Shannon L. Peak
Associate

Shannon Peak is an associate at Shannon & Wright LLP where she represents clients in business and real estate transactions, as well as business and real estate litigation.

Shannon’s practice involves representing clients across the spectrum of real estate issues and all phases of civil/commercial litigation, including but not limited to commercial project planning and development, construction defects, contractual disputes, eminent domain, land use, and condemnation proceedings.

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Shannon represents clients in state and federal court and regularly appears on behalf of clients in administrative and regulatory proceedings. She also represents clients through mediation and arbitration proceedings. Shannon has extensive experience preparing for, taking, and defending depositions of witnesses, including expert witnesses during litigation.

Prior to joining Shannon & Wright LLP, she served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative where she worked on tariff monitoring an enforcement, in addition to working at a local boutique law firm, and a Top 20 AM firm where she also focused on real estate and construction litigation.

Outside of work, Shannon enjoys spending her leisure time on outdoor recreation, cooking, and visiting family in her native Georgia.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Virgina
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • District of Columbia

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Virginia Women Attorneys Association, Board Member & Social Chair (2022-2023)
  • Arlington Young Lawyers Association, President (2021-2022)
  • Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Member
  • Arlington Bar Association, Member
  • Fairfax Bar Association, Member
  • Alexandria Bar Association, Member

Publications and Speaking Engagements

  • Co-Author, “Please… SIGN HERE – The Validity of E-Signatures,” AIA Northern Virginia News, Issue 3, 2021
  • Co-Author, “Issues with Remote Depositions & Hearings & How to Overcome Those Hurdles,” Virginia Lawyer, Vol. 69, No. 6, April 2021
  • Presenter, “Practice Management – AIA Contract Review Documents,” ARE Prep Seminars 2022, The Young Architects Forum of AIA Northern Virginia, March 2022
  • Presenter, “Contracts, Construction Documents, and Licensing Obligations,” and “Ethics and Standards of Practice,” AIA Northern Virginia Emerging Leaders in Architecture 2022 Honors Academy, March 2022

Education

  • Georgia College & State University, B.A.
  • American University Washington College of Law, J.D.

Awards and Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers® Ones to Watch, Construction Litigation – 2024
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Business Litigation, Virginia – 2023
  • Legal Elite, Young Lawyer, Virginia Business Magazine – 2023
  • Top Attorney-Litigation, Arlington Magazine – 2022

Marc Pasekoff

Marc E. Pasekoff
Counsel

Marc Pasekoff is a seasoned litigator with noteworthy experience in the state courts, federal courts, and administrative agencies in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Marc dedicates his practice to employment, real estate, business, and commercial litigation. In these disputes, he has advised project owners, carriers, developers, contractors, design professionals, and individuals in all phases of contested matters. Additionally, his practice includes representation of federal and private sector employees and employers before EEOC, MSPB and federal/state agencies involving various claims and appeals of discrimination and proposed disciplinary actions. His experience includes litigation regarding Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, state wage claims, and whistleblower/retaliation claims.

Since joining Shannon & Wright, his noteworthy litigation accomplishments include:

