Shannon Joseph is a business litigation attorney, mediator, and arbitrator who previously served as both a North Carolina Superior Court Judge and Administrative Law Judge. With more than 20 years of experience in private practice and judicial service, she advises business and individual clients on dispute resolution and litigation strategy at every stage of a matter — from early dispute resolution through trial, arbitration, and appeal.

Shannon’s practice focuses on complex business and commercial disputes, including matters involving contracts, business torts, unfair competition, trade secrets, and employment-related claims. Her experience includes trying cases to jury verdict, arguing complex motions, and representing clients in litigation, arbitration, mediation, and appellate proceedings.

In addition to her litigation practice, Shannon serves as a DRC Certified Superior Court Mediator and is a member of the Panel of Neutrals for the American Arbitration Association and the International Centre for Dispute Resolution.

Accolades

Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Arbitration (2023)
Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Mergers and Acquisitions (2023, 2025)
Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Antitrust (2022)
Best Lawyers: Lawyer of the Year – Litigation – Land Use and Zoning (2020)
Best Lawyers: Litigation – Antitrust (2018-2027), Litigation – Intellectual Property (2025-2027), Litigation – Mergers & Acquisitions (2021-2027), Arbitration (2021-2027), Commercial Litigation (2021-2027)
Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite: Litigation (2015, 2019-2020, 2022, 2024-2026)
Super Lawyers (2017-2026)
Wake County Bar Association: President’s Award of Excellence (2014)

Representative Experience

Represented individuals and companies in a broad range of disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty, officer and director liability, and misappropriation of business opportunities
Trial counsel in a wide range of cases involving commercial torts, including fraud, trade secret misappropriation, interference with contract, and covenants not to compete.
Trial and appellate counsel in challenges to state procurement process and contract awards, including defense against antitrust and bid-rigging allegations
Served as arbitrator in numerous commercial disputes and presided in civil and criminal court in more than 30 North Carolina counties, including in over 100 jury trials

Presentations & Publications

“Going Through The Five Stages of Grief to Get to Settlement: Negotiation Scenarios and Strategies for Moving from Denial to Deal,” International Association of Defense Counsel CLE (manuscript co-author and panel member) (2024)
“Through the Looking Glass: The View From the Front of the (Court) Room,” International Association of Defense Counsel (moderator) (2022)
“Lessons on Effective Trial Strategy from My Cousin Vinny”: International Association of Defense Counsel CLE (manuscript co-author and panel member) (2021)
“Get Back to Business: Best Practices for Dispute Management.” Morningstar Law Group CLE (2016)
“Staying Calm Under Pressure – Advice from a Former Judge.” Triangle Business Journal (2015)
“As The Locals Do: Case Management for Land Use Cases in Superior Court.” North Carolina State Bar Association, Land Use Law Quarterly (2014)
“Leading Women.” The Women’s Networking Group, Fidelity Investments. Panelist (2014)

In addition, Shannon frequently made educational presentations at the NC Superior Court Judges Conference on topics such as rules of evidence, tort reform, and civil procedure and evidence.

Admissions

State of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the Western, Eastern, and Middle Districts of North Carolina
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Professional