Background
Colleen Shannon is a partner at our Toronto Office. Colleen was admitted to the Ontario Bar in 1989. She graduated from the University of Toronto Law School in 1987 and was awarded an LL.M. in Trade Regulation from New York University School of Law in 1994. Colleen held a post graduate fellowship position in Environmental Law at New York University between 1994 and 1997 and returned to private practice in 1997.
Prior to studying law, Colleen received a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 1981 from McMaster University and practised as an engineer in the oil industry. Colleen is a Professional Engineer.
Areas of Practice
· Engineering Law litigation including professional engineering liability, product liability and claims arising from environmental damage and construction related disputes.
· Engineering Law Risk Management including advising clients on contracts and duty to warn issues.
Professional Experience
· Trial, motion, appellate and arbitration experience.
· Successfully resolved numerous litigation claims in mediation.
· Counsel to corporate clients in relation to claims arising from environmental damage.
· Member of Hewlett Packard Y2K legal team.
· Counsel to professional engineers, contractors and their insurers in disputes arising out of construction contracts.
· Counsel to corporate clients in matters arising out of product liability.
· Counsel to corporate clients in class action proceedings.
· Practised engineering in the civil and mechanical design group of a large oil company managing the detailed engineering and construction bid packages for large capital refinery projects (1981-1984).
Professional and Community Activities
· Member of the Dean's Advisory Board, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University, 2006 - present
· Board Member, North York Women's Shelter, 2006 - 2009
· Member of the Canadian Bar Association
· Member of The Advocates' Society
· Member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario
· Member of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
· Directed research thesis in Environmental Law during LL.M.