Colleen F. Shanahan

Colleen F. Shanahan is a Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she leads experiential education efforts. Previously, she served as Vice Dean for Experiential Education at Columbia Law School. Her research focuses on state civil courts, access to justice, and poverty law, using both theoretical and empirical approaches.

Shanahan holds an LLM from Georgetown University Law Center, a JD from Columbia Law School, and an AB from Princeton University. Her clinical teaching emphasizes racial and economic justice, partnering students with community organizations to reform civil and criminal legal systems. Notable advocacy areas include public housing conditions, fines/fees reform, debt collection, and foster care system improvements.

Her scholarly work has been published in top-tier journals like the Columbia Law Review and Harvard Law Review Forum. Articles analyze lawyerless court dynamics, civil procedure reforms, and judicial practices in marginalized communities. While specific award names aren't listed, her clinic’s work on juvenile justice fees earned national recognition.

Shanahan’s career includes litigation at prestigious firms, judicial clerkships, and prior teaching roles at Temple University and Georgetown. Her lab/clinic fosters student engagement in systemic legal reform, blending academic rigor with real-world advocacy.