Shannon L. Clark
Shareholder

(602) 530-8194slc@gknet.com

As co-chair of the firm’s Plaintiff’s Personal Injury & Wrongful Death group, Shannon has long experience trying, litigating, and resolving cases involving motor vehicle crashes, aviation disasters, commercial trucking wrecks, product liability, and professional negligence.

Shannon L. Clark

Plaintiff’s Personal Injury

Shannon is a tireless advocate for victims of negligent and wrongful conduct throughout Arizona and in California, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming.

He has handled virtually all varieties of personal injury cases, including product liability, motor vehicle accidents, dram shop actions, premises liability, elder abuse, medical malpractice, commercial trucking, sexual assault, medical device, pharmaceutical, and insurance bad faith.

Throughout his 24-year career, Shannon’s efforts have extended beyond the intricacies of any given lawsuit to champion consumer safety issues for greater social impact. His passion for justice and dedication to defending injured or wronged individuals has helped force manufacturers to recall or modify the design of dangerous products and garnered over $300,000,000 in jury verdicts, arbitration awards, mediation results, and negotiated settlements.

For example, Shannon has helped achieve voluntary recalls of five different defective products by automotive and other product manufacturers through tireless litigation and interaction with governmental agencies and investigative journalists. Further, he also achieved settlements that caused government agencies to revise safety protocols and training equipment for first responders through litigation efforts and creative negotiation.

With the fortitude, experience, resources, and “fire in the belly” required to take on major manufacturers and institutional defendants, Shannon is ultra-sensitive to the human element of each case he handles. This personal aspect of his practice makes Shannon broadly effective in understanding and resolving the challenges his clients face.

Beyond obtaining compensation for devastating injuries and personal tragedy, Shannon supports clients through the many non-legal details of putting their lives back together and moving forward.

Read more about Shannon’s experience and successes representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases on our personal injury website.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Shannon also has significant experience on the other side of the ‘v.’  He began his career handling a sizeable volume of insurance defense work and representing self-insured entities including major retail stores and mining operations.  Shannon is well-versed on both sides of insurance issues and has served as personal counsel for individuals and corporations helping them secure protection and resolution of claims made against them.

Shannon sees mediation and ADR as a better way of resolving cases and offers his service as a neutral because he derives great satisfaction from helping others resolve cases outside a courtroom.  He charges a flat fee of $3,000 per day for service as a neutral mediator or arbitrator. The fee includes mediation services, extensive mediation preparation, a pre-mediation call with counsel for the parties, and any necessary follow-up work.

Leadership

In addition to co-chairing G&K’s robust PI team, Shannon also serves on the firm’s Board of Directors, lateral recruiting committee, associate’s committee, and compensation committee.

Outside of the firm, Shannon is actively involved in ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth, a youth development program in Chandler, Arizona. He currently serves on ICAN’s Board of Directors and its Fund Development Committee.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES

