Shannon M. Ragonesi

Managing Shareholder

Shannon is the Managing Shareholder and President of the Board of Directors of KBM. Her law practice encompasses civil rights litigation, employment litigation, labor law, school law, public records act litigation, and wrongful death and personal injury defense. She represents governmental agencies, school districts, schools, fire districts, police agencies, and their employees; as well as private corporations and individuals. Shannon has represented her clients in over 60 jury and bench trials in federal and state courts and labor arbitrations. She has also expertly represented her clients before the Washington state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. As a further, integral part of her law practice, Shannon investigates potential claims and provides guidance to her clients on litigation avoidance strategies.

Prior to joining Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S., Shannon was a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corp where she served for over five years as a Senior Prosecuting Attorney, a Senior Torts Attorney, Chief of Military Justice, and a Military Magistrate.

Representative Cases

Shannon has represented her clients in over 60 jury and bench trials as well as multiple labor arbitrations, licensing board reviews, civil service commission hearings, and inquest trials. Below is a selection of her representative cases.

Defense verdict in civil rights Fourth Amendment excessive force trial on behalf of two City of Issaquah police officers.
Defense verdict in employment discrimination and retaliation lawsuit on behalf of the Seattle School District.
Obtained state wide restrictions on filing new lawsuits against a vexatious litigant who was harassing municipal agencies through repeated baseless Public Records Act and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 lawsuits.
Dismissal of race discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against Seattle School District by former employee, with attorney fees, costs and $10,000 in statutory damages awarded to the District against the Plaintiff.
Defense verdict for City of Puyallup, the Puyallup Police Department, and 4 individual officers in an employment jury trial by a former police officer alleging race discrimination and wrongful termination.
Defense verdict for the City of Snohomish Police Department in a jury trial where the plaintiff alleged negligent police pursuit. The jury found the officers acted lawfully in attempting to pull over the fleeing suspect who subsequently struck the car being driven by the plaintiff.
Dismissal of disability discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against the Seattle School District by former classroom assistant.
Defense verdict for City of Edmonds in a jury trial alleging negligent sexual harassment, disparate treatment, negligent enforcement of protection orders, and negligent hiring, retention and supervision.
Dismissal of Public Records Act and discrimination lawsuit with an award of attorney fees and sanctions against the plaintiff.
Dismissal of pregnancy discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against Seattle School District.
Dismissal of First Amendment retaliation lawsuit with an award of attorney fees and sanctions against the plaintiff.
Dismissal of all claims against the City of Federal Way Police Department in a multi-million dollar lawsuit that had alleged the police engaged in a negligent police pursuit resulting in the death of an innocent motorist and catastrophic injuries to his passenger.
Dismissal of a lawsuit against the City of Medina and five individual employee defendants in a lawsuit where the plaintiff alleged wrongful termination and defamation. Shannon also won an award of $50,000 to the individual defendants for their counterclaim against the plaintiff.
Dismissal of a lawsuit against the City of Edmonds and the Edmonds Police Department alleging police negligence and wrongful death following a health and welfare check.
Dismissal of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the Fife Police Department alleging false arrest, excessive force and negligence when arresting a level III sex offender on outstanding warrants during a residence check.
Defense verdict for City of Covington in a jury trial where the City admitted liability for a motor vehicle accident and the plaintiff alleged $2.6 million in damages. The City asked the jury to award $8,000 to the plaintiff and the jury awarded only $7,331.50.
Dismissal of a lawsuit against the City of Mountlake Terrace and four police officers alleging negligence during a police pursuit. The court dismissed all claims against the defendants, stating the officers were complying with their legal duty to detain impaired drivers and they used due care for the safety of the public throughout the pursuit. Shannon also successfully defended against the plaintiff's appeal in a decision rendered on October 6, 2008 by Division I of the Court of Appeals. Somerville v. Mountlake Terrace, et al.
Dismissal of federal civil rights lawsuit alleging a failure to intervene against the City of Tukwila and six individual police officers and fire fighters; and an award of attorney fees to the City for having to defend against a frivolous lawsuit.
Washington Supreme Court decision in favor of Snopac Communications Center ruling that the 911 emergency services agency did not owe a duty to a caller to provide rescue services and even if it did, that duty was not breached as the 911 operator acted reasonably and properly in dispatching police. Harvey v. Snohomish County, Snopac, et.al.
Complete dismissal of federal civil rights and wrongful death suit against the City of Kent and three individual police officers where plaintiff alleged the deceased was wrongfully shot by police while he was evading arrest and placing officers in danger of serious bodily harm.
Dismissal of $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Maple Valley alleging negligent road design.
Arbitration award in favor of the City of Puyallup upholding termination of a City employee for theft and misconduct.
Civil Service Commission ruling in favor of the City of Clyde Hill and the Clyde Hill Police Department upholding termination of a former police officer for misconduct.
Arbitration award in favor of Fire District upholding discipline for employee misconduct.
Successful representation of the City of Kent in a coroners inquest jury trial following the fatal shooting of a suspect who was holding a hostage.
Successful representation of the City of Issaquah in a Coroners Inquest Jury Trial following the fatal shooting of a suspect who open fired at an Issaquah school and downtown Issaquah, endangering the lives of many innocent citizens and police officers.
Successful representation of the City of Kent in a Coroners Inquest Jury Trial following the fatal shooting of a suspect who endangered the life of a police officer.
Successful representation of the City of Tukwila in a Coroners Inquest Jury Trial following the fatal shooting of a suspect who endangered the lives of police officers.
Successful representation of City of Auburn in a Coroners Inquest Jury Trial following the suicide of an inmate at the City Jail.