    • Via demand letter and subsequent communications detailing allegations of fraud and inability to convey good, marketable and insurable title, secured return of sizeable earnest money deposit and release for proposed sale of $1.5M real property and improvements located in Fairfax County.
    • After persuading Arlington County Circuit Court judge to overrule demurrer and plea in bar in a declaratory judgment, easement and property damage/conversion case, negotiated compensatory and detailed non-compensatory damages settlement agreement in a long-running, contentious dispute between Penthouse Owner and Unit Owners Association.
    • Defeated Agency’s Motion for Summary Judgment regarding disparate treatment (race/color) and hostile work environment claims and mediated a settlement (exceeding settlement official’s original authority) which included substantial monetary damages, full reimbursement of attorney’s fees and full restoration of annual leave for current federal employee.
    • On the strength of a demand letter, secured significant pre-filing settlement against national trade organization on behalf of former employee alleging sex discrimination, hostile work environment, wrongful termination and violation of Virginia’s recently modified wage theft statute.
    • Negotiated pre-discovery settlement, including compensatory damages, reimbursement of attorney’s fees and “clean record” after amending former federal employee’s discrimination/retaliation charges over Agency opposition to include post-Report of Investigation removal from federal service.
    • After defeating Agency’s Motion for Summary Judgment at the EEOC in an age and sex discrimination case for former federal employee, obtained substantial settlement that included back pay, interest, lost TSP contributions, leave payout, reimbursement of attorney’s fees and health insurance enrollment/benefits.
    • Awarded judgment in contested Fairfax County bench trial and recovered earnest money deposit, pre-judgment interest and reimbursement of attorney’s fees.
    • After defeating Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss in race discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation under the False Claims Act (federal and Maryland) in case filed in federal court in Maryland, negotiated a significant settlement which included compensatory damages, reimbursement of attorney’s fees and social media non-disparagement agreement.
View Full Bio for Marc E. Pasekoff

Throughout his career, Marc has developed creative solutions and ardently represented his clients. Not only does he have first chair trial experience, but he also understands that a negotiated resolution may be a more practical and better result for a client. Consequently, he uses both common sense and legal knowledge to build consensus in reaching a desired outcome, or shape litigation with aggressive strategies that maximize results. Detail-oriented, creative and proactive in every case in which he is involved, Marc instills trust and confidence in the clients for whom he works.

He is a graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A. 1988, Psychology with Honors) and the University of Florida College of Law (J.D. 1991) where he served as a Member of the Law Review.

Practice Areas

  • Business
  • Employment
  • Litigation
  • Real Estate

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida (inactive)
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court of Maryland
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Virginia

Education

  • University of Virginia, B.A.
  • University of Florida College of Law, J.D.

Awards & Recognition

  • Legal Elite, Labor/Employment Law, Virginia Business Magazine – 2023 & 2022
  • Top Attorneys, Employment (Employee), Arlington Magazine – 2023 & 2022

Seth B. Royster
Associate

Seth Royster is an associate at Shannon & Wright LLP, where he represents clients in estate planning/administration, business law, real estate, and civil/commercial litigation.

Seth serves as a trusted advisor to his clients on guardianship and conservatorship matters and guides fiduciaries through common issues that can arise when serving in those roles. Seth’s litigation experience includes representing clients in both General District and Circuit Courts throughout Virginia in real estate disputes, elder law matters, and commercial matters. With over five years of experience practicing law, Seth is licensed in both Virginia and North Carolina.

View Full Bio for Seth B. Royster

Prior to attending law school, Seth spent several years working for Virginia based law firms, which included working as an auditor for the City of Portsmouth Commissioner of Accounts.  In 2017, Seth graduated from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University, obtaining his Juris Doctorate degree.

Seth is a believer in community involvement and has served on multiple nonprofit boards. When not at work, Seth is with his wife exploring the local food scene and attending live sporting events.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • North Carolina

Education

  • East Carolina University, B.S.
  • Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, J.D.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Alexandria Bar Association

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Restoration Cases: The Role of the Guardian Representative”, Virginia Public Guardian & Conservator Program Annual Training (Oct. 2022)

Awards & Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers®, Trusts and Estates, Elder Law – 2024
  • Legal Elite, Young Lawyer, Virginia Business Magazine – 2023
  • Top Attorneys, Trusts & Estates, Arlington Magazine – 2023

Roy Shannon

Roy R. Shannon
Partner

Roy Shannon is a founding partner at Shannon & Wright LLP where he represents clients in Real Estate and Business Transactions, as well as Civil/Commercial Litigation.

Roy’s Real Estate practice involves representing clients in all levels of real estate transactions, land use proceedings, eminent domain, condemnation proceedings, commercial landlord-tenant issues, contractor disputes, construction defects, and all aspects of real estate disputes.