  • Plaintiffs’ Leadership Committee and trial team member for mass tort claims against Bard for defective IVC filters.
  • Helped defrauded family resolve settlement fraud claims relating to defective truck tire.
  • Helped secure important Arizona Supreme Court ruling that Arizona hospitals can be subject to liability for abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.
  • Successfully resolved case for victims of failed (and later recalled) telescoping aerial ladder unit on fire engine.
  • Helped secure compensation from and government investigation of a major automobile manufacturer that failed to recall a dangerous stuck throttle defect on a popular SUV.
  • Resolved legal and accounting malpractice claims against major accounting firm on behalf of heirs to high profile businessman and entrepreneur.
  • Successfully represented dozens of tread separation and/or rollover accident victims in product liability cases against Ford Motor Company, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Bridgestone Corporation, Dunlop Tire Company, Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, Kuhmo Tire Company, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Michelin North America, Yokohama, Sailun, Falken, and most tire manufacturers.
  • Member of team representing victims of fuel-fed fires caused by rear-impact collisions in Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors; helped cause Ford to spend $350,000,000 to improve safety of police vehicles.
  • After a two-month trial, recovered record settlement for victims of elder abuse at a nursing home.
  • Member of trial team for victims of Mexican Hat, Utah ski bus accident.
  • Represented family of man who died in Sedona Sweat Lodge tragedy.
  • $10,000,000 settlement for pedestrian hit by police vehicle.
  • $9,999,000 settlement for wrongful death of teenager killed by unwanted acceleration of her vehicle.
  • $2,800,000 settlement for the family of a retired military general who died as a result of hospital staff negligence.
  • $2,750,000 settlement for negligence for a bike path accident.
  • $2,700,000 settlement for the family of a mother who died following childbirth as a result of physician malpractice.
  • $2,500,000 settlement for the wrongful death of an incarcerated inmate allowed to develop a fatal infection.
  • $1,825,000 settlement in a medical malpractice case for negligent care post-surgery resulting in vision loss in one eye.
  • $1,650,000 settlement for passengers injured in a motor vehicle collision.
  • $1,600,000 settlement for a pedestrian who was severely injured after being struck and dragged by a truck while crossing a parking lot.
  • $1,225,000 settlement for parents of teen killed in intersection accident.
  • $1,000,000 settlement for a woman who sustained serious injuries in a rooftop fall due to concealed construction defect.
  • Represented child pedestrian catastrophically impaired by inattentive police officer.
  • Confidential settlement for man paralyzed using unstable golf cart.
  • Confidential settlements against auto manufacturers for defects causing seatback failure, unwanted acceleration, rollovers, airbag failures, and seatbelt malfunction.

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • Lawyers Associated Worldwide, Firm Representative
  • State Bar of Arizona, Member
  • The American Association for Justice, Member
  • Arizona Association for Justice, Member and Board of Directors, 2020-Present
  • The National Trial Lawyers Association, Member
  • Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, Member, 2021-Present
  • State Bar of Arizona, College of Trial Advocacy, Faculty Member, 2022
  • 100 Club of Arizona, Member
  • Trial Law Institute, Member
  • Diversity Law Institute, Member
  • Arizona's Finest Lawyers, Sustaining Member, 2013-Present
  • International Society of Barristers, North American Fellow
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, Order of Veritas

HONORS & AWARDS

  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Appellate Practice, 2016-2025; Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2012-2025; Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2020-2025; Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, 2020-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Products Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs, 2022, 2024
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, 2014-2024
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Arizona, 2016, 2022-2024
  • Southwest Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, 2012-2013
  • Arizona Business Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2022-2024
  • Forbes.com, Best Car Accident Lawyers Phoenix, AZ, 2024
  • Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, Personal Injury, 2023-2024; Product Liability, 2024
  • ICAN Heroes Award, 2022
  • The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2012-2017
  • The National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, 2012-2013
  • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education (AFLSE), Top Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, 2018
  • Phoenix Business Journal, 40 Under 40, 2013
  • Gold Key National Honor Societies, Cornell University, 1996
  • Cornell National Scholarship, Cornell University, 1996

COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY

  • Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Directors, 2005-2011, 2013-2020; Chairman, 2010-2011
  • Valley of the Sun United Way, Bench and Bar Donor Circle Founding Member
  • 100 Club of Arizona, Board of Directors, 2015-2017
  • ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth, Fund Development Committee Member, 2018-Present; Board of Directors, 2020-Present
  • Cayley Manor Homeowners Association Board of Directors, 2008-2011; President, 2009-2011

News

Read More

Publications

  • The Evolution of Products Liability, A Historical Accounting, Arizona Tort Law Handbook (Co-Author), 2012
  • Wrongful Death, Arizona Tort Law Handbook (Co-Author), 2012
  • E-Sign of the Times, Newsletter, February, 2001

Events

  • APA Seminar, Managing Success Through the Art of Preparation and Presentation, 2012
  • NALA Seminar, Demonstrative Evidence – How to Do It Right, 2011
  • State Bar Association, Motor Vehicle Accident Cases:  Winning Presentation with the Use of Expert Witnesses and Graphic Illustrations, 2011
  • NBI Plaintiff Personal Injury Seminar, Personal Injury Damages, 2006
  • State Bar of Arizona, CLE in The Red Rocks, An Advanced Personal Injury Conference, Product Liability Update; Use of Videos, Infographics and Technology in Mediation and Trial

