Robert M. Shaughnessy is a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. As Shareholder, Mr. Shaughnessy dedicates his practice to all aspects of civil litigation, with a special emphasis in writs and appeals.

A seasoned litigator, Mr. Shaughnessy brings over thirty years of complex law-and-motion and appellate experience to the firm’s Appellate Practice Group and is knowledgeable in a variety of practice areas including business and commercial litigation, employment law, professional liability defense, real estate and construction litigation, technology and data security, and probate disputes. Mr. Shaughnessy counsels clients on appellate matters that can arise at the outset of a case, or following entry of post-trial orders. He has obtained relief and successfully defended judgments for clients at the appellate level through original writ proceedings, and by appeal to the California Courts of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Shaughnessy, who has achieved Martindale’s highest AV®-Preeminent™ rating, helps to prepare clients for a successful appellate process during all phases of litigation from the outset of a case through trial, judgment, post-judgment orders, and in the reviewing court. Mr. Shaughnessy’s extensive law and motion experience allows him to work with trial counsel to successfully resolve many cases early in the litigation process, saving clients the time and expense of a trial. His significant appellate experience allows him to protect a client’s successful trial-court outcome on appeal, or to spot appellate issues and obtain relief when a trial court ruling unfairly prejudices a client’s case.

Mr. Shaughnessy authors articles on various legal topics including the unauthorized practice of law, malicious prosecution, the Unfair Competition Law, and California’s Anti-SLAPP statute. He is a leader in the legal community and in 2020 was elected to serve on the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA)’s Board of Directors. He previously served as the Chair of the SDCBA’s Appellate Practice Section, where he also held past positions as Program Chair and Civil Rules Comment Chair. Mr. Shaughnessy is also an appellate attorney volunteer for pro per appellants and provides procedural guidance for SDCBA’s Pro Bono Appellate Practice Workshop. He is a founding member of the San Diego Appellate Inn of Court, where he holds the rank of