Shannon M. McNulty

Top rated Class Action & Mass Torts attorney in Chicago, Illinois

Clifford Law Offices
Shannon M. McNulty
Clifford Law Offices

Practice Areas: Class Action & Mass Torts, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice; view more

Licensed in Illinois since: 2004

Education: DePaul University College of Law

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2025 Selected to Rising Stars: 2009 - 2014

Clifford Law Offices

120 North LaSalle Street
36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602 Visit website

Details

Shannon McNulty is a partner at Clifford Law Offices, leading the firm’s fraud, mass torts, whistleblower/qui tam matters and class actions. Shannon focuses her practice on complex litigation involving concealment, conspiracy, contract disputes, employment disputes, sexual harassment, environmental issues and anti-trust claims. Admitted to practice in 2004, she previously worked ten years at the Chicago Police Department, including as chief of staff for the first deputy superintendent. Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department, Shannon conducted in-depth research concerning homicides in Chicago. Using her data analysis, Shannon was part of a team that developed strategies for identifying patterns of vulnerability and risk, with corresponding solutions. She has significant experience in evaluating and litigating allegations of risk, fraud and concealment, including instances in which the government is defrauded. She frequently incorporates data-driven evidence in the work-up of her cases.

Ms. McNulty values inclusiveness and has a reputation for creating opportunities for counsel with varying backgrounds to work together on cases. Consistent with the firm’s values, Shannon is known for her collaborative leadership in cases, and she is routinely sought by counsel all over the country to join the work-up and trial of contested litigation in Chicago and elsewhere. Shannon is known for her role in cases that demand the relentless rigor, commitment and resources for which Clifford Law Offices is known. Her practice is varied, and she has successfully litigated cases against defendants located in China, Japan, Germany, Mexico and Canada. She is known for devising creative solutions in resolving complex case matters. Typically, Ms. McNulty’s cases involve subjects or parties that necessitate strict confidentiality. Clients and co-counsel equally value Shannon’s skilled risk assessment and sensible judgment in handling sensitive matters.

Most recently, Shannon was a co-lead counsel of the trial team in the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy proceedings that presented evidence during a six-day trial involving 41 witnesses resulting in a $250,000,000 settlement on behalf of acute care hospitals. She was also instrumental in the negotiation and implementation of an acute care hospital trust that is expected to disburse approximately $45,000,000 in relief to hospitals fighting the opioid epidemic. Shannon served as liaison counsel in the data privacy suit against TikTok which resolved for $95,000,000. She recently resolved $3,000,000 for a whistleblower case involving allegations of product incentivization by a pharmaceutical company. She has also recently had a confidential multi-million dollar settlement against a Fortune 500 manufacturer concerning various allegations of breach of contract, fraud and concealment.

Ms. McNulty also maintains a practice for those seriously injured, with most recently having settled cases involving the fatal stabbing of a student at school ($2.9 million); a failure to supervise and monitor a tender-aged resident of a group home ($2.25 million); the sexual abuse of a group home resident ($3.5 million); a wrongfully prescribed dosage of insulin that resulted in a brain injury ($18 million); a failure to timely diagnose an aortic dissection ($6.5 million); a failure to warn of a defect in implanted medical device ($3.5 million). She represents professionals in their partnership and contract disputes, successfully resolving several matters with confidentiality.

Her professional achievements are consistently recognized by her peers. In September 2021, she was presented with an Award for Excellence in Public Interest Service by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Federal Bar Association. In 2018, she was blind-nominated and elected as a member of the International Society of Barristers which recognizes attorneys who promote civility in the profession. She has been appointed to the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers Top 50 Women List and the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers Top 100 List. In 2023, she was one of four partners at Clifford Law Offices acknowledged in Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Chicago. Clifford Law Offices was also ranked in the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list nationally in Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions. Shannon was recognized in Notable Women in Law in 2022 by Crain’s Chicago Business. Shannon also received Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Women in Law award in its inaugural year, 2020. She was recognized on the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers List. Moreover, Ms. McNulty has been recognized as a Best Lawyers® in America, 2015 – 2024; a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer Women in Law Honoree, 2020; a Leading Lawyer, from Law Bulletin Media, 2018 – Present; appointed to the Illinois Super Lawyers list, 2016 – Present; a Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, Crain’s Custom Media, 2017-present; an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2009 – 2014; and, Chicago Law Bulletin’s Forty Under 40, 2007.

