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Madeleine McDonough, Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Staff Report//August 15, 2025//

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Madeleine McDonough, Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Staff Report//August 15, 2025//

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Chair, Kansas City

Madeleine McDonoughMadeleine McDonough was elected chair of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in 2017 and was re-elected for another five-year term in 2022. A former clinical pharmacist, she represents multinational companies in a range of industries: pharmaceutical, animal health, medical device, food, cosmetics and beverage.

She advises organizations on preventative litigation approaches, policy and governance issues, emerging international legal developments, creative resolution strategies, risk management, corporate social responsibility and crisis management.

The firm’s revenue grew by 9 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, while equity partner compensation grew by $251 million.  

McDonough said 2024 was a really strong year for the firm, driven by strategic lateral hiring and an expansion in core practice areas, including government investigations, strategic counseling and data privacy. Shook also expanded its contingency fee work last year and strengthened its pro bono commitment.

With notable hires in Los Angeles, Washington D.C, Chicago, Houston and Boston, McDonough said the firm probably now has more attorneys outside of Kansas City than it does in the city.

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