Eleanor J. Shaffer

Associate

Ellie focuses her practice in the areas of personal injury & wrongful death, and criminal law.

In New York City, Ellie was a legal intern and law graduate at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem. She represented respondents facing abuse, neglect, and termination of parental rights proceedings in the Manhattan Family Court.

While in law school, Ellie worked as a research fellow for a non-profit organization for youth empowerment to stop hate-group-led violence. She also worked helping to remove invalid racial restriction covenants from deeds in Washington state. She also interned at Court Appointed Special Advocates for DC, where she participated in managing several programs such as Juvenile Behavioral Diversion Program/Person in Need of Supervision, Abuse and Neglect, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, HOPE Court, and the Family Treatment Court. Ellie also worked in public defense in Spokane County representing clients facing felony charges and involuntary civil commitment.

Ellie received a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Arizona State University in July 2013, a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in June 2015, and a Juris Doctor in May 2019 from Gonzaga University.

See Ellie’s profile on our main website.

Honors & Awards

  • The National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40, 2023, 2024
  • Best Lawyers in America® Ones To Watch, Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2024
  • Gonzaga University School of Law, Pro Bono Distinction

National Trial Lawyer Logo 40 under 40

Community & Philanthropy

  • Parent Legislative Action Network in New York City to help reform laws impacting parents facing neglect and abuse allegations
  • Partnered with educational groups in Washington, DC to implement laws that would disrupt the school to prison pipeline.

Representative Cases

  • $2.5M settlement for the family of a wrongful death victim in a medical malpractice suit.
  • $1.8M settlement for a wrongful death caused by anesthesia negligence.
  • $1.3M for a car accident where driver turned in front of client causing a broken leg.
  • $1.2M for a medical malpractice case on a failure to diagnose a spinal cord compression that led to temporary paralysis.
  • $1.5M for a dram shop against a bar that overserved a person who then drove the wrong way and killed our client’s son.
  • $1.5M for a pedestrian hit by a vehicle causing a broken elbow.
  • $1.6M settlement for a pedestrian severely injured after being struck and dragged by a truck.
  • $1.9M for negligence against paramedics who failed to properly intubate client leading to his death.
  • $900k settlement against a medical office that allowed our client with dementia to leave unaccompanied which led to her death.
  • $750K for the family of an inmate who committed suicide while in custody.
  • Represented a nineteen-year-old foster youth facing the removal of her newborn due to hearsay.
  • Represented a young mother facing the removal of her child due to disability discrimination.

Representative Experience

  • Represented clients in numerous emergency removal hearings and trials in Manhattan Family Court in which she was able to prevent children being removed from the home. She also represented parents in State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (“SCR”) hearings where she was able to prevent parents from being labelled incorrectly affecting decades of their life and ability to work.
  • Represented clients in criminal defense cases, including felonies and those involving competency issues, in Spokane County. She has also represented clients facing involuntary civil commitment in Eastern Washington.
  • Worked as an associate on personal injury cases involving wrongful death, negligence, and products liability.

Published Works

Speaking Engagements

  • Artificial Intelligence and International Law: A Call for Regulations and Implementation of Protections for Fundamental Human Rights in the Digital Age, Asian Society of International Law, August 2019, Manila, Philippines
  • Prison Psychology: Does Daily Counseling For Guards Have a Positive Impact on Prisoner’s Mental Health?, Washington Counseling Association Annual Conference, Spokane, WA 2013

Other

Before law school, Ellie utilized her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling to intern at the Spokane County Jail Mental Health Unit in Spokane, Washington. She provided counseling for individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. She frequently provided crisis intervention and counseling. Additionally, Ellie worked as a mental health therapist for YFA Connections, Youth and Family Services.  As a mental health therapist, Ellie conducted therapy sessions with children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with various disorders; she developed and wrote treatment plans, progress notes, and diagnostic summaries for children and adolescents; and she implemented behavioral interventions and modifications as per the treatment plan. She worked with children that had complex trauma and severe mental illnesses.  As a former mental health therapist, Ellie was devoted to the cause of helping people address the challenges they are faced in life.

News

After I lost my son and speaking to a trusted friend, I retained Bill King at Gallagher & Kennedy. From the very first in-person meeting we had, the whole G&K team-including Bill [King], Shannon Clark, Bob Boatman and Eleanor Shaffer-provided first rate representation and worked tirelessly to pursue my case, while also keeping me informed and involved every step of the way. Not only were they great advocates but they were also truly understanding, compassionate, empathetic and caring people during this difficult time. Previously, I had no experience with personal injury lawsuits and was unsure of what to expect. I could not have been more pleased with G&K’s representation, professionalism and advocacy. I would highly recommend Bill King and the entire team at G&K to anyone who needs the attention, care and legal skill they demonstrated in my case.

Amy BealGoogle

I am very pleased with my experience with Gallagher & Kennedy. They were very professional, knowledgeable, and informative throughout the process. I cannot say enough good things about working with Eleanor and the team. I am thankful that I had them working for me. They stayed on top of all inquiries that came in and kept me updated. They were wonderful to explain and answer my many questions keeping my best interest at the forefront. Highly recommend them to anyone needing an injury lawyer, they are the best!

