Associate
Today, I felt inspired to write a haiku about my colleague Shannon Kilpatrick, whose partnership and expertise helped us secure over $80,000 in attorneys’ fee sanctions for discovery violations against Amazon.
Yin and Yang
Bulldog’s fierce pursuit,
Wisdom’s calm shapes every move—
Balance wins the case.
I was also inspired to write about Shannon. Anyone who knows me in the courtroom knows my reputation: I’m a bulldog.
I push hard, fight fiercely, and have built my career on being aggressive and relentless for my clients. This approach has brought me major success over the years, but Shannon Kilpatrick has taught me that the toughest advocates need a different perspective to truly excel.
The legal world often celebrates the “bulldog” lawyer—someone who never backs down and is always ready for a fight. There’s value in that approach: it can intimidate the opposition and show clients you’re in their corner, no matter what.
Working alongside Shannon has been transformative for my practice. Shannon is the kind of lawyer who brings a different set of tools to the table. While I’m charging forward, she’s analyzing, researching, and crafting arguments with surgical precision. Her strengths in legal writing, analysis, and research are unmatched, and she has a rare ability to see the bigger picture when the rest of us are focused on the next battle.
Shannon’s background is as impressive as her skills. A Bellevue native, she graduated cum laude from Marquette University Law School and served as a judicial law clerk for Justice Debra Stephens of the Washington Supreme Court. You do not clerk for Judge Stephens unless you are a special lawyer.
At Stritmatter, she handles complex civil appeals, consults on appellate strategy, and takes on legal research and writing projects that shape the outcome of our cases.
Her expertise spans government liability, medical malpractice, and insurance bad faith.
Beyond her legal work, Shannon serves on the Board of Governors for the Washington State Association for Justice, is active in pro bono service, and has been appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court Gender & Justice Commission. She’s also a frequent speaker and author, sharing her knowledge with the broader legal community.
Shannon has taught me that being a great lawyer isn’t just about fighting hard—it’s about fighting smart. She’s shown me the power of strategic thinking, meticulous preparation, and the art of persuasion through the written word. When I’m ready to bulldoze through an obstacle, Shannon reminds me to pause, consider the angles, and sometimes, let the law do the heavy lifting.
Her guidance has enriched my practice and made me a more effective advocate for my clients. I’ve learned that the best results often come from a blend of tenacity and wisdom, aggression and analysis. Shannon’s influence has helped me see that there’s more than one way to win—and sometimes, the quietest voice in the room is the most powerful.
I’m grateful to have Shannon Kilpatrick as a colleague and mentor. She’s made me better in ways I never expected, and our clients are the real beneficiaries. If you’re looking for someone who can see the whole chessboard while you’re focused on the next move, Shannon is that lawyer.