Dana L. Strueby

Dana represents companies in both individual and complex litigation, including multidefendant product liability matters. Dana works in all stages of litigation, including discovery, motion practice and trial. Dana has served on numerous case teams and trial teams in the defense of personal injury and wrongful death smoking-and-health cases. Her efforts have helped her teams secure favorable verdicts in the majority of her trials.

Dana manages cases all the way from the discovery phase through trial.  During the discovery phase, she develops strategy ideas and potential themes, positioning the case for trial if necessary and working to prompt the resolution of the case prior to trial, where appropriate, through diligent fact investigation and depositions.  If a case proceeds to trial, Dana manages the trial team in preparing for all trial-related activities, including developing trial strategies, briefing legal issues, and preparing for the cross-examinations and direct examinations of trial witnesses.

Dana also assists with managing Shook’s Legal Issues Group (LIG), an interdivisional practice group of selected litigators specializing in complex legal writing and analysis. The LIG executes the legal strategy for Shook’s clients in their most complex litigations. The Group’s work begins with pre-trial strategy and motion practice; continues through trial to include trial support, appellate preservation, jury instructions and trial motions; and culminates in post-trial motion and appellate practice. Dana’s own experience includes drafting written discovery motions, motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, motions for directed verdict and motions for new trial, among other motions, as well as reviewing and providing strategic input on a variety of motions drafted by other attorneys.  

Dana is dedicated to improving her community and her profession. She devotes a portion of her practice to working for the interests of children and families through guardianship and adoption cases. Dana’s pro bono work has also taken her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, where she helped draft an appellate brief arguing for increased funding for foster parents in Missouri. In 2024, Dana was awarded the Robert C. Welch Volunteer Attorney Project Award for her commitment to pro bono services in the community in collaboration with the Legal Aid of Western Missouri.

Dana also co-chairs the firm’s Mentoring Program and previously earned Shook’s 2016 Sylvan Siegler Award for Excellence in Mentoring.