Kieran J. Shanahan, Principal
Kieran J. Shanahan is an experienced, proven Senior Counsel with the insight to develop legal strategy or provide a second opinion to ensure the advice you’ve received is on point. Kieran is a former federal prosecutor with four decades of experience successfully handling complex, high-stakes legal cases. Additionally, he is an experienced litigator with extensive trial court experience in federal and state courts throughout the country. Kieran is a Certified Mediator with substantial Alternative Dispute Resolution experience. He has earned a reputation as a tenacious litigator who is willing and able to successfully tackle complex, high-stakes cases. He has substantial non-litigation experience, including providing general business, corporate and banking advice to small and medium size companies.
Kieran's practice includes banking matters, business disputes, employment and construction matters, as well as class action, administrative, and federal white-collar defense matters. He also handles corporate compliance, professional licensing, and internal investigations for professionals and corporations under regulatory scrutiny. In 1989, he received the Directors Award from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and was recognized as one of the most outstanding federal prosecutors in the country. Kieran has been selected as one of "America's Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators®" for North Carolina, chosen as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in America by the National Trial Lawyers, is a peer selected “Best Lawyers in America” honoree, has been recognized as a North Carolina Super Lawyer, was elected to Business North Carolina Magazine’s “Legal Elite”, and has been chosen “A Leader in the Law” in North Carolina.
Business Disputes
- Business Disputes
- FINRA and ICC Arbitrations
- Government Contracts & Bid Protests
- Internal Investigations
Complex Litigation
- Appellate
- Complex Litigation
- NC Business Court
- White Collar Criminal Defense
Corporate
- Agribusiness
- Business Law
- General Business/Corporate
Georgia, 1982
North Carolina, 1986
U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Certified Mediator
University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, NC
Juris Doctor
Honors: Served on the prestigious Holderness Moot Court Bench
Law Journal: North Carolina Journal of International Law, Editor
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Bachelor of Science
Honors: Cum Laude
America's Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators® for North Carolina, 2023
Best Lawyers in America, 2013-2021
Irish Legal 100, 2016
Charlotte Magazine Top Attorneys in North Carolina, 2019
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2011-2018
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine; awarded to those who display exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities. Kieran, and his wife Tina, both received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2016.
Directors Award, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1989
Business Leader of the Year Award, Business Services Division, 2009
North Carolina Super Lawyers*, 2007-2010, 2018-2020
Lawyers Weekly Leaders in Law, 2012
Business Leader Magazine “Impact Leader” in the Legal Community, 2008
North Carolina Bar Association
Georgia Bar Association
Wake County Bar Association
The Federalist Society
Member
Secretary, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Eastern District of North Carolina, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Northern District of Georgia, Assistant U.S. Attorney
Patton Boggs, Partner
Nelson Mullins, Partner
Kieran is married to Christina (Tina) Alvarado Shanahan, a retired Rear Admiral in the US Navy (RC) and a Multiple World and National Champion equestrian. They have three children: Kate, Jimmy and Patrick.
East Carolina University
Past Chairman & Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees
Raleigh City Council (four terms)
Centennial Authority
Board Member
The 200 Club of Wake County
Member
American Heart Association, Triangle Heart Ball
Chairman, 2016 Heart Ball | Vice Chairman, 2015 Heart Ball
N.C. Republican Party
Past Finance Chair
Delegate to the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Republican National Conventions
N.C. Property Rights Coalition
Chairman & Founder
N.C. Property Rights Foundation
Chairman & Founder
Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina
Past Chairman, Board of Directors
Bennett College for Women
Past Member, Board of Trustees
Capital Area Republican Club
Past President

Reviews
Kieran has an AV® Peer Review Rating (preeminent) from the Martindale Hubbell International Law Directory. This designation is considered the height of professional excellence for an attorney who has usually practiced law for many years and is being recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.
Recommendation from John G. Armel, Financial and Operations Executive at Armel Consulting
“In over forty years of business experiences, Kieran Shanahan and his firm are the best that I have seen. The professional and leadership abilities are unsurpassed. The support that is provided and technical expertise are outstanding.”

Sarah Strickland
Paralegal
Sarah graduated from Miami University with a degree in International Business and has worked in the legal field for 16 years. Sarah started working with with Shanahan Law Group in 2011. She specializes in Complex Business Litigation, as well as various corporate and non-litigation matters.

Judy Oakley
Office Manager
Judy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and has been an integral part of Shanahan Law Group for more than two decades. She handles billing, accounting, office management and assists with administrative tasks.