Shook Welcomes 15 Law School Graduates this Fall
Shook, Hardy & Bacon is pleased to announce that 15 law school graduates have joined the firm. The new additions are located in three cities with juris doctorate degrees from nine law schools across the country.
Houston, Texas
Palak J. Shah joins Shook Houston’s Intellectual Property practice. She earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center (2015). While there, she was the president of the Intellectual Property Student Organization and the publications editor for the Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law. Shah is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional. While in law school, Shah worked as a patent engineer for an intellectual property boutique firm in Houston, where she drafted more than 10 software patent applications spanning natural language processing to memory management, and led three inventor disclosures and two examiner interviews. Shah received her Bachelor of Science in computer engineering with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin (2012).
Kansas City, Missouri
Jordan A. Carter joins the Global Product Liability group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During her time there, she was the executive note and comment editor for the Kansas Law Review and served as a teaching assistant in the Lawyers Program. Prior to attending law school, Carter worked as a Corps member at MATCH Charter Public Middle School in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, where she tutored students in math and English. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in women and gender studies and psychology from Washington University in St. Louis (2011).
Mitchell F. Engel joins the Tort group at Shook. He received his J.D. summa cum laude from Creighton University School of Law (2013). While in law school, he was a staff member of the Creighton Law Review and earned eight CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. Prior to joining Shook, Engel was a law clerk for Justice Gary A. Fenner, U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, for two years. Engel earned his Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Iowa (2010) and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and English and a minor in computer science from Gustavus Adolphus College (2008) in St. Peter, Minn.
Jason Rhae Harmon joins Shook’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation group. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). While in law school, he participated in the University of Kansas Intramural Competition, where he placed first in oral argument and best brief. Harmon was also a staff editor of the University of Kansas Law Review. He attended Utah Valley University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and minors in Spanish and Portuguese (2012).
Elizabeth Lucas joins the Intellectual Property group. She earned her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Law (2013). While there, Elizabeth was the lead articles editor for the Missouri Law Review and the treasurer of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. She won the John D. Lawson Prize for Best Work in Contracts, the Judge Roy W. Harper Prize for Best Work in Constitutional Law and four CALI Awards. Before Lucas joined Shook, she was a law clerk for the Hon. Patricia Breckenridge, Missouri Supreme Court, for two years. Lucas graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in biological science (2010).
K. Ross Merrill joins the Tort group at Shook. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law (2015). During his time there, he was a staff member at the UMKC Law Journals. Merrill also won Top Oralist at the 1L Oral Argument Competition. Prior to attending law school, Merrill held a variety of positions relating to law. He was a law clerk at Dickens Law and an intern in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania (2011).
Paul Mose joins the Tort group in Kansas City. He received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During his time there, he was the secretary for the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, an officer in the Hispanic American Law Student Association and the note and comment editor for the University of Kansas Law Review. Mose was also honored with the James P. Mize Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award, the CALI Award in Civil Procedure and Complex Litigation and he was awarded Top Oral Advocate, Best Brief and Tournament Winner at the Moot Court In-House Competition. He graduated cum laude from Emporia State University with a Bachelor of the Arts in communication studies (2012).
Mary Olson joins Shook’s Global Product Liability group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During her time at KU Law, Olson served as an articles editor on the Kansas Law Review. Olson also placed third in the University of Kansas Moot Court Competition, served on the KU Moot Court Council, and represented her university at a national moot court competition. Prior to attending law school, Olson managed the assisted living facility at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, Kansas. While there, she ensured compliance with state regulations and led a staff in providing person-first care to over forty residents. Olson earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kansas (2009).
Alexandra Pratt joins Shook’s Global Product Liability group. She graduated with her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law (2015). During her time there, she won the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in legal analysis, writing, and research; and the Best Brief for the State and Appellate Advocacy, and was invited to be a member of the College of Law’s national moot court traveling team. Pratt was also actively involved with the Iowa Law Review, the Van Oosterhout-Baskerville Moot Court Competition, Trial Advocacy and the Notable American Trials: Trial Skills Seminar. Prior to law school, Pratt was an archives volunteer at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, Missouri. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Kansas (2011).
Daniel J. Schwaller joins the Business Litigation and Corporate Services group. He received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (2015). During Schwaller’s time there, he was a teaching assistant for the Legal Research and Writing Program and an intern for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Prior to attending law school, Schwaller worked as a technical sales consultant for AT&T, where he managed complex landline telephone and internet sales. He earned his Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Kansas (2007).