His Business practice includes representing individuals and businesses in entity formations, transactions (consolidation, acquisition, sales of assets, sale of business, and dissolution), fiduciary responsibilities, corporate governance, business litigation (shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, and valuation difference), and dispute resolution.

View Full Bio for Roy R. Shannon

Roy has extensive experience representing clients in state and federal court at both the trial and appellate levels. He appears on behalf of clients in administrative and regulatory proceedings. He also represents clients in alternative dispute resolutions proceedings: arbitration and mediation.

Prior to entering private practice, Roy served as Clerk of the Court for the U.S.C.G. Court of Criminal Appeals for three years. Roy is a native of the Washington area, where he attended St. Johns College H.S. He currently lives Alexandria with his wife and their five children. Roy spends his time outside the office maximizing his free time by coaching / watching youth sports, attending / volunteering at school and community activities, and enjoying family road trips.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • Virginia Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Education

  • The Catholic University of America, B.A.
  • George Mason University Antonin Scalia School of Law, J.D.

Professional & Community Affiliations

  • Chair, Alexandria Community Services Board (2014-2019)
  • Member, Alexandria Community Services Board (2009-2019)
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Virginia State Bar (Real Property Section, Business Section, & Litigation Section)
  • Virginia Bar Association (Real Estate Section, Business Section, & Civil Ligation Section)
  • Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® Attorney Roundtable
  • Alexandria Bar Association
  • Loudoun County Bar Association
  • Fairfax Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers®, Land Use & Zoning, Real Estate, Litigation – 2024
  • Super Lawyers, Real Estate, Virginia – 2023 – 2021
  • Legal Elite, Real Estate/Land Use, Virginia Business Magazine – 2023 – 2020
  • Top Attorneys, Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning, Arlington Magazine – 2023, 2022 & 2019
  • Pro Bono Co-Counsel of the Year Award, Legal Services of Northern Virginia – 2020
  • Top Lawyer, Northern Virginia Magazine – 2019

 

 

 

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • Resolving Boundary Disputes in Virginia, National Business Institute (NBI), September 2022
    – Using the Top Methods to Resolve Boundary Line and Encroachment Disputes
    – Using the Top Methods to Tackle Easement Disputes
  • The Attorney’s Complete Guide to Curing Title Defects, National Business Institute (NBI), April 2022
    – Troubleshooting Boundary, Survey, and Encroachment Issues
    – Easements, Access Issues, Restrictions, and Conditions
  • Road and Easement Law from A to Z– April 2018
    – An Easement Case – Litigation and Trial Preparation
  • Land Use and Zoning Law– July 2017
    – Planning Board/Zoning Board of Appeal Hearings and Challenging Adverse Decisions
  • Land Use Law: Current Issues in Subdivision, Zoning and More– July 2016
    – Analyze the Land Subdivision Process
  • Real Estate Litigation in Virginia– May 2016
    – Litigation Issues Arising in Real Estate Transactions
    – Pretrial Considerations in Real Estate Litigation
  • Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law– July 2015
    – Challenging or Appealing an Administrative Zoning Decision
  • Landlord-Tenant Law in Virginia– September 2014
    – Panel Discussion
  • Litigating Disputes Over Easements and Restrictive Covenants– April 2014
    – Investigation: What Crucial Evidence Are You Looking For?
    – Drafting Descriptions and Agreements to Avoid Disputes
    – Case Law Update
  • Advanced Trial Tactics– June 2013
    Opening Statements and Direct Examinations

Mark J. Sullivan
Counsel

Mark Sullivan has more than 20 years of combined experience in private practice and at the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for Fairfax County. His practice areas include Business (formation, transactions, compensation, and disputes), Civil/Commercial Litigation, and Real Estate matters.