Shannon attended night law school at DePaul while working full-time at the police department. Shannon’s determination resulted in her completing law school one year ahead of schedule. She was recognized as an outstanding student in trial advocacy and contracts, having received the CALI Award for excellence in both of these fields. She holds a Masters of Science from the School of Management of Public Services at DePaul University (1997), which bestowed upon her the American Society of Public Administrators’ Student of the Year Award. She graduated cum laude from Loyola University in Chicago (1992).

Shannon gives back to the community. She has worked in the Albany Park neighborhood on crime prevention efforts, which resulted in her being recognized for outstanding service by the U.N.I.T.E. civic organization, and she has also devised and implemented several successful fundraising efforts for families in Chicago’s Bronzeville community. Shannon also initiated the NYPD/CPD Memorial Foundation, raising in only two weeks nearly a half-million dollars for the immediate benefit of families of New York Police Officers who died in the 9/11 attacks. She has served six years as an officer of her school board, and recently led an effort with the fifth-grade class to make blankets and stuff care packages with necessities for delivery by the children to the veteran-residents of the Manteno V.A. Home. Shannon was also a member of the Northern District of Illinois 200th Anniversary Committee, which culminated with a bicentennial celebration of federal courts in Illinois.

Practice areas

Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Transportation/Maritime

Focus areas

Wrongful Death

  • 50% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
  • 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
  • 10% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
  • 10% Transportation/Maritime

