Shauna J. Wright
BIOGRAPHY
Shauna Wright is a partner and co-chair of the Litigation practice group at Kelly Hart. Representing both corporate and individual clients, Ms. Wright handles a wide range of business litigation matters in state and federal courts. Her expertise spans various fields including real estate, aviation, airports, transportation, oil and gas, employment, and antitrust, among others.
As an accomplished litigator, Ms. Wright has acted as lead counsel in over 130 jury trials. She excels in navigating complex conflicts in high-profile settings and possesses the necessary skills in litigation, public policy, communications, and crisis management. In addition to her litigation expertise, Ms. Wright is also a qualified mediator, offering innovative and diligent solutions to litigants. She counsels clients on dispute resolution strategies, thereby minimizing the risk of costly litigation.
Throughout her career, Ms. Wright has provided legal counsel to a diverse clientele including crime victims, governmental agencies, political bodies, nonprofit organizations, and law enforcement agencies. Before her current role, she served as a prosecutor for the State of Florida, where she held significant positions such as Director of the Clay County State Attorney’s Office and Chief of the Special Victims Unit. In these roles, Ms. Wright demonstrated a unique blend of tenacity, advocacy, and experience in managing sensitive issues, particularly in child abuse, sexual abuse/assault, and homicide cases.
A sought-after speaker, Ms. Wright shares her expertise on various legal topics including trial practice, expert testimony, crisis investigation, child witnesses, and violence against women and children. She also provides legal counsel to United Methodist churches on matters such as child protection. Notably, Ms. Wright served as the firm’s Pro Bono Coordinator for a decade, overseeing over 30,000 hours of free legal services to the poor and underserved, reflecting her deep commitment to community service.
A native Texan, Ms. Wright resides in Keller where she raised her three children and remains actively engaged in the community.
EDUCATION
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D.
- Texas Christian University, B.A.
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Won a unanimous take nothing jury verdict for a commercial airline in a $50 million contract dispute with fashion designers over the airline’s uniform redesign
- Successfully represented a major international airport in a dispute with a car sharing company
- Won a take nothing jury verdict for a commercial airline in a $50 million alleged sexual assault claim
- Secured summary judgment for a real estate developer enforcing its right of first refusal on a property valued at $13 million
- Secured summary judgment in favor of a commercial airline defending allegations of gross negligence and false imprisonment
- Successfully represented a real estate developer in the sale of a $28 million industrial building
- Secured summary judgment in favor of commercial airline in a wrongful death case where plaintiffs alleged negligence for failing to divert a 767 aircraft when a passenger suffered a pulmonary embolism in flight
- Secured summary judgment for a developer enforcing restrictive covenants prohibiting sexually oriented businesses
- Successfully represented manufacturer and developer of police protective gear in multiple cases involving serious bodily injury or wrongful death
- Secured summary judgment in favor of real estate developer and general contractor, defeating wrongful death claim arising from a construction accident
- Won a unanimous take nothing jury verdict for a pilot and aircraft owner in defense of claims for fraud, mechanics lien, and unjust enrichment
- Successfully represented land owners in a jury trial regarding surface damage from oil and gas activity
- Prosecuted multiple FINRA arbitration claims representing widows defrauded by rogue financial advisors, recovering investment losses and fees
- Secured a dismissal for a municipal airport in a negligence case brought by injured parties after an aircraft mechanical failure
- Secured summary judgment in favor of an oil and gas exploration company regarding a breach of a prior settlement agreement
EXPERIENCE and HIGHLIGHTS
- Lead counsel in 130+ jury trials
- Mediator’s Training Course, Learn from the Masters, Qualified Mediator under CPRC § 154.052
- Represents businesses and individuals in a variety of disputes and litigation matters
- More than thirty years’ experience facilitating resolutions in litigation
- Represents brokers, firms, and investors in FINRA proceedings and securities litigation
- Regularly advises companies, boards of directors, and individuals facing high-stakes investigations by the DOJ, SEC, FBI, grand jury, and other regulators
- Counsels clients on sensitive internal investigations
- Defends and advises commercial developers in a variety of matters
- Defends professionals in administrative proceedings
HONORS
- Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2020-2024
- Civil Litigation | Defense
- Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2017-2024
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Civil Law | Litigation
- Top Attorney, Fort Worth Magazine, 2012-2024
- Commercial Litigation
- Civil Law | Litigation
- Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS) Mentor Award, 2018
- Keller ISD Education Foundation 2021 Spark Award for 8 years of exceptional volunteer service and leadership
- Tarrant Volunteer Attorney Services Pro Bono Attorney Mentor Award, Tarrant County Bar Association, 2017
- Great Woman of Texas, Fort Worth Business Press, 2014
- State Bar of Texas’ Pro Bono Coordinator Award, 2014
- Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas, 2012-2017
- Mission recognition, United Methodist Church, General Board of Global Ministries, 2008
- State Attorney’s Distinguished Service Award, 2005
- Honored as a Community Woman of Note, Clay County Line, 2005
AFFILIATIONS
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- District 7 Nominating Committee
- Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
- State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section
- Military Spouse J.D. Network (MSJDN)
- The Women’s Center, Board of Directors, 2016-2021
- Texas Association of School Boards Texas Council of School Attorneys, 2012-2014
- Keller ISD Education Foundation, Advisory Board, 2015-2018
- National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, 2012-2014
- Central Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, Board of Trustees, 2012-Present
- Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services (TVAS), Co-Chair, member 2012-Present
- Kelly Hart Pro Bono Coordinator, 2010-2019
- Keller Independent School District, Campus Educational Improvement Committees (CEIC), multiple campuses
- Leadership Fort Worth, Class of 2010
- United Community Centers, Board of Directors, 2008-2012
- National Adoption Day, Volunteer Attorney
- Battered Women’s Foundation, Volunteer Attorney
- City of Keller
- Planning and Zoning Commission, 2005-2008
- Uniform Development Code Technical Review Committee, 2007
- Mediators Achieving Peace in Partnership with Communities in Schools, 2006
- Domestic Violence Shelter, Advisory Board, 2004-2005
- Domestic Violence Task Force, 1997-2005
- Chairperson, 1998, 2002, 2004
- Sexual Assault Task Force, 1996-2005
- Chairperson, 2002-2004
- Teen Court judge and attorney coach, 2001-2005
- Northeast Tarrant County Bar Association, 2005-2009
- Governor’s task forces on Domestic Fatality and Sexual Predator Protocol, 2003-2004
ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Florida
- State Bar of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas
SPEECHES & PUBLICATIONS
- Speaker, Injury on the Field: Gross Negligence and Workers’ Compensation, AA Attorney CLE Summit, September 2024
- Panel Speaker, Aviation Insurance Association Conference
- Panel Speaker, Airline Industry Legal CLE, DFW Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel and Texas Lawbook
- Attorney-client privilege: navigating for In-house Counsel
- Moderator, Judiciary Panel, Ethical Considerations for In-House Counsel
- State Bar of Texas writing award for Best Series of Articles
- Executive Producer, “Death Blow” – an award-winning documentary film designed to prevent teen violence
- Instructor and Advisor, “Safe Sanctuaries: Child Protection for the United Methodist Church”
- Co-Author, “Developing or Refreshing a Pro Bono Program for Volunteer Attorneys in the Private Bar,” LegalFront, State Bar of Texas