Attorney Profile
Mr. Shanahan is 35 years old, openly gay and has been practicing law for 7 years. He resides in "Hell's Kitchen/Clinton" Manhattan with his dog Los Angeles, otherwise known as "L.A.". His father was raised by working class Irish-Catholic immigrants in Jersey City. His mother, an Iranian-Muslim, immigrated to New York City from Tehran, Iran, to work as a nurse at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan. His parents met ballroom dancing at Roseland and typify the American Dream. His family lived in "Hell's Kitchen" prior to moving to Staten Island.

Mr. Shanahan attended the State University of New York ("S.U.N.Y."), Cortland College, where he received his Bachelors of Arts in Communications in 1991. Mr. Shanahan has on three occasions been invited back to S.U.N.Y. Cortland to speak to students as a an alumni and has served as a mentor to students at Cortland and his other Alma Maters. In 1994, he attended Havana University's Summer Law Program, located in Havana Cuba, and received a Certificate of Completion in Cuban Law. Mr. Shanahan graduated from New York Law School where he was a Research Assistant at the Center for New York City Law under Professor Ross Sandler, Esq. He is admitted to practice in the New York, New Jersey and Florida Bars and all Federal courts in those states.

During law school, Mr. Shanahan took a leave of absence and traveled to Guatemala with Global Exchange, an organization which promotes relations between the United States and the third-world. While living in the City of Quetzelatango, Guatemala, he taught English and participated in work-brigades which built stoves and bathrooms for indigenous villagers in the areas surrounding Quetzelatango. Also while in law school, Mr. Shanahan interned with the New York State Department of Housing and Community Renewal ("D.H.C.R.") where he assisted in adjudicating complaints by rent stabilized and controlled tenants against their landlords. He also interned with the United Nations in the Department of Social Policy and Sustainable Development. He researched, edited and assisted in drafting a comprehensive comparative analysis of programs to assist the disabled by U.N. member nations. The analysis was published in 1997 as an official document of the United Nations entitled: "Review and Appraisal of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons" available on-line at www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/disrawp1.htm. He was a liaison to the Cuban Delegation during the Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations of the founding of the U.N. The Cuban Delegation included President Fidel Castro. Mr. Shanahan has returned to Cuba on numerous occasions and donated computers and other materials to the University of Havana, School of Law.

Growing up in Staten Island, Mr. Shanahan attended Public Schools P.S. 42, I.S. 7 and Tottenville High School. As a child, he was active in Staten Island civic and political affairs. He continued his active participation in local affairs while in college in Cortland, New York. As a student at SUNY Cortland, he organized student opposition to a low level radio-active waste dump which New York State had proposed locating in Cortland County. The proposal was ultimately defeated and the dump never built. Also as a student, he headed Cortland State Television ("C.S.T.V."). During his tenure as President and Station Manager, C.S.T.V. was recognized as Outstanding Student Organization by the College Administration. He was also active with the Cortland College Chapter of the New York Public Interest Research Group ("N.Y.P.I.R.G."). He was a student coordinator for the successful mayoral campaign of Marty Mack. Mr. Mack is now the Deputy New York State Attorney General in charge of regional offices.

After college and before deciding to attend law school, Mr. Shanahan began his professional career in the private sector with well-respected national companies including Spanish language network Telemundo and the C.B.S. Television Network. In 1993, Mr. Shanahan left C.B.S. when he was offered an opportunity to enter public service by joining the press office of then Mayor David N. Dinkins. While working for the Mayor, he was responsible for monitoring and analysis of broadcast coverage on governmental issues, compiling data researching for mayoral staff and assisting in formulation and drafting of Mayoral policy statements and press releases. He was also a coordinating volunteer for the "Increase The Peace Volunteer Core", a Dinkins Administration initiative intended to bring the diverse communities of our City together.