Although a Northern Virginia native, Mark grew up and went to school in Cleveland Ohio and returned to the area after attending law school. He began his career as an associate at a Northern Virginia firm where his practice focused on commercial construction contracts, drafting commercial leases, general contract review and negotiation, and enforcement and maintenance of his client’s intellectual property rights. He advised clients in the formation and maintenance of corporate entities including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, and non-profit entities. Mark handled complex litigation in both state and federal courts while at the firm. During his tenure at the firm he was promoted to partner.

View Full Bio for Mark J. Sullivan

Mark left the private practice in order to serve the public as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County. During his tenure with the Fairfax County prosecutor’s office, he prosecuted numerous felony cases including murder, rape, robbery, criminal gang offense, fraud, embezzlement, narcotics offenses, as well as various misdemeanor offences.

Mark took a hiatus from the taxing demands of the Fairfax County prosecutor’s office in the middle of his time serving as a prosecutor. During such time, he worked at another D.C. metropolitan law firm advising clients on civil matters including land use, real estate, litigation, construction matters, contracts, and business organizations and transactions.

Today, Mark lives in Oakton with his wife and three sons and enjoys spending his free time coaching his sons in Vienna Youth sports (baseball, soccer, flag football and basketball) and vacationing at Disney.

*Unavailable for representation, extended leave of absence
Practice Areas

  • Business
  • Litigation
  • Real Estate
  • Land Use

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Education

  • Miami University, B.A.
  • Akron University School of Law, J.D.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Fairfax Bar Association
  • Member, Alexandria Bar Association

Publications & Speaking Engagements

MWright

Minturn Wright
Partner

Minturn Wright is a founding partner at Shannon & Wright LLP where he primarily focuses his practice in Real Estate transactions and Litigation matters.

Minturn’s two-plus decades of experience as a lawyer have been almost equally divided between real estate transfers and other transactions on the one hand, and litigation (principally real estate, tax appeals and tax sales, civil rights, and insurance defense) on the other. He also has had experience dealing with environmental issues, business entities (corporations, limited liability companies, and the like), and trademark issues, particularly licensing.

View Full Bio for Minturn Wright

Minturn has worked at firms ranging from large international firms to small boutiques. Most recently, he was at Rich Rosenthal Brincefield Manitta Dzubin & Kroeger, LLP, where he concentrated in real estate and business issues, and affiliated with a property tax consultancy, working against over-taxation. In addition, he has done pro bono work for a wide range of non-profit and governmental organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions, Girls on the Run, and a number of charitable foundations.

Minturn earned a B.S. in biology and lettered in crew at Yale. He earned an M.S. in biology from the University of Southern California on the way to law school at U.S.C. His law dissertation concerned the ownership of Antarctica and its natural resources. After finishing law school, Minturn completed his graduate work, earning a Ph.D. in biology, also from U.S.C. His work centered around natural antibiotics from marine invertebrates and on the larvae of calcareous tubeworms. His scientific background enables him to understand many issues quickly and allows for creative approaches and thinking in his legal work.

Minturn has been invited to speak at a number of Continuous Legal Education events and to organize CLE courses.

In addition to being a lawyer, Minturn serves on charitable boards, makes guest presentations at local schools, has taught college-level material, has written articles for scientific journals, and has participated in a number of academic and professional conferences and research expeditions. He is a big believer in participatory democracy, and probably will not be in the office on Election Day.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • District of Columbia
  • California
  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of California
  • United States District Court for the Central District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court

Education

  • Yale University, B.S.
  • University of Southern California, J.D., M.S., Ph.D

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Fairfax Bar Association
  • Member, Alexandria Bar Association

Awards & Recognitions

  • Legal Elite, Real Estate/Land Use, Virginia Business Magazine, 2023 – 2020
  • Top Attorneys, Real Estate, Arlington Magazine, 2023 & 2022

Publications & Speaking Engagements

Christopher Wright

G. Christopher Wright
Partner

Christopher Wright is a founding partner at Shannon & Wright LLP in Alexandria Virginia where he represents clients in the areas of Tax Planning and Tax Compliance, Planning & Transactions; Wealth Planning; Estate & Trust Administration, and Business Transactions.

