Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has long been recognized as one of the premier litigation defense firms in the country.  Founded in 1889, Shook has 16 locations in the United States and the United Kingdom, including offices in Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, D.C. Shook is known for its abilities and success in litigation – more than 90 per cent of its attorneys are litigators, and many have advanced degrees in the health and sciences fields. The firm has represented leading international companies in a variety of industries, including pharmaceutical and medical devices, technology, chemicals and automotive. In a five-year span, Shook lawyers have tried more than 100 first chair trials in state and federal courts, successfully defending clients against claims involving product liability, environmental and toxic tort, patent infringement, labor and employment and other claims. Shook has represented the industry’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers for more than 40 years.  The firm has also represented U.S. cigarette manufacturers in product liability litigation continuously since 1957. In recent years, the firm has leveraged its complex product liability litigation experience to build substantial national practices in intellectual property, environmental and toxic tort litigation, data security and privacy, employment litigation, commercial litigation, regulatory counseling and public policy. While product liability remains a core strength and a growth area for the firm, practice diversification has allowed Shook to offer a variety of innovative solutions to regulatory and compliance challenges as well. Shook’s success has captured the attention of many in the industry. Who’s Who Legal – The International Who’s Who of Business has named Shook Product Liability. Defense Firm of the Year for 16 consecutive years. In 2020, BTI Consulting named Shook a “Product Liability Powerhouse,” one of only two firms in the U.S. to receive this ranking. Law360 has twice named Shook in its Product Liability Groups of the Year, and The American Lawyer has twice recognized the firm for its Product Liability Litigation Department of the Year award. Shook was recognized as one of the top 30 law firms in the country for excellence in client service by BTI Consulting Group, making the BTI Client Service A-Team 2021. The recognition is based on an annual client service survey with 350 general counsel and other in-house legal officials and includes hundreds of law firms working with U.S. clients with at least $1 billion in annual revenue.

Why did you decide to become a NBA-CLS sponsor?

Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. is committed to diversity and values the work of the National Bar Association.

Additional Information

Shook stands out for its commitment to diversity in the workplace and its inclusive culture. The firm is led by chair Madeleine McDonough, who is on the board of directors for the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession.  Shook is repeatedly recognized for its diversity efforts. For the 14th consecutive year, Shook earned a 100 percent score on the Corporate Equality Index, the highest rating for LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. Missouri Lawyers Media recognized Shook in its 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Awards for the firm’s work supporting and advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives. When Law360 released its 2020 Diversity Snapshot, which examines the current state of minority representation in the legal industry, Shook ranked in the Top 30 for the number of minority attorneys and seventh in minority partner promotions among law firms with 251-600 lawyers. Shook’s many diversity initiatives include the Shook Scholars Institute, a three-day intensive diversity fellowship program designed to give law students a chance to learn from litigation powerhouse attorneys in interactive small group settings. Shook’s newest diversity initiative, The Honorable Jon Gray Lawyers Leadership Academy, aims to enhance the long-term advancement and retention of minority lawyers through an 18-month leadership development program including mentoring, skill-building and client-facing opportunities. Shook partners with many different organizations to support the advancement of minorities in the legal profession, including the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Equal Justice, and state, local and minority bar associations.