David S.
Shankman
Partner
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law (J.D., 1989)
Law Review and Order of the Coif
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 1986)
Admissions
- Ohio
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Memberships
- Ohio State Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
- The Florida Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
David's deep insight into every facet of employment law makes him a go-to lawyer for clients across the county.
Specifically, David has served and continues to serve as lead trial counsel on all employment related litigation matters throughout the country impacting employers today. He regularly advises clients on day-to-day matters, positioning clients to avoid litigation or if litigation is unavoidable, to increase the likelihood of success by strategically identifying the issues before final employment decisions are made. David routinely advises employers regarding matters specific to the National Labor Relations Act, either in the form of union avoidance or representing clients in union negotiations and collective bargaining administration.
As managing partner of Shankman Leone, not only is David laser focused in the world of labor and employment law, but he constantly strives to steer the firm in the manner most likely to generate the best results for clients at a value to the client that comparable services and results can’t match. David is a father of four and when work and family are not the priority, “I enjoy time with friends and clients on the golf course.”
David S.
Shankman
Partner
Education
- University of Richmond School of Law (J.D., 1989)
Law Review and Order of the Coif
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (B.A., 1986)
Admissions
- Ohio
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
Memberships
- Ohio State Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
- The Florida Bar Association (Labor and Employment Law Section)
After 27 years of practicing labor and employment law, David’s experience defines what a successful employment dispute resolution looks like—it’s when there is the least fanfare, the lowest cost and the least stress on the client’s business. David states, “the really good results go unseen. Our best work is when we strategically resolve an issue so effectively that no charge or lawsuit is filed, or no union grievance or strike occurs. Business just continues quietly.” In this litigious society, that is clearly the best outcome. David routinely assists clients to attain such outcomes by creating and implementing appropriate policies and procedures, and advising clients of the legal issues that may arise in any particular situation.
When litigation has occurred, however, the results have been exceptionally positive. David has handled class action cases from California to Florida, with FLSA collective actions in between. He has handled individual and multi-plaintiff cases under Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FMLA, all types of retaliation claims including State and Federal Whistleblower laws and any one of the myriad other employment laws throughout the country. David has worked with just about every federal agency (EEOC, OSHA, Wage & Hour, OFCCP, NLRB) relating to employment issues and many of their state equivalents throughout the United States and Hawaii. David also has represented employers in union organizing matters from Miami to Vancouver, Canada, and in the Caribbean, and regularly represents management in collective bargaining negotiations and contract administration.
David’s view is that employment litigation should not be a long, drawn out affair. The approach should be surgical. If there is a solid defense, let the opposing attorney know that. If there is a problem, approach the litigation as efficiently as possible so that the matter can be resolved quickly. David’s goal is to bring the litigation to an end, as quickly and as efficiently as possible; sometimes that’s a settlement, other times it’s a motion for summary judgment and sometimes that means taking a case to trial to avoid an unreasonable pre-trial resolution. David works closely with clients on each of these approaches, recognizing that some or all may apply to any given case at various times in the litigation.