
Obtained injunctive relief against former employees of software development company.
Frequently handles numerous employment disputes including misappropriation of trade secrets, covenants not to compete and other general employment claims.
Intellectual Property Litigation
Obtained favorable outcome for international athletic company in trademark dispute.
Represented medical equipment manufacturing company as plaintiff in software action in both litigation and arbitration.
Represent independent sales company in prosecuting trademark violation.
Energy Litigation
Defended leading Energy company in wrongful death and personal injury matters.
Professional / Civic Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
Dallas Bar Association
Director, 2013-2014
Co-Chair, 2014 Equal Access to Justice Campaign
(raised over $915,000 for pro bono legal services)
Secretary-Treasurer, 2012
Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court
JL Turner Legal Association Foundation, Director, 2001-2004
JL Turner Legal Association
Vice President, 2002
Recording Secretary, 2000
Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
Co-Chair, Lawyers Promoting Diversity Committee, 2005
Civic Affiliations
Dallas Museum of Art, Board of Trustees
Dallas Women's Foundation, Board of Directors
Big Thought, Director
Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Director, 2003 – present
The Lamplighter School, Board of Trustees
Bryan’s House, Director, 2010 – 2013
Dallas Museum of Art, Junior Associates
Chair, An Affair of the Art Gala, 2012
Co-Chair, Membership Committee, 2008—2009
Steering Committee, 2006—2012
Leadership Dallas Class of 2003
Junior League of Dallas, member since 2001
Honors & Awards
Multicultural Leadership Award, Texas Diversity Council
Selected as Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Magazine (2013)
Selected as a Texas Rising Star in the Texas SuperLawyer editions of Texas Monthly Magazine (2005, 2008-2013)
Selected as one of the "Best Lawyers in Dallas under 40", published in D Magazine, 2006
Selected as a "Best Lawyer in Dallas" in the area of Business Litigation by D Magazine, 2013-2014
Recognized as a History Maker by Black Alumni of Southern Methodist University