Beginning in 1994 until 1999, Mr. Shanahan worked as a Community Liaison for New York City's first Public Advocate Mark Green. He worked for the Public Advocate full-time, and later part-time in order to pay for law school which he was also attending part-time. Mr. Shanahan represented the Public Advocate at Community Boards throughout New York City and was responsible for facilitating inter-governmental efficiency in service delivery and further addressed constituent community concerns. When asked about his accomplishments while working for Public Advocate Green, Mr. Shanahan is most proud of his: participation in organizing "Citizen Action Teams" ("C.A.T.'s") in all five boroughs throughout the City; advocacy to protect the working-class residents of Spanish Camp from eviction and development of multi-million dollar mansions (Dorothy Day, an American Catholic Saint once resided at Spanish Camp); investigating unfair bidding and unsafe working conditions during the Verrazano Bridge rehabilitation; assisting the N.Y.P.D. and community residents in facilitating community harmony in Park Hill and Stapleton (Staten Island) after a controversial police shooting with racial overtones; exposing organized crime infiltration of the South Shore (Staten Island) sewer installment contract; getting basketball hoops installed for kids at Fort Hamilton High School in Bay Ridge (Brooklyn); citywide survey of the quality of pay phone service which demonstrated that minority communities are treated as second class citizens by the phone companies; citywide survey of cleanliness of streets and public furniture; and most of all, individual advocacy on behalf of hundreds of residents in all five boroughs.

Mr. Shanahan received substantial attention in the Staten Island Advance, Staten Island Register and other New York City publications for his work on behalf of Public Advocate Green.

His was humbled when Diana Yates, a resident of Spanish Camp, wrote a letter to the Editor which was published in The Staten Island Advance, stating:
"We the residents of Spanish Camp are grateful to [Public Advocate Green] and to Tom Shanahan for your tireless advocacy on our behalf. You visited our community at a crucial moment, spent time with us, and familiarized yourselves with the complexities of our situation. You and your staff followed through on your pledges of assistance quickly and with courteous generosity...Your integrity in renews my faith in the political system [as] every local politician but one ignored our letters....You took a risk and visited us. You are the only elected official to do so".


After graduating New York Law School, from 1997 to 1999, Mr. Shanahan became an Associate at the New York law firm of Tratner & Molloy, where he litigated discrimination cases. The Tratner & Molloy firm also served as counsel to various small and medium size corporations including the Salvation Army. Mr. Shanahan not only assisted those corporate clients in their legal matters, he also conducted sexual harassment and discrimination seminars on site for those clients in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, drafted and revised company employee handbooks, employment agreements and anti-discrimination policies.

In October 1999, Mr. Shanahan formed his own law firm, Shanahan & Associates, P.C. The firm's practice focuses on employment-related discrimination law affecting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities among our larger diverse city and state communities. He has been fortunate to co-counsel or otherwise work with some New York's and our country's most talented

legal minds including Raoul Felder, Esq., Richard Emery, Esq., Craig Gurian, Esq., Dean Spade, Esq. of the Sylvia Rivera Justice Center-Shannon Minter, Esq. of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Nadine Strossen, Esq. - National President of the ACLU, and former NY/ACLU Director-Norman Siegel, Esq. He regularly co-counsel's with Anthony A. Lo Presti of Meltzer Lo Presti, LLP, a brilliant young attorney and childhood friend from Staten Island. Among his most notable cases:

Straphanger Campaign v. MTA, Jet's, MSG ("West Side Stadium") - Mr. Shanahan served as lead counsel together with Senator Eric Schneiderman in the historic suit brought on behalf of the Straphanger Campaign, Common Cause, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and TWU Local 100 challenging the sale of the West Side Rail Yard to the New York Jets in a "sham" Request for Proposals which allegedly failed to maximize the benefit received by the public for the billion dollar property in breach of the fiduciary duty owed by the MTA to straphangers and taxpayers. City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and numerous members of the Council including Christine Quinn submitted an amicus brief on behalf of the civic groups and transit union Peitioners represented by Mr. Shanahan. The case was dismissed by the Honorable Herman Cahn on June 2, 2005 and is currently on appeal in the Appellate Division, First Department. Oral argument was heard on June 15, 2005. Mr. Shanahan handled this matter pro bono and paid the bulk of the expenses for the litigation. 2005 N.Y. Slip Op. 508240 (N.Y. County 2005) LEXIS 1094.
Straphanger Campaign v. MTA ("Fare Hike Litigation") - Mr. Shanahan served as lead counsel together with Senator Eric Schneiderman in the historic suit brought on behalf of the Straphanger Campaign, Senator David Patterson and others resulting in the roll-back of fares on subways, buses, LIRR and MetroNorth. Mr. Shanahan handled this matter pro bono and paid the bulk of the expenses for the litigation. 309 A.D.2d 127, 763 N.Y.S.2d 13 (1st Dept. 2003) app. denied 100 N.Y.2d 513 799 N.E.2d 617 (2003);

