Biography

Maryellen Shea has managed the defense of cases ranging from simple contract disputes to multi-million dollar wrongful death actions. She has also defended major banking and financial services companies in matters including jurisdictional and procedural disputes, securities litigation and SEC investigations, and consumer claims involving deceptive trade practices, truth-in-lending laws, home solicitation sales act, predatory lending, and other complex banking and tax laws. Ms. Shea's practice has expanded to encompass energy, IP and employment litigation. She also enjoys a busy appellate docket.

Ms. Shea was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Westport, Connecticut. She graduated from The Juilliard School and had a successful career as a concert violinist before becoming an attorney. She played in New York City's finest chamber ensembles and maintained a busy recording and Broadway orchestra schedule, which included a three-year run of Les Miserables.

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Representative Matters

• Successfully defended a multi-million dollar breach contact claim against a major geophysical company.


• Successfully defended 32 claims brought by a subprime lender against an appraisal services company by prevailing in a series of complex summary judgment motions.


• Successfully defended a high-level officer defendant in the Enron securities, ERISA and derivative multi-district litigations, each consolidated in the Southern District of Texas - Houston Division.


• Integral role in defending a national bank in three related actions alleging deceptive lending practices. The result was a take-nothing judgment following a lengthy trial against the State of Arizona; a non-suit by the State of Texas, and a defeat of certification of related class actions.


• Currently defending one of North American's largest producers of pipe and casing for the oil and gas industry in a product and warranty action brought in Federal Court by an exploration company.


• Successfully defended a Fortune 500 company and leading supplier of catalysts used in the petroleum, chemical, and food industries in numerous asbestos and mesothelioma actions.

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Community Involvement

Ms. Shea created and implemented a violin program for first graders at KIPP Shine Academy, a charter school for under-served children in the Houston community. She has been a Board Member of The Houston Friends of Music, a society devoted to bringing the finest chamber music to Houston since 1960; a member of the Houston Doctors Orchestra; and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. She also participates in numerous pro bono publico assignments.

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Latest News

• Jackson Walker Wins Texas Supreme Court Victory for Client in Franchise Tax Case

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