First Admitted: 2004, Illinois

Professional Webpage: https://www.cliffordlaw.com/attorneys/shannon-m-mcnulty/

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Judicial Evaluation Committee, Investigator (2011 - Present), 2024
  • Illinois (2004-Present), 2024
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ) (2004-Present), 2024
  • Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) (2004-Present), 2024
  • Chicago Bar Association (CBA) (2004-Present), 2024
  • Illinois Trial Lawyer's Association (ITLA) (2004-Present), 2024
  • Supreme Court Committee for Rules of Evidence, Appointed (2008 - Present), 2024
  • International Society of Barristers, 2019
  • Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Evidence, 2010
  • Vice-chair, CBA, Professional Development Committee on Ethics, 2007
  • Professional Ethics Committee, Co-Vice Chair (2006 - 2007), 2007
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation and Member of the ABA Annual Meeting Advisory Committee
  • Attorney's Information Exchange Group
  • Fellow of the American Bar Foundation 
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Shannon McNulty, along with partner Jim Pullos, obtained a $3.5 million settlements on behalf of plaintiffs who alleged sexual abuse on behalf of a resident at an assisted living facility. , 2020
  • Shannon McNulty obtained a $34.75 million settlement on behalf of plaintiffs who purchased Proline Casement windows which were defectively designed, leading to premature rotting of the windows. Allegedly, defendant concealed the flawed condition of the windows from the consumers for decades. , 2019
  • Shannon McNulty, along with founder and senior partner Bob Clifford, obtained a $16.5 million settlement on behalf of a 69-year-old former coach and high school teacher, erroneously prescribed an incorrect dosage of long-acting insulin following a heart transplant, suffered hypoglycemia-induced encephalopathy and cognitive diminishment requiring life-long care. , 2016
  • Shannon McNulty, along with founder and senior partner Bob Clifford, obtained a $6.5 million settlement for the wrongful death of a 35-year-old husband and father after a failure to timely diagnose an aortic dissection, failure to administer a CT scan, and a failure to observe and follow up on abnormal findings present on a chest x-ray that was administered in the emergency room. , 2016
  • Shannon McNulty obtained a $2.9 million settlement for a wrongful death case of a student that was fatally stabbed by another student. , 2015
  • Shannon McNulty obtained a $2 million settlement on behalf of a man who suffered fatal carbon monoxide poisoning while abrasive blasting. , 2011
  • Shannon McNulty, along with partner Rich Burke, obtained a confidential settlement for a father of two was killed after a sliding door to a minivan improperly opened during an accident that involved the vehicle rolling over. , 2010
  • Shannon McNulty, along with partner Rich burke, obtained a $2 million on behalf of a young mother who was in labor for 25 hours with prolonged periods during which her baby was deprived of sufficient oxygen and suffered from poor fetal tones. Her son was born with cerebral palsy and died two years later from a seizure disorder. , 2009
  • Shannon McNulty, along with partner Rich Burke, obtained a $1 million settlement on behalf of a 74-year-old grandmother and passenger in a car, driven by her husband, was struck and killed by a police car speeding through an intersection in a residential neighborhood. The police car was a non-emergency patrol without lights for activated sirens. , 2005
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Saint Jude School Board (2018-Present), 2024
  • Saint Jude Parent Teacher Organization (2019-Present), 2023
  • Advisory Board Member, Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (2007 - 2012), 2012
  • Provides pro bono assistance in probate matters for the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services., 2007
  • Initiated and coordinated the Chicago Police Officers’ NYPD Memorial Fund, for the children of NYPD officers’ killed on September 11, 2001, 2001
  • South Suburban Mayors’ Association, Volunteer
  • Volunteers at Saint Michael’s House
Honors/Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America (2015-Present), Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers, 2025
  • Shannon McNulty has been named to the Best Lawyers® 2024 Women in the Law list and are featured in the ninth annual Best Lawyers Women in the Law Business Edition., Woman in Law list, Best Lawyers, 2024
  • Top 50 Top Women Lawyers, Super Lawyers (2023-Present), Top 50, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Named to the “2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” list; (2023-Present), 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024
  • Super Lawyers (2016-Present), Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Super Lawyers, Top 100: Illinois Super Lawyers List, 2023-2024, Top 100, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Shannon McNulty was named Best Lawyers "Lawyer of the Year" in the Chicago area for Product Liability- Plaintiffs, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2023
  • Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin Media (2018 – Present), Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin Media, 2022
  • Leading Lawyers (2018-Present), Leading Lawyer, Leading Lawyers, 2022
  • Notable Women in Law, Crain's Chicago Business, 2020
  • Chicago Daily Law Bulletin & Chicago Lawyer Women in Law Honoree, Chicago Lawyer Women in Law Honoree, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, 2020
  • Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, Crain's Custom Media, 2017
  • Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, Crain's Custom Media, 2017, Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago, Crain's Custom Media, 2017
  • 40 Under 40, Law Bulletin Media, 2015
  • Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2009-2014), Rising Stars, Super Lawyers, 2014
  • Chicago Law Bulletin's Forty Under 40, 2007, Forty Under 40, Daily Law Bulletin, 2007
  • Awarded by U.N.I.T.E. Civic Organization (Albany Park) for Outstanding Service
  • Awarded American Society of Public Administrators’ Student of the Year
Educational Background:
  • University of Virginia, Trial Advocacy Institute – January, 2008
  • Northwestern University, Summer Institute in Negotiation – June, 2006
  • DePaul University, M.S., Honors: With Distinction, Honors: American Society of Public Administrators, Student Of The Year, 1997
  • Loyola University, B.S., cum laude, Major: Criminal Justice
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • Susan A. Capra, Shannon M. McNulty, and Sarah F. King, sat down with Better to share their thoughts on what it takes to be an effective leader at work and in the community., Co-Author, Great Leadership Starts With Basic Skills — Award-Winning Personal Injury Lawyers Share How to Lead in Business, Life, Better, 2021
  • Participants spoke of the numerous national and international data breached and the cyber risk to consumers. , Panelist, "Facing the Ransonware Menace: Cyber Blackmail Conference", 2017
  • Shannon McNulty spoke on "Class Actions" at the annual Complex Litigation and Civil Liberty for Non-Traditional Torts Seminar in Chicago sponsored by the ITLA. , Speaker, "Class Actions", Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2017
  • Shannon McNulty was invited to participate in the ITLA Professionalism Seminar. , Speaker, "Ethics of Witness Preparation", Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
  • Privatization of Public Services in the South Suburbs, DePaul University Press, May 1997, Privatization of Public Services in the South Suburbs, DePaul University Press, 1997
  • Comprehensive Examination of the Illinois Criminal History Records Information System, ICJIA, August 1995 [contributing author], contributing author, Comprehensive Examination of the Illinois Criminal History Records Information System, ICJIA, 1995
  • 1993-4 Criminal History Records Audit: Illinois' CCH System Overview. ICJIA, August 1994, Criminal History Records Audit: Illinois' CCH System Overview, ICJIA, 1994
  • 1993-4 Criminal History Records Audit Methodology. ICJIA, December 1993, Criminal History Records Audit Methodology, ICJIA, 1993
  • Detention in the juvenile justice system. ICJIA Compiler, Summer 1993, Detention in the juvenile justice system, ICJIA Compiler, 1993
Other Outstanding Achievements:
  • The Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal bar Association presented Robert A. Clifford and Shannon M. McNulty with one of it's 21st Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service. , 2021

Office location for Shannon M. McNulty

120 North LaSalle Street
36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: 312-815-7022

Selections

10 Years Super Lawyers
6 Years Rising Stars
  • Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2025
  • Rising Stars: 2009 - 2014

Top Lists

Top 100: Illinois Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025 Top 50: Women Illinois Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2025

Certificates and credentials

Attorney resources for Shannon M. McNulty

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