Nancy JohnsonGoogle

After the death of our son as the result of a tragic car accident, we obtained legal services from Gallagher & Kennedy Injury Lawyers. Our lawyers, Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer, filed a Wrongful Death claim on our behalf. We appreciated the professional attention to our case that Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer provided. They handled our case with honesty, respect, and compassion which helped comfort us during a very difficult time. Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer proved to be efficient and driven to obtain the best outcome for our claim. Gallagher & Kennedy Injury Lawyers are highly recommended by us!

Kathy Perkins

What an experience! Everyone is always afraid to prove that they are eligible to receive what’s rightfully there’s. I know I was. I was in a terrible roll over accident 3 years ago which changed my life completely. Went under many surgeries, was not working, could not do things for myself for a year. I had insurance thru State Farm and always wondered how I could use it to benefit myself. The girl that caused the accident didn’t even have the state min requirement. Which made things even harder on me! Well, I went ahead and called Robert Boatman and Eleanor Shaffer to see if I have something worth fighting for. I went to their office and felt comfortable. We joked, got to know each other and then we dig into my case. We went over everything and they said let’s do this! We worked hard for over a year going back and forth with my insurance but we didn’t give up. They worked endlessly to ensure that everything this insurance company threw our way we could beat it. Eleanor checked in with me so much- always filled me in and answered any question I had. At one point State Farm was not budging. But with these two in my corner no one could stop them. We ended up getting the full amount my insurance refused to give me in the beginning and middle but not the end. Eleanor went as far as even seeing what else my other insurance policies could do for me. Fast forward to the present- I still call them for questions regarding any medical bills, surgeries, questions that I have etc., and they don’t hesitate to treat me the best (even after the case was won) they have now become someone I consider close friends. I couldn’t and wouldn’t recommend anyone else to defend me at the worst times.

Mae BarkerGoogle

Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer were great. They represented me in a malpractice lawsuit, and they were very professional and prepared. They kept me abreast of any new developments. We were able to settle out of court with great negotiation skills. I would highly recommend Shannon and Eleanor to anyone! Best decision you could make!

Vicki JamesGoogle

I had a bad faith problem with Progressive Insurance not helping with a claim on my toy hauler.  Eleanor was able to make the process stress free, communication was efficient, and the resolution was faster than expected. If I ever have any need for a lawyer or legal advice, she will be the first person I call.  Thanks again for all your help!

Mike S.Google

If you are looking for knowledgeable attorneys, seek Gallagher & Kennedy Law Firm. Shannon Clark and Eleanor J. Shaffer have provided legal representation in my mother’s case. While the personal injury case was quite lengthy, the entire team has been extremely supportive. During the mediation, Shannon advocated for my mother in which the case was able to be resolved outside of court. My mother has received exceptional service and we would highly recommend Shannon Clark, Eleanor Shaffer and his team.

Blanca RuizGoogle

Approximately a year and a half ago, my son was hit by an SUV while walking on the shoulder of a road; he suffered from multiple serious injuries while also sustaining horrific brain trauma. As his mother, I could only hope and pray that he would survive this disturbing event. I was in a state of extreme emotional disbelief being in a position of uncertainty regarding the life of my son. Even if he survived, the uncertainty of the quality of the rest of his life had still proven to be a permanent scar within my mind. This uncertainty was so great, that I had decided to speak to a legal council. By the grace of God, I had thankfully found the most compassionate and intelligent legal team available to me. This legal team had been under the company known as Gallagher & Kennedy Injury Lawyers. Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer were my angels straight from Heaven, blessing me with the promise of legal stability and representation that I had longed for since the incident. They have been there for my entire family throughout this traumatic experience. I can say without hesitation that they have shown the kind of compassion and concern that I desperately needed, which was more than I could have ever hoped for. They had provided attention to the legal aspects of this situation, of which I could not provide because my attention was focused towards the recovery of my son. They had given me the support and care that I had needed in order to push on through this painful event. I can vouch for them in saying that they did not take on this case simply for financial gain, but for moral reasons. If you ever need an attorney to walk you through a case involving an injury, these are the people that you need to contact! They put the victim and their family above all else. God bless everyone at Gallagher & Kennedy who provided all the support and aid to my son, as well as my family.

Mother and Family of Robert

“I highly recommend anyone who is looking for an auto injury attorney to lawyers of G & K. Eleanor, Bob, Karen, and the entire team went above and beyond with my motor vehicle case, they were consistent with follow up calls, 100% on strong work, feedback, and clear guidance in my case with outstanding results. Their detailed follow ups and check-ins calls were always my piece of mind through the entire process. Thank you for your support and dedication to my case!

Jesus R. Y.Google

Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer represented me in a serious car accident case and they did a wonderful job. I felt like they were always available and responsive and they both worked diligently to help me get a great result. I highly recommend anyone looking for an attorney consider Shannon, Eleanor, and the G&K injury team.

GuomingGoogle

Education

  • Gonzaga University
    J.D., 2019
  • Gonzaga University
    M.A., 2015
  • Arizona State University
    B.A., B.S., 2013

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Arizona 2021
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2022

Associations & Memberships

  • The National Trial Lawyers Association, Member, 2023-Present
  • Arizona Association for Justice, Member, 2022-Present