Presentations

November 2023, “Labor and Employment Law Update” sponsored by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.

October 2023, “Employment Law Update for Law Enforcement and Corrections Personnel” sponsored by the Washington Counties Risk Pool.

October 2023, “Litigation Issues Relating to Public Agencies” sponsored by the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance.

October 2023, “Tort Law Update” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2023, “Public Safety Legislative Update: A Risk Management Perspective” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

October 2022, “Employment Law Hot Topics” sponsored by the Washington Counties Risk Pool.

April 2022, “Creating Effective Strategic Communications Messaging” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority and presented with Chris Guizlo from FEAREY.

April 2022, “Legislative Update Impacting Law Enforcement” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

April 2022, “Police Chiefs Forum” regarding law enforcement certification changes sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority and presented with Monica Alexander, Executive Director of the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.

October 2021, “Executive Management Forum” regarding legislative changes and their impact on law enforcement sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

August 2021, “City Attorney Forum” regarding legislative changes and their impact on law enforcement sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2021, “Police Chiefs Forum” regarding recent legislative changes and their impact on law enforcement sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

October 2020, “Open Public Meetings Act” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

August 2019, “Anti-harassment and anti-bullying training for Employees and Supervisors” sponsored by South Sound 911.

April 2019, “Risk Managers Forum” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

October 2018, “Police Chief’s Forum on Initiative 940,” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2018, “Best Practices for Police Chiefs and Sheriffs,” sponsored by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs & Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2018, “911 Communications Center Liability Prevention Training,” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

April 2018, “Labor and employment law update,” sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association.

October 2017, "Crisis Communications Training for Public Information Officers," sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

April 2017, "Labor and employment update," sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association.

October 2016, "Legal updates and training for 911 communications officials and employees," sponsored by the WA APCO-NENA.

September 2016, “Law Enforcement Liability Update,” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

May 2016, "Risk Managing Liability Issues Surrounding SWAT," sponsored by the Washington State Tactical Officer's Association.

September 2015, “Personnel Law Update,”sponsored by the Washington Public Risk Managers Association.

June 2015 & September 2015, “Law Enforcement Liability Update,” sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2015, “Responding to and Managing High Profile Incidents,” sponsored by the Mountlake Terrace Police Department and the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

April 2015, "Personnel Law Update," sponsored by the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys for their 2015 Spring Conference.

March 2014, "Examining liability issues in Providing Loss Control Services," sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

June 2013, "Government Liability for Third Party Actions," sponsored by the Public Risk Management Association.

Spring 2013, "Police Use of Force Liability and Personnel Leave Issues and Legal Compliance," sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 series of training seminars to police agencies regarding Use of Force Liability and Personnel Legal Issues sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

January 2011, "Police Use of Force," sponsored by the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission and the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

Spring 2010, "Liability for Third Party Misconduct," sponsored by the Puget Sound Claim Managers Council.

Fall 2009, "Police Liability and the Use of Tasers," sponsored by the Puget Sound Claim Managers Council.

Fall 2009, "Liability Issues in Law Enforcement Employment," sponsored by the FBI National Academy.

Spring 2009, "Police Liability and Update Regarding Taser Liability," sponsored by Lorman Educational Services.

October 2007, "Federal Electronic Discovery Rules and Ramifications," sponsored by the Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys.

January 2007, “Police Liability Seminar,” sponsored by Lorman Educational Services.

April 2006, "Public Duty Doctrine and Police Liability," and "Legal Update on The Use of Tasers," sponsored by the Washington Cities Insurance Authority.

January 2006, "Public Duty Doctrine and Police Liability," and "Legal Update on The Use of Tasers," sponsored by Lorman Educational Services.

January 2005, "Police Liability," "ADA and Police Liability," and "Update on Police Pursuit Liability," sponsored by Lorman Education Services.

Education, Recognition, and Honors

State University of New York at Albany, B.A. (1992)
New York Law School, J.D., cum laude (1995)
Multiple designations as a "Rising Star" by peer poll in Washington Law & Politics Magazine

Professional and Community Activities

Member of the Washington State Bar Association
Member of the Washington State Bar Association Committee for Court Rules and Procedures 2010 through 2014.
Member of the New York Bar Association (Currently inactive due to change in residency)
Admitted to practice before all Washington State Courts and Washington U.S. District Courts and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Member of the King County Bar Association.
Member of the Pierce County Bar Association.
Member of the Washington Council of School Attorneys.
Associate member of the Washington Association of Municipal Attorneys.
Member of the Washington Trial Defense Lawyers Association.
Member Seattle Chapter of Society for Human Resource Management.
Member of the Lake Washington Human Resource Association.
Volunteer attorney for Lawyers Fostering Independence for the Center for Children & Youth Justice.
Member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
Member of the National Public Employer Labor Relations Association (NPELRA)
Active Member of Team TSA raising money and awareness for the National Tourette's Syndrome Association.