Shamus P. O'Meara
Attorney Profile
Top Rated Construction Litigation Attorney in Minneapolis, MN
Shamus O'Meara represents and guides a diverse group of clients from multinational corporations to emerging businesses, schools and educational institutions, employers, insurers, risk managers, and families. He serves as a mediator and arbitrator for construction, commercial and educational disputes and as an expert witness and consultant for school and campus safety and liability matters. Shamus also advocates for greater independence, self-determination and access to justice for people with developmental disabilities and their families. He has been recognized as a Minnesota Lawyer Attorney of the Year and in Minnesota Super Lawyers and is rated AV Preeminent by his peers for excellent legal abilities and professional ethics.
O’Meara, Leer, Wagner & Kohl, P.A. has a strong national reputation for success and handling high profile legal matters with the highest ratings for professional legal ability and faithful adherence to ethical standards, professional reliability and diligence. We are a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, committed to excellence in the practice of law, and a proud community leader providing opportunities for people with disabilities, victims of violence, and those in need of a helping hand.
About Shamus P. O'Meara
Admitted: 1991, Minnesota
Professional Webpage: https://www.olwklaw.com/attorneys/shamus-p-omeara
Honors/Awards
- Minnesota Super Lawyers (2006 - 2017), The ARC Minnesota 2012 Public Policy Award, Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (2005)
Bar/Professional Activity
- American, Minnesota and Federal Bar Associations, American Arbitration Association Construction and Commercial Arbitrator, American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association (Past Director, Founding Chair, Construction Law Committee), Minnesota Construction Association, National Council of School Attorneys (Past Director), Minnesota Council of School Attorneys, Minnesota School Boards Association Disaster Response Team, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, Minnesota School Safety Legislative Task Force, Minnesota Indoor Air Association (Founding Co-Director), River Centre Authority (Past Chair), Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities (Past Chair)
Verdicts/Settlements
- Shamus O'Meara serves as Settlement Class Counsel in an important Class Action Settlement involving widespread restraint and seclusion of several hundred Minnesotans with developmental disabilities at a Minnesota Department of Human Services facility located on the former Cambridge State Hospital campus. Approved by the Minnesota Federal Distirct Court in December 2011, the $3 million Settlement immediately prohibited the use of restraint and seclusion and other punishment techniques and established important protocols to review and improve the care and treatment of people with developmental disabilities pursuant to best practices. It also required that the state and DHS develop a statewide Olmstead plan consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. L.C. to ensure that Minnesotans with disabilities have opportunities to live in their communities consistent with their own dreams and aspirations. The Federal Court has extended its jurisdiction and appointed an Independent Court Monitor to ensure state and DHS compliance with the settlement agreement and related court orders.
Pro bono/Community Service
- Autism Society of Minnesota (Advisory Board), Minnesota Diversified Industries (Advisory Board), United States Civil Rights Commission State Advisory Committee (Past Chair), Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (Past Chair), Disability Justice (Past President), Saint Paul RiverCentre Convention & Visitors Authority (Founding Co-Chair),
Industry Groups
- Civil Litigation
- Civil Rights
- Construction
- Disabilities
- Education
- Professional Liability
- Safety
- Schools
- Security
- Special Education
Articles about Shamus P. O'Meara appearing in Super Lawyers
Additional Sources of Information About Shamus P. O'Meara
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Last Updated: 8/2/2021