MLM Selects McDonough Among 2026 Top Managing Partners

For the second consecutive year, Missouri Lawyers Media (MLM) named Shook Chair Madeleine McDonough among its 2026 Top Managing Partners. The Top Managing Partners is a special feature showcasing some of the “best-known and hardest working managing partners” of law firms in Missouri.

McDonough was elected chair of Shook in 2017 and was re-elected for another five-year term in 2022. Under her leadership, the firm has expanded its national platform to 18 offices, which has allowed Shook to excel as a leader in trial and complex litigation while growing to nearly 600 lawyers. As reported by The American Lawyer, the firm’s revenue surged 28.4 percent to nearly $643.4 million in 2025, “while average profits per partner soared 57.4 percent to about $2.32 million.” 

Over the course of McDonough’s tenure, the firm’s 5-year compound annual growth rate has exceeded 12 percent for revenue and 22.2 percent for PPEP. Her dedication to pro bono services has also helped increase Shook’s total pro bono hours by more than 30 percent and nearly tripled the number of lawyers who contribute more than 20 hours per year.

Combined with McDonough’s commitment to excellence in strategic legal services, deep collaboration across teams and a sharp focus on providing superior client service, this growth has bolstered the firm’s depth in the areas of health, science and technology.