Overview

Shannon represents school districts, intermediate units, and independent schools in a wide range of education law matters, with a practice that centers on special education and other student-related issues, such as gifted education, discipline, and civil rights issues.

She has experience guiding schools through Title IX issues and matters involving sex-based harassment and LGBTQ+ students, such as access to bathrooms and locker rooms, sports teams, and accommodations in schools.

She regularly advises clients on special education programming for students with disabilities and compliance with the IDEA and Section 504. Shannon provides guidance to clients before litigation and regularly represents clients in due-process hearings and appeals involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Pennsylvania School Code, and Title IX. In addition, she provides in-house training on these issues as well as Title IX and related federal and state compliance requirements.

Before joining the firm, Shannon practiced education law with several Pennsylvania and national firms, representing schools and intermediate units in Title IX and special needs accommodation matters, as well as professional liability matters.

  • Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D., cum laude
  • Pennsylvania State University, Schreyer Honors College, B.A., international politics and comparative literature
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2021-2025
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2021
  • Montgomery County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Best Buddies Pennsylvania, Board of Directors, 2011-2013
  • Changing Landscape of Title IX and PHRC Regulations, 2023 Exceptional Children’s Conference, PBI, 2023
  • Legal Update on LGBTQ+ Challenges Facing Independent Schools, Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, 2003 (with Steven K. Ludwig)
  • Comprehensive Review of Notice Requirements in IDEA, 2017 Exceptional Children’s Conference, PBI, 2017
  • Introduction to Special Education Law, 2016 Exceptional Children’s Conference, PBI, 2016
  • Special Education Law, Gender, and Sexuality Matters, Lehigh University Special Education Conference, 2016

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