Daniel M. Staren joins the Intellectual Property group at Shook. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (2015). While in law school, he was a research editor at the Arizona State Law Journal. Staren earned a Master of Science in molecular biology from Loyola University (2012) and graduated from the University of Illinois with his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in biological sciences (2009).
Keith A. Starr joins Shook’s Business Litigation and Corporate Services group. He graduated with his J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law (2015). While there, he served as the associate managing editor of the Missouri Law Review. Starr was a finalist and top ten oral advocate at the 1L Moot Court, finalist at the Polsinelli Fall Moot Court, and a quarterfinalist at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition. Starr earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City (2012) and his Bachelor of Arts in physical education and psychology from Benedictine College (2009).
Alyse M. Zadalis joins the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation group at Shook. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). While working toward her law degree, she served as both a publication editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and a member of KU Law’s Moot Court Council. She also represented the school in an international moot court competition. Prior to attending law school, Zadalis was a Research Project Specialist at the University of Kansas’ Institute for Policy & Social Research. From 2009 to 2011, Zadalis served as a member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in Vicksburg, Mississippi. There she led a team of nine through their travel and community service in 11 locations throughout the southern United States. Zadalis earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and a minor in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C. (2008).
Tampa, Florida
Anitra F. Raiford joins Shook Tampa’s Tort group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (2012). While earning her law degree, Anitra served as the executive editor and productions chair for the Journal of Law and Public Policy, the national director of membership for the National Black Law Students Association, and the director of communications for the Honor Code Committee. Before joining Shook, Raiford was a law clerk to the Hon. Sheri Polster Chappell, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida for the last two years. Raiford also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Stephan P. Mickle, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Florida (2009).
Melaina Tryon joins the Global Product Liability group in Shook’s Tampa office. She received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law (2015). During her time at Stetson, she was an assistant executive editor for the Stetson Law Review, a member of the Stetson Moot Court Board and a judicial intern to the Hon. James D. Whittemore. She was also a member of the national champion team and was named Best Oralist at the 2015 Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship. Before attending law school, Tryon was an administrative assistant to senior corporate counsel, investment banking at Raymond James and Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English (2011).
Houston, Texas
Palak J. Shah joins Shook Houston’s Intellectual Property practice. She earned her J.D. cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center (2015). While there, she was the president of the Intellectual Property Student Organization and the publications editor for the Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law. Shah is also a Certified Information Privacy Professional. While in law school, Shah worked as a patent engineer for an intellectual property boutique firm in Houston, where she drafted more than 10 software patent applications spanning natural language processing to memory management, and led three inventor disclosures and two examiner interviews. Shah received her Bachelor of Science in computer engineering with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin (2012).
Kansas City, Missouri
Jordan A. Carter joins the Global Product Liability group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During her time there, she was the executive note and comment editor for the Kansas Law Review and served as a teaching assistant in the Lawyers Program. Prior to attending law school, Carter worked as a Corps member at MATCH Charter Public Middle School in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, where she tutored students in math and English. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in women and gender studies and psychology from Washington University in St. Louis (2011).
Mitchell F. Engel joins the Tort group at Shook. He received his J.D. summa cum laude from Creighton University School of Law (2013). While in law school, he was a staff member of the Creighton Law Review and earned eight CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. Prior to joining Shook, Engel was a law clerk for Justice Gary A. Fenner, U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, for two years. Engel earned his Master of Arts in mathematics from the University of Iowa (2010) and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and English and a minor in computer science from Gustavus Adolphus College (2008) in St. Peter, Minn.
Jason Rhae Harmon joins Shook’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation group. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). While in law school, he participated in the University of Kansas Intramural Competition, where he placed first in oral argument and best brief. Harmon was also a staff editor of the University of Kansas Law Review. He attended Utah Valley University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business management and minors in Spanish and Portuguese (2012).
Elizabeth Lucas joins the Intellectual Property group. She earned her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Missouri School of Law (2013). While there, Elizabeth was the lead articles editor for the Missouri Law Review and the treasurer of Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. She won the John D. Lawson Prize for Best Work in Contracts, the Judge Roy W. Harper Prize for Best Work in Constitutional Law and four CALI Awards. Before Lucas joined Shook, she was a law clerk for the Hon. Patricia Breckenridge, Missouri Supreme Court, for two years. Lucas graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in biological science (2010).
