Barrister of the Month: Shannon M. Reno

By Kimberly Norvell, Barristers' Media Chair

Shannon Reno was born in Los Angeles, CA. Her family moved to the Sacramento area when she was in junior high school, and she has lived here ever since. Shannon attended Roseville High School followed by California State University, Sacramento, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. In the fall of 1998, she began law school at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law as a full time day student. Her fondest memories of law school stem from her participation on the Mock Trial Competition Team during her second and third year. She was coached by William Barry who remains a mentor and close friend. They traveled several times a year participating in vigorous competitions against other law schools throughout the country, where she discovered her passion for the courtroom and knew she wanted to be a trial attorney immediately following law school.

While at McGeorge School of Law, Shannon participated in other notable organizations. She was able to represent clients during her second year as a certified law student in the Community Legal Services program. She represented low-income clients primarily in the area of family law. Shannon was also a member of the McGeorge Chapter Order of the Barristers and Anthony M. Kennedy American Inns of Court. She graduated with honors in May 2001.

Ms. Reno began working at the Sacramento County Public Defender's Office as a legal research assistant during her second year of law school. She fell in love with criminal defense and was hired as an attorney in December 2001. Shannon rotated through the misdemeanor, juvenile, felony, and conservatorship units, defending clients at both court and jury trials. The conservatorship unit was by far her favorite as people's liberty was at stake because of a mental illness diagnosis.

Shannon left the P.D.'s office in August 2006 to take the position of Assistant General Attorney for Union Pacific Railroad. She is in the litigation department, which focuses on administrative, employment, contract, real estate, and tort matters. Her caseload specifically includes personal injury cases dealing with the Federal Employees Liability Act.

Shannon has four sisters and a brother. Their parents raised them to value education and family. Fortunately, they all remain very close and make every effort to stay in contact as much as possible. Shannon married husband Christopher Henderson on May 31, 2002. They were high school sweethearts who reconnected after approximately seven years when Christopher spotted Shannon on the freeway. They have two beautiful daughters, Taylor (11) and Hannah (2), who bring immense joy to Shannon and Christopher's life. Shannon's hobbies include spending time with her family after work and on weekends, watching movies, playing basketball and volleyball, working out, and baking scrumptious desserts!