Attorney

Shannon McDonnell

Estate Planning and Estate Administration

Shannon McDonnell attended Saint Louis University School of Law. Her main practice areas include estate planning and administration.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Shannon had a wide-ranging career, including working as a designer and product coordinator for several of Dillard’s private label brands and founding Hossmas, a sustainable self-care product line. Before joining Stock Legal, Shannon’s practice focused on litigation. That included a wide range of contested and uncontested family law, probate and trusts and estate matters.

Today, Shannon advises clients in trusts and estates transactional matters, as well as preparing the requisite ancillary documents to effectuate clients’ estate planning objectives. With her extensive experience in big and small business, as well as her litigation background, Shannon is able to assist clients in developing real-world strategies to obtain their personal goals.

Shannon and her husband dream of one day becoming regular international Formula 1 race attendees. Her current-day interests include reading, knitting, her husband and her two daughters.

Education

  • Saint Louis University Law School– J.D. (2012)
  • Florida State University – B.S. (2005)

Legal Background

  • Sivia Law; Associate Attorney Focusing on Probate, Trust and Estates and Family Law Litigation and Transactional Matters (2018-2022)
  • Thompson Coburn LLP; Contact Attorney (2017-2018)
  • The Bradford Law Offices; Attorney Focusing on Family Law, Probate and Trust and Estates Litigation and Transactional Matters (2013-2016)
  • Land of Lincoln Legal Services; Rule 711 Attorney Litigating Family Law Cases Under the Violence Against Womens’ Act (2010-2012)

Professional Affiliations and Community Involvement

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Madison County Legal Clinic Pro Bono Attorney (2013-2018)
  • Project Read Literacy Tutor
  • YMCA Literacy Tutor
  • Covenant House Missouri Case Manager (2017-2018)

Selected Publications and Press

Admissions and Distinctions

  • Illinois
  • VA-Accredited

Podcasts

Authored Articles

October 24, 2025
Trustee Duties to Beneficiaries: A Fiduciary's Obligation

Serving as a Trustee is a serious legal commitment. This post breaks down the four cornerstone fiduciary duties a Trustee owes to beneficiaries: the Duty of Loyalty, the Duty of Prudence and Care, the Duty of Impartiality, and the Duty to Inform and Account. Learn precisely what these obligations entail, from avoiding self-dealing to investing wisely and maintaining transparency. Crucially, we explain what constitutes a Breach of Fiduciary Duty and the legal recourse beneficiaries have to protect their rights.

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