Photo of P. Shane  O

P. Shane O'Neill

Hiring Partner (Southeast)

Shane represents clients in complex and high-exposure commercial, product liability, premises liability, and transportation matters in state and federal courts across the United States. He serves and acts as national counsel, regional counsel, and trial counsel for companies in the automotive, consumer products, industrial, hospitality, and transportation industries.

In litigated matters, Shane gets to the facts and evidence first, quickly analyzes liability and fault, and provides early trial exposure and settlement valuation to his clients. Always searching for sensible solutions to the challenges facing litigants, Shane is the Co-Founder of DataGavel, a revolutionary legaltech platform that efficiently and effectively manages tort matters, and uses the power of big, historical data to value such matters. As highly-motivated and resourceful counsel, Shane uses litigation as a finely-tailored tool to obtain the best possible results for his clients, and his track records proves this. He has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict; secured favorable summary judgment orders; and recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients.

Shane has been recognized for his litigation skills, strategy development and business acumen by Super Lawyers® (Super Lawyer 2020 and 2021, Rising Star 2017 and 2018) and was one of 20 lawyers in Georgia, under the age of 40, named to ALM Daily Report's "On the Rise" list (2018).

In his time away from work, Shane enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, reading, and traveling.

Education

Bowdoin College, A.B., 2002

London School of Economics and Political Science, High Honors, 2001

Suffolk University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008
Balfour Scholarship Recipient

Bar & Court Admissions

  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Massachusetts Bar
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • Supreme Court of Georgia
  • Supreme Judicial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Representative Experience

Litigating product liability matters venued across the United States.

Litigating catastrophic injury claims venued across the United States arising from collisions involving tractor-trailers and other commercial motor vehicles.

Litigating catastrophic injury matters venued across the United States arising from collisions involving service and delivery vehicles.

Litigating consumer litigation matters venued across the United States involving the performance of luxury automobiles.

Served as trial counsel for a firearm manufacturer and distributor in multiple product liability actions. 

Successfully defended a lifeguard company in the defense of a wrongful death action involving a minor child. 

Achieved favorable result for hotel owner arising from drowning of a minor child. 

Successfully resolved negligent security (shooting) matter involving catastrophic injuries for less than one-tenth of the original demand. 

Trial counsel for a global shipping and logistics company in the successful defense of a three-week wrongful death trial in Florida in which Plaintiff's counsel pre-trial demand was $50 million.

Trial counsel for a commercial truck warranty company in the successful defense of Plaintiff's breach of contract and bad faith claims in Oklahoma.

Counsel for a pipeline owner in the successful defense of wrongful death and personal injury claims arising from a pipeline explosion; cases litigated in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. 

Defense of manufacturers, distributors and suppliers in catastrophic tort and product liability litigation throughout the United States.

Prosecution and defense of high-exposure construction litigation and subrogation matters. 

Recovered almost $5 million for plaintiffs injured in bus accident in Mississippi.

Counsel for a luxury casino in the successful prosecution of a $70 million loss involving construction defect and engineering design claims.

Awards & Recognitions

ALM Law.com, "Legal Innovator" Award (Southeastern Legal Awards (2023))

Super Lawyers® Magazine, Georgia Super Lawyers List, Civil Litigation Defense (2020-2021, 2024)

Super Lawyers® Magazine, Georgia Risings Stars List, Civil Litigation Defense (2017-2018)

ALM Daily Report's "On the Rise" (2018) https://www.wwhgd.com/newsroom-news-288.html

Professional & Community Activities

Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, member

American Bar Association, member

Atlanta Bar Association, member

Defense Research Institute, member

Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA), member

News & Publications

"Litigating 'Invisible' Injuries: The Defense of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Claims," Inside Medical Liability (Fourth Quarter, 2018). Co-author.

Juvenile Products Manufacturers' Association 50 State Compedium - Georgia portion, (2013). Co-author.

"Litigation Alert: Cell Phones as Carcinogens," (National Product Liability Association's Brief) (Australia)(September 2012). Co-author.

“Compliance with Regulations Does Not Shield Manufacturers from Liability,” SGMA In Brief (May 23, 2012).  Co-author.

“Litigation Alert: Cell Phones as Carcinogens,” Defense Research Institute’s The Voice, Vol. 11, Issue 18 (May 9, 2012).  Co-author.

“Exercising Caution After the Big Verdict in Barnhard v. Cybex International, Inc.,” SGMA In Brief (Jan. 4, 2012).  Co-author.

Events & Speaking Engagements

“Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation: Update and Insights on Trends, Exposure, Damages and Strategy,” Claims Litigation Management Annual Conference (2018). 

"Pay Attention! The Changing Nature of Walking and Driving," Claims and Litigation Management Alliance Chicago Chapter Meeting (2016).