Russell J. Shankland

Russell is an accomplished trial lawyer with a proven track record in large complex commercial and tort litigation across federal and state courts. From fine art and emerging technologies, to sophisticated business and fiduciary disputes, Russell demonstrates a remarkable ability to master nuanced legal and factual issues, navigating them in cogent, credible and convincing ways for juries.
  
Alongside two other Shook partners, Russell successfully tried a high-stakes, 21-week art law trial that garnered attention from the media and legal community. Other courtroom achievements include his trial team achieving Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s Largest Defense Verdict of the Year, second-chairing a five-week jury trial in federal court, and arguing an appeal before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.
 
Beyond the courtroom, Russell brings valuable eDiscovery knowledge and experience. He is adept at the complexities of records collection, review, production, and discovery disputes. His management of large review teams and oversight of technology-aided reviews marshals evidence to defend clients and support their affirmative claims. He also chairs the firm’s Financial Services Group. 

Russell sits on Shook’s Pro Bono Committee and on the Legal Services Corporation’s Emerging Leaders Council, which reflect his commitment to justice, equity and community service. Russell’s pro bono work represents adult defendants in federal and state criminal proceedings and children in juvenile proceedings. He brought suit then helped negotiate a settlement with the state of Kansas that required the state to treat every Medicaid recipient suffering from hepatitis C with curative, lifesaving treatment. He has also worked on immigration visa and asylum cases and a civil rights claim based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

Russell participates in Shook’s Associates Committee and Mentoring Task Force and serves on the board of directors for Kansas City’s Economic Development Corporation. 

Before embarking on his legal career, Russell served as a Peace Corps volunteer in a rural Romanian village where he taught English at a local school, worked with a small NGO, and produced educational English programming for Romanian television.