Skyscraper Safety Campaign v. Port Authority - Mr. Shanahan was lead counsel on this matter which does not seek money damages but to compel the Port Authority to reconstruct the World Trade Center in conformity with the New York City building and fire codes. Mr. Shanahan represented the families of twenty 9/11 victims, two members of Congress, numerous community groups and the N.Y.C. Uniformed Fire Officers Association. Mr. Shanahan handled this matter pro bono and paid expenses for the litigation;

Marks v. Aylsworth - Mr. Shanahan was lead counsel on this matter with Michael Joseph, Esq. representing Bridget Marks, a published author, actress and former Playboy model. Ms. Marks lost custody of her twin daughters, Amber and Scarlet, to her former lover John Aylsworth, after a Judge held that she made up false accusations of sexual abuse during custody litigation. Mr. Shanahan did not represent Ms. Marks in the visitation and custody litigation in Family Court but was hired for the appeal. Mr. Shanahan prevailed on appeal and the children are again in the custody of Ms. Marks. 16 A.D.3d 324, 791 N.Y.S.2d 421 (1st Dept. 2005);

Romeo v. Seton Hall - Mr. Shanahan is co-counsel with Marianne F. Auriemma, Esq., in representing gay and lesbian students who were denied the opportunity to form a student organization at Seton Hall, challenging the religious exemption to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The trial court found for Mr. Romeo and the gay and lesbian students. Seton Hall appealled. Mr. Shanahan argued in the New Jersey Court of Appeals on behalf of Mr. Romeo on April 4, 2005. Mr. Shanahan is handling this matter pro bono and paying expenses for the litigation;

Lepore v. Twilo - Mr. Shanahan obtained a successful judgment in the first ever jury trial/inquest of transsexual employees fired under New York's Administrative Code. Mr. Shanahan handled this matter pro bono and paid the expenses for the litigation;

Lippiello v. Sharmat - Mr. Shanahan was successful in one of the first same-sex visitation case involving the non-biological mother's right to visitation when the lesbian couple ended their relationship. Although successful in the Family Court, the victory was reversed on appeal before the Second Department. The Court held that it is the sole responsibility of the legislative branch to amend the Domestic Relations Law and until such time, litigants such as Ms. Sharmat have no right to visit with the children they have raised since birth and whom the children consider a "co-mom". Mr. Shanahan handled this matter on a primarily pro bono basis. 753 N.Y.S.2d 868 (2nd Dept. 2003);

Galley v. City of Naples - Mr. Shanahan successfully challenged on due process and equal protection grounds a discriminatory Florida statute. The City of Naples enacted a "live entertainment" law which prohibited "live entertainment" in the City of Naples on Florida's west coast. The law did not define "live entertainment" in a subjective manner and had a vague and ambiguous enforcement scheme. The owners of the Galley alleged the law was selectively enforced only as to them, the only GLBT owned and operated business in Collier County. Mr. Shanahan met with representatives of the Mayor of Naples along with Civil Rights Activists Allen Roskoff and Councilman/Mayor of West Hollywood Jeff Prang. They held a "Rally for the Galley" with a prominent drag queen from New York and intended to be arrested for intentionally violating the "live entertainment"law prior to filing the lawsuit. Instead, the matter was amicably resolved . The Galley remains open today in Naples;

Reilly v. MTA - Mr. Shanahan successfully sued the MTA/NYCTA to apply local human rights code to a New York State agency, which argued governmental immunity. Mr. Shanahan handled this matter pro bono and paid the expenses for the litigation. N.Y.L.J. Jan. 2, 2003, at 18, col. 5 (Sup. Ct. New York County);