K. Ross Merrill joins the Tort group at Shook. He earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law (2015). During his time there, he was a staff member at the UMKC Law Journals. Merrill also won Top Oralist at the 1L Oral Argument Competition. Prior to attending law school, Merrill held a variety of positions relating to law. He was a law clerk at Dickens Law and an intern in the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and economics from the University of Pennsylvania (2011).
Paul Mose joins the Tort group in Kansas City. He received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During his time there, he was the secretary for the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, an officer in the Hispanic American Law Student Association and the note and comment editor for the University of Kansas Law Review. Mose was also honored with the James P. Mize Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award, the CALI Award in Civil Procedure and Complex Litigation and he was awarded Top Oral Advocate, Best Brief and Tournament Winner at the Moot Court In-House Competition. He graduated cum laude from Emporia State University with a Bachelor of the Arts in communication studies (2012).
Mary Olson joins Shook’s Global Product Liability group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). During her time at KU Law, Olson served as an articles editor on the Kansas Law Review. Olson also placed third in the University of Kansas Moot Court Competition, served on the KU Moot Court Council, and represented her university at a national moot court competition. Prior to attending law school, Olson managed the assisted living facility at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, Kansas. While there, she ensured compliance with state regulations and led a staff in providing person-first care to over forty residents. Olson earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Kansas (2009).
Alexandra Pratt joins Shook’s Global Product Liability group. She graduated with her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law (2015). During her time there, she won the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in legal analysis, writing, and research; and the Best Brief for the State and Appellate Advocacy, and was invited to be a member of the College of Law’s national moot court traveling team. Pratt was also actively involved with the Iowa Law Review, the Van Oosterhout-Baskerville Moot Court Competition, Trial Advocacy and the Notable American Trials: Trial Skills Seminar. Prior to law school, Pratt was an archives volunteer at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, Missouri. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Kansas (2011).
Daniel J. Schwaller joins the Business Litigation and Corporate Services group. He received his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law (2015). During Schwaller’s time there, he was a teaching assistant for the Legal Research and Writing Program and an intern for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri. Prior to attending law school, Schwaller worked as a technical sales consultant for AT&T, where he managed complex landline telephone and internet sales. He earned his Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Kansas (2007).
Daniel M. Staren joins the Intellectual Property group at Shook. He earned his J.D. cum laude from Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (2015). While in law school, he was a research editor at the Arizona State Law Journal. Staren earned a Master of Science in molecular biology from Loyola University (2012) and graduated from the University of Illinois with his Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in biological sciences (2009).
Keith A. Starr joins Shook’s Business Litigation and Corporate Services group. He graduated with his J.D. from the University of Missouri School of Law (2015). While there, he served as the associate managing editor of the Missouri Law Review. Starr was a finalist and top ten oral advocate at the 1L Moot Court, finalist at the Polsinelli Fall Moot Court, and a quarterfinalist at the National Veterans Law Moot Court Competition. Starr earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City (2012) and his Bachelor of Arts in physical education and psychology from Benedictine College (2009).
Alyse M. Zadalis joins the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation group at Shook. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law (2015). While working toward her law degree, she served as both a publication editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and a member of KU Law’s Moot Court Council. She also represented the school in an international moot court competition. Prior to attending law school, Zadalis was a Research Project Specialist at the University of Kansas’ Institute for Policy & Social Research. From 2009 to 2011, Zadalis served as a member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in Vicksburg, Mississippi. There she led a team of nine through their travel and community service in 11 locations throughout the southern United States. Zadalis earned a Bachelor of Arts in international studies and a minor in business administration from American University in Washington, D.C. (2008).
Tampa, Florida
Anitra F. Raiford joins Shook Tampa’s Tort group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (2012). While earning her law degree, Anitra served as the executive editor and productions chair for the Journal of Law and Public Policy, the national director of membership for the National Black Law Students Association, and the director of communications for the Honor Code Committee. Before joining Shook, Raiford was a law clerk to the Hon. Sheri Polster Chappell, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida for the last two years. Raiford also served as a law clerk to the Hon. Stephan P. Mickle, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Florida (2009).
Melaina Tryon joins the Global Product Liability group in Shook’s Tampa office. She received her J.D. from Stetson University College of Law (2015). During her time at Stetson, she was an assistant executive editor for the Stetson Law Review, a member of the Stetson Moot Court Board and a judicial intern to the Hon. James D. Whittemore. She was also a member of the national champion team and was named Best Oralist at the 2015 Andrews Kurth Moot Court National Championship. Before attending law school, Tryon was an administrative assistant to senior corporate counsel, investment banking at Raymond James and Associates in St. Petersburg, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in English (2011).
