Robert “Bobby” L. Shannon, a nationally recognized Carlton Fields trial lawyer, is the most recent recipient of the Regents’ Hall of Fame Alumni & Distinguished Friends Award. The esteemed award is bestowed annually by the University System of Georgia (USG) Foundation. Shannon received the award on September 9, 2022, at the group’s scholarship gala held at the St. Regis in Atlanta, Georgia.
The award is presented to USG alumni and friends to recognize their professional achievements, personal integrity, and dedicated service to the institution. The award is earned by individuals who demonstrate a fierce commitment to higher education in Georgia, and whose recognition is sure to inspire others.
“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the Foundation,” said Shannon. “I’m extremely grateful for the relationships and opportunities that were presented to me in my young adult life, and am equally thankful to be able to support the next generation of future leaders.”
In 2021, Shannon partnered with his alma mater, Valdosta State University (VSU), to establish a scholarship to support the development of future leaders. In recognition of Shannon’s past and present contributions to the university, VSU dedicated the Shannon Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in his honor.
In his practice, Shannon has built a national reputation for his skills in litigation strategy and crisis management through handling a broad spectrum of high-profile and complex matters. He has tried nearly 80 cases to verdict and has served as lead or co-lead counsel in a variety of matters in federal and state courts in 24 states and Puerto Rico. He has experience in multidistrict litigation and class actions, commercial and contract disputes, cybersecurity, aviation, product liability, mass torts, professional liability, trucking and banking, adversary proceedings in bankruptcy, construction, and other high-stakes matters.
Shannon’s experience as a trial lawyer is bolstered by 35 years of active and reserve service in the U.S. Air Force, where his work included national security issues, cybersecurity matters, and overseeing senior-level internal investigations as a senior Air Force inspector general. He retired from the Air Force in 2017 with the rank of major general. In addition to holding various command and senior leadership roles throughout his military career, Shannon served 18 deployments in support of combat and contingency operations to 30 countries
(L) Elizabeth Terrell, Board of Regents Foundation Board Trustee and (R) Robert “Bobby” L. Shannon, Carlton Fields
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