LANGUAGES

Spanish

OTHER

Judicial Clerkship
Judicial Clerk, Honorable Mary M. Schroeder, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1999-2000

Academic Appointments
Phoenix School of Law, Phoenix, AZ, Adjunct Professor, 2012-2013
Arizona Summit Law School, Phoenix, AZ, Adjunct Professor, 2013-2015

Study Abroad
Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain, 1994-1995

C.S review icon
C.S
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Robert Boatman and Shannon Clark were extremely professional, thorough, and compassionate representing us in a very sensitive personal injury claim. The availability, expertise, and diligence that they and their team represented in our case returned results that exceeded our expectations while being sensitive to our experience. We are greatly appreciative.
Vicki James review icon
Vicki James
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer were great. They represented me in a malpractice lawsuit, and they were very professional and prepared. They kept me abreast of any new developments. We were able to settle out of court with great negotiation skills. I would highly recommend Shannon and Eleanor to anyone! Best decision you could make!
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Beverly Berg
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
I was very happy with Shannon Clark’s representation. He was professional, personable and knowledgeable, and I was very happy with the outcome. He even found an additional insurance policy we did not know even existed. I think anyone who is looking for a good personal injury lawyer would be well-served by choosing him.
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Matt Bard
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
After sustaining injuries in a bicycle-auto crash, I was having immense difficulties in getting the at-fault insurance company to respond or take action. A friend recommended Shannon as a reliable lawyer, so I reached out. Shannon Clark and Maria Raciti stepped in and took fantastic care of me throughout the case. They were competent, honest, timely, and pleasant. Ethical, competent people are hard to find; Shannon and Maria impressed me on both accounts. I most certainly recommend them.
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Blanca Ruiz
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
If you are looking for knowledgeable attorneys, seek Gallagher & Kennedy Law Firm. Shannon Clark and Eleanor J. Shaffer have provided legal representation in my mother’s case. While the personal injury case was quite lengthy, the entire team has been extremely supportive. During the mediation, Shannon advocated for my mother in which the case was able to be resolved outside of court.
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Mother & Family of Robert
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
My son was hit by an SUV while walking on the shoulder of a road; he suffered from multiple serious injuries while also sustaining horrific brain trauma. As his mother, I could only hope and pray that he would survive this disturbing event. ... This uncertainty was so great, that I had decided to speak to a legal counsel. By the grace of God, I had thankfully found the most compassionate and intelligent legal team available to me. ... Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer were my angels straight from Heaven, blessing me with the promise of legal stability and representation that I had longed for since the incident. ...
Alyssa Partida review icon
Alyssa Partida
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Shannon [Clark] is an amazing attorney to work with. He is very patient and understanding, as well as very thorough with any explanation process or questions I may have. I appreciate his genuine care as his client and the care he takes in his work!
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Wade Thornock
Best Lawyers Client Comment
We didn’t know Shannon [Clark] or Bill [King] before we were referred to them by a family friend shortly after our serious auto accident. Shannon and Bill were patient in explaining our options and making sure we knew important details before making key choices. They were extremely professional and knowledgeable through every step of the process. We really felt like we had experts and advocates on our side. They got us a great result.
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Rachel Irvine
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
I wholeheartedly recommend Gallagher & Kennedy. I had the privilege of working with Shannon Clark and was impressed by his professionalism, kindness, honesty and integrity. I can't recommend him highly enough.
Kathryn Watterson review icon
Kathryn Watterson
Catastrophic Personal Injury Client
Shannon Clark is an exceptional attorney-definitely one of the best you can find. His whole team is amazing. I especially want to also praise Ashley Fitzgibbons for her dedication to my cause. Shannon’s ability to understand the depth of an intricate and specific healthcare issue and identify the legal recourse was awesome to witness. His experience is obvious in every interaction. ... I was referred to Shannon as “the best” in the business for my situation by another top AZ attorney. I am so grateful to Shannon for taking my case and for helping me get through a terrible situation.