Chris is both an Attorney and a Certified Public Account. He brings over eighteen years’ experience in corporate finance and accounting to the practice of law.

View Full Bio for G. Christopher Wright

He speaks regularly on his areas of practice and is an adjunct professor at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.

Outside of the office, you can often find Chris listening to Frank Sinatra or shopping for a new statement hat.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia
  • Maryland
  • District of Columbia
  • Supreme Court of Virginia
  • United States Tax Court

Certifications

  • Certified Public Accountant

Education

  • East Carolina University, B.S.
  • The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, J.D.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Chair, Senior Services of Alexandria (2022-2024)
  • Treasurer, Senior Services of Alexandria (2020-2021)
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Senior Services of Alexandria (2019-2020)
  • Chair, CLE Committee of the Virginia State Bar Section on Taxation (2023-2024)
  • Chair, Virginia State Bar Section on Taxation (2022-2023)
  • Adjunct Professor, Taxation on Wealth Transfers/Estate Planning, The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (2018 to Present)
  • Past President, Alexandria Bar Association (2019-2020)
  • President, Alexandria Bar Association (2018-2019)
  • Member, Senior Law Day Planning Committee (2015-2019)
  • Chair of Finance Committee, Old Dominion Boat Club (2015-2016)
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Alexandria Bar Association (2014-2018)
  • Member of the Board of Directors, Alexandria Law Library (2014-2018)
  • Chairman, Wills for Heroes Committee, Alexandria Bar Association (2013)

Awards & Recognition

  • Best Lawyers®, Trusts and Estates & Tax Law – 2024
  • Super Lawyers, Estate Planning & Probate, Virginia 2023 & 2022
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, Estate Planning & Probate, Virginia – 2021
  • Legal Elite, Taxes/Estates/Trusts, Virginia Business Magazine – 2023 – 2020
  • Top Attorneys, Tax, Arlington Magazine – 2023 – 2021
  • Top Attorneys, Trusts & Estates, Arlington Magazine – 2023
  • Donald F. Mela Distinguished Service Award
  • Harry L. Carrico Pro Bono Award

Publications & Speaking Engagements

  • The Pass Through Entity Tax: A SALT Cap Workaround, Taxation Law Reporter, VSB Taxation Law Section Newsletter (Winter 2023)
  • Living Trusts: Forms and Practice (Matthew Bender), Update Contributor (2014 to Present)
  • Top 5 LLC Mistakes to Avoid in Everyday Business Practices, NBI, Inc. (May 2021)
  • LLC Tax Tactics 2021, NBI, Inc. (2021)
  • What to Do with Existing IRA Trusts after the SECURE Act, NBI, Inc. (2020)
  • Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts, Presentation to Autism Society of Northern Virginia (2020)
  • Income Tax Update 2020, Alexandria Bar Association CLE (2020)
  • Planning with Retirement Accounts, Fairfax Bar Association (2019)
  • Individual and Small Business Income Tax Highlights for 2019, Alexandria Bar Association CLE (2019)
  • Navigating Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2018)
  • Impact of President Trump’s Unified Framework on Individual and Pass-Through Taxes, Alexandria Bar Association CLE (2018)
  • Tax Tips for Parents of a Child with Special Needs, Presentation at McLean Bible Church (2018)
  • Individual Tax Deductions, Presentation at Burke Library of Alexandria (2018)
  • Virginia’s New Elective Share, Alexandria Bar Association CLE (2018)
  • Tax Aspects of ABLE Accounts (2018)
  • IRAs in Life and Death, Alexandria Bar Association CLE (2016)
  • Legal Ethics – Medicaid Planning Seminar, NBI, Inc. (2014)