Rios v. MTA - Less than one year after the victory in the Reilly case, the MTA again denied same sex health benefits to workers, this time a lesbian couple. The MTA argued that the Reilly decision does not apply to workers in Staten Island in its Staten Island Rapid Transit Division as they are represented by a different union than the litigants in Reilly. The MTA moved to dismiss and the matter was argued before Supreme Court Justice Phillip Minardo on April 29, 2004. In December 2004, Judge Minardo ruled in favor of the MTA and ordered the case dismissed. The matter is currently on appeal in the Second Department. N.Y.L.J. Dec. 28, 2004, at 1, col. 2, N.Y.L.J. Dec. 30, 2004, at 17, 20, Col. 1. Mr. Shanahan is handling this case pro bono and paying expenses of the litigation;

Mc Grath v. Toys R Us - Mr. Shanahan obtained a jury verdict against Toys R Us on behalf of three transsexuals who were subjected to discrimination based upon their gender identity while Christmas shopping in the Bensonhurst Toys R Us. Although originally a pro bono matter, Chief Judge Charles P. Sifton of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York awarded more than $200,000 in attorney fees holding the case was "novel" and the attorney fee award would "serve to encourage the bringing of meritorious civil rights actions that would otherwise be abandoned based upon the inability to retain competent legal counsel". Toys R Us appealed the attorneys fee award of Judge Sifton and the Second Circuit certified five questions to the New York State Court of Appeals. The questions pertain to statutory interpretation of the New York City Human Rights Law. The Court of Appeals accepted certification and argument will be heard in the Fall 2004. Amicus briefs will be filed by the New York County Bar Association, the Anti-Discrimination Center headed by Craig Gurian, Esq., The National Center for Gay and Lesbian Rights, National Employment Lawyers Association, Transgender Law and Policy Institute, and the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project among others. 2002 U.S. Dist. Lexis 22610 (SDNY 2002), 356 F.3d 246 (2nd Cir. 2004). The case was argued on October 12, 2004 before the New York State Court of Appeals and a decision in favor of the transgendered plaintiffs issued on November 23, 2004. 2004 N.Y. Lexis 3564 (2004). In a decision dated June 2, 2005, the Second Circuit remanded the matter to the Trial Court for further proceedings to determine if the award of fees is consistent with the standard enunciated by the New York State Court of Appeals. 2005 U.S. App. LEXIS 10544 (2nd Cir. N.Y. June 2, 2005).


On a lighter note, when in 2001, New York's Zagat rated "Best Dive Bar", Siberia, was targeted for closure by its landlord, Mitsubishi, Mr. Shanahan joined a team of volunteer lawyers who fought to preserve New York's "Best Dive Bar". Siberia alleged sever harassment by Mitsubishi as part of its campaign to evict the landmark including ripping a toilet from the wall and flooding Siberia. After all appeals were exhausted, Mr. Shanahan accompanied Tracy Westmoreland, Siberia's owner and Minister of Propaganda to Tokyo to protest the eviction. He and Minister Westmoreland brought the toilet allegedly ripped from the wall with them to Tokyo and chained themselves and the toilet to the World Headquarters of Mitsubishi. The visit to Japan was intended as a mission of peace as a demonstration of non-violent social advocacy. Consistent with their message of peace, international brotherhood and in order to facilitate international relations, during their visit to Tokyo, Mr. Shanahan, Minister Westmoreland and their delegation visited schools, zoo's, non-governmental organizations, Japanese Gay Rights organizations, unionized workers and labor organizations. Siberia was, and at its new location remains, a favorite of many notable celebrities, media types and generally cool people.

In addition to the foregoing, the following are reported decisions involving Mr. Shanahan: De Rosa v. Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation (2004 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 10490) Boat Basin Investors v. First Am. Stock Transfer (2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1838); Dix v. City of New York (2002 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18262); Coppola v. Applied Elec. Corp. (1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14855); and Shubert v. American Express, NYLJ, April 6, 2001.

