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Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Chair Madeleine McDonough
Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Staff Report//October 10, 2025//
Kansas City & St. Louis
Madeleine McDonough was recognized as a 2024 Top Managing Partner by Missouri Lawyers Media. She was elected chair of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in 2017 and was re-elected for another five-year term in 2022.
“I had been with Shook for 27 years when I became chair,” she said. “I deeply appreciated both our clients and my Shook colleagues and thought that I might be able to help all of us work together more collaboratively for the benefit of everyone.”
In her practice, McDonough represents multinational companies in a range of industries including pharmaceuticals — where her background as a clinical pharmacist helps her to better understand her clients — animal health, medical device, food, cosmetics and beverage.
McDonough was also recognized as Missouri Lawyers Media’s Woman of the Year for 2024.
McDonough’s advice to young female attorneys looking to follow in her footsteps boils down to confidence.
“Be bold, learn as you go,” she said. “Be committed to the process. Invest in and bet on yourself.”
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