Other cases in which Mr. Shanahan is or was involved which have received extensive attention in the public include: Sosa v. David Barton Gym; Bowen v. New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project; Cookie Capasso v. Sisters of Charity; Gay City News v. A Different Light Bookstore; Robbins v. Larchmont Yacht Club; Sansum v. Fioretti; She Male Escorts v. Verizon; Thomas v. Redemptorists; and Benez a/k/a "Big Pussy with Lipstick" v. K-Rock. Information on these cases is available on www.shanahanlaw.com on the cases of interest page.

Moreover, numerous press accounts have reported on Mr. Shanahan's fight for civil rights for the gay, lesbian and transgendered communities and the rights of all New Yorkers. Among those most notable:
West Side Spirit, Christopher Moore, "West Siders Behind MTA Suit, Schneiderman, Shanahan Lead Charge On Fares" (May 22, 2003) (reporting that "[a]t Shanahan and Associates, a firm on Fifth Avenue at 45th Street, he specializes in employment law and civil rights. He's part of what [State Senator Eric T.] Schneiderman called 'a courageous team of volunteer attorneys....");

New York Blade News, Kevin Spence, "Twilo Told To Pay For Firings" (Aug. 22, 2003) (reporting that "Thoms D. Shanahan, the attorney representing Lepore and Munoz [the plaintiffs] said, 'finally, my clients are vindicated and the renegade club and its owners found guilty. This will clearly show that transsexuals are entitled to the same civil rights as everyone else.'");

CNN.COM, Phil Hirschkorn, "Lawsuit Seeks Enhanced WTC Fire Safety," (July 1, 2003) (reporting on the Skyscraper Safety Campaign's lawsuit to require the City's building and fire code to be applied to the new World Trade Center, quoting plaintiff's attorney Mr. Shanahan stating "'[w]e're not trying to slow anything down,' ... 'The goal is to build a safer city for the people who are going to work in and visit those buildings and the people who will live in the area surrounding them.'");

The Associated Press, "Trans Customers Accuse Toys 'R' Us Of Harassment", (reporting on lawsuit against Toys 'R' Us for discriminating against transsexuals, noting "[i]n opening statements plaintiff attorney Tom Shanahan described the dispute as a 'very, very important case' mixing issues of sexual identity, civil rights and corporate responsibility."); and

New York Blade News, Tom McGeveran, "Fighting Radio Shock Jocks," (July 28, 2000) (reporting on transsexuals's lawsuit against New York radio station WXRX K-Rock for discrimination, quoting Mr. Shanahan stating that "[t]his repeated verbal gay bashing that takes place over the radio ... has a real effect on people's lives, and this is about to some extent holding those people accountable.").

New York Law Journal, Tom Perotta, "Case With Ethical Overtones for NY Judges Takes Bizarre Turn", (August 27, 2004) (reporting on foreclosure lawsuit which prompted an F.B.I. investigation into judicial conduct by multiple New York State Supreme Court Judges including Judge Marilyn Diamond, quoting Mr. Shanahan stating "even unpopular litigants have a right to their day in court, and even unpopular litigants have a right to counsel....When they talk about sanctions and hearings [against us]...that has a chilling effect on lawyers....I'm [just] doing my job.").
Mr. Shanahan continues to fight for integrity in our court system to the point of finding himself on the front line of ethical debate. On February 7, 2004, The New York Post reported a "'Bribe' Mess in Suit v. Rabbis". The story detailed allegations reported by Mr. Shanahan to New York State Supreme Court Judge Nicholas Figueroa, of what Mr. Shanahan believed to be questionable conduct by a litigant in a matter before Judge Figueroa. No investigation was ever conducted and Mr. Shanahan was instead reported for discipline by Judge Figueroa for his failure to provide the litigant with notice through her counsel.

As the New York Post reported:
"A respected Manhattan lawyer finds himself in a legal tangle after claiming a women involved in a bizarre and notorious divorce case tried to bride him.
Tom Shanahan made the bombshell allegations about Helen Sieger in a letter to state Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Figueroa, who's presiding over her suit against the Union of Orthodox Rabbis, court records show.

Figueroa wasn't exactly grateful: He reported the lawyer to the Disciplinary Committee for sending him 'clearly prejudicial" information about Sieger.

It's outrageous, said Shanahan..., I think I did the absolute right thing."

Mr. Shanahan continues to stand by his statement and has a witness to the events. He is still subject to discipline for his actions. The individual was never referred to the any authority based upon Mr. Shanahan's complaint and allegations.

Mr. Shanahan was again facing sanctions for his advocacy on behalf of Anthony De Rosa as reported in the New York Law Journal on August 27, 2004 (De Rosa v. Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corporation, et al., 2004 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 10392). As he stated in the New York Law Journal, "even unpopular litigants are entitled to counsel and their day in court". In February 2005, the Appellate Division sanctioned Mr. Shanahan $250 for his actions in advocating for Mr. De Rosa on appeal. Mr. Shanahan accepts the sanctions imposed by the Court from which Justice Andrias dissented. In disagreeing with the decision of the majority, Justice Andrias held:
"There was no basis for the majority's sua sponte direction....[to impose sanctions]...Nothing in the submissions directed on the issue adds anything to warrant the sanctions now being imposed. In fact, plaintiff's counsel's [Shanahan] assertion that he acted in good faith is uncontradicted".


Mr. Shanahan maintains the highest degree of respect for the Appellate Division, First Department and accepts their sanction and decision. However, as he stated in the New York Law Journal, Mr. Shanahan believes the ruling will have a "chilling affect on lawyers who represent unpopular litigants". See New York Law Journal, August 27, 2004 and February 26, 2005, decision at 15 A.D.3d 249, 793 N.Y.S.2d 1 (1st Dept. 2005), 2005 App. Div. LEXIS 1982.

Mr. Shanahan has been a guest speaker and lecturer at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, Brooklyn Law School, Fordham Law School and New York University Law School on matters relating to gender identity and anti-discrimination statutes, same-sex sexual harassment, gay estate planning and "disparate impact" in public funding of mass transportation in minority neighborhoods. Mr. Shanahan has also been a guest commentator on Court T.V., CNN, Fox News Channel, nationally syndicated programs, as well on local network affiliates. Mr. Shanahan and his cases have been featured on; Larry King Live; The O'Reilly Factor; PrimeTime Live; The Dr. Phil Show; On the Record With Greta Van Susteren; Hannity and Colmes; 48 Hours; DateLine NBC; The View; Good Morning America; The Today Show; CBS This Morning; The Catherine Cryer Show; and numerous other nationally broadcast programs.

Mr. Shanahan has taped numerous law related special interest segments which air on "New York 1 News", a twenty-four hour all news cable station in New York City, an affiliate of Time Warner/CNN. The segments are hosted by New York 1 anchor Kristen Shaugnhessy and are designed to provide viewers with "Legal News That You Can Use". Past segments have included legal advice on: avoiding immigration fraud; protecting yourself in family court; the distinction between condo's and coop's and why viewers should care; and employment rights generally of an at-will employee in New York State. The segments are intended to provide general legal knowledge to viewers to educate them to their rights, protect them from unscrupulous individuals pretending to be lawyers and as a public service.

Mr. Shanahan is a volunteer attorney who has provided pro-bono legal consultations to low income individuals through legal clinics sponsored by: the Sylvia Rivera Law Project of the Urban Justice Center; Lesbian and Gay Immigration Rights Task-Force; New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project; Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association ("LEGAL")(He co-chaired the Committee on the Judiciary in 2004 which assists in selecting qualified candidates for Judge); and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund ("LAMBDA").

Mr. Shanahan is an active Democrat, a former/current member of the: Richmond County Democratic Committee; Staten Island Democratic Association; Young Democrats of Staten Island; Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club; Stonewall Democratic Association; Queens Coalition for Political Alternatives; Mc Manus Democratic Organization where he serves as legal counsel to District Leader James Mc Manus; and Democratic organizations in Kings and Queens County including The Stars and Stripes in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and The Robert F. Kennedy Club in Forest Hills, Queens. He is general counsel to the Stonewall Democratic Organization.

Although he began as a reformer who challenged the Democratic leadership on Staten Island, he eventually worked with the party for constructive change and became a close friend of then County Leader Robert Gigante and Executive Committee members. Mr. Gigante is now a Supreme Court Judge sitting in Richmond County. He has also worked with and shares a cordial relationship with Assemblymember John Lavell, the current Richmond County Democratic Leader.

Mr. Shanahan has personally run the campaign of numerous elected officials in New York

State and participated in more than fifty campaigns for city, state and federal office including numerous judges in various boroughs in New York City. He has provided legal advice and/or represented in litigation numerous elected officials including: Council Members Helen Sears, Alan Gerson and Christine Quinn; Assemblymen Richard Gottfried and Daniel O'Donnell, State Senate Minority Leader David Patterson; State Senators Eric Schneiderman and Tom Duane, Congress Members Carolyn Mahoney and Congress Member Christopher Shays. Mr. Shanahan has also worked closely on community issues and developed public policy issues with many past elected officials and current office holders including: numerous members of the New York City Council; New York City Public Advocate Betsy Gotsbaum; New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson; New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi; Assemblyman Richard Brodsky; and West Hollywood Mayor Jeff Prang. He was honored by New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller at a press conference at City Hall in 2003 for his legal advocacy on behalf of MTA employees and the transgendered.

Although a proud Democrat, Mr. Shanahan has also actively worked along-side numerous Republicans in the interest of promoting the welfare of our communities. He has also represented Republicans in litigation including Congress Member Christopher Shays (Connecticut). He was invited to Gracie Mansion in 2004 as a guest of Republican New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Mr. Shanahan has been a member on the Board of Directors or been a member of various community organizations including: The Staten Island Taxpayer Organization; Community Board Five (Manhattan); Hell's Kitchen AID's Project; Protectors of the Pine Oak Woods (Staten Island); Students Against Radioactive Waste (Cortland); Central Park Conservancy; The New York Institute on Disability; Committee to Save the Goethals Trailer Park Residents (Staten Island); Increase the Peace Volunteer Corp.; Institute for Cuban Studies; Pastors for Peace; Families for Justice; Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project; Gay and Lesbian Nightlife Association; NYPIRG/Straphanger Campaign; and numerous elected officials as a legal advisor on issues of public importance.

Mr Shanahan has represented numerous community organizations and not-for-profits in pro bono litigation including: NYPIRG/The Straphanger Campaign, The Bleeker Street Merchant's Association; Dyke TV; Gay City News/Lesbian and Gay News ("L.G.N.Y."); Uniformed Fire Officers Association; Tribecca Community Association, Inc.; Bleeker Area Merchants' and Residents' Association; Skyscraper Safety Campaign; The New York Institute on Disability; and gay students at Seton Hall University seeking to establish an LGBT organization known as "TRUTH". Mr. Shanahan was an invited guest of the Archdiocese Delegation which traveled to the Vatican in Rome in 2002 to attend the "Consistory" ceremony at which Edward Egan was elevated to Cardinal of the New York Archdiocese. Mr. Shanahan attended with James Mc Manus and Carlos Manzano of the Mc Manus Democratic Organization. It is among his most notable memories. Mr. Shanahan has been the recipient of numerous honors in recognition of his extensive legal work in defending the civil liberties of others, including most recently: 2003 Honoree of the Stonewall Democratic Club; and 2003 Honoree of the Nationally respected "good government" group Common Cause. In fact, in 2003 the Governing Board of Common Cause/NY selected Mr. Shanahan as one of its award recipients at its annual "I Love an Ethical New Yorker" reception hosted by George Soros. Mr. Shanahan was awarded the "Holding Power Accountable" Award along with the Straphanger Campaign and other lawyers on the "NYPIRG/Straphanger Dream Team" for his "work as an attorney" who has "fought on behalf of all New Yorkers." Noted past award recipients include William Kennedy, Esq., Ken Burns, Mike Wallace, Walter Cronkite, and current New York City Corporation Counsel Michael A. Cardozo, Esq.

Mr. Shanahan continues to believe in our justice system and the Civil Rights of all through his day-to-day advocacy in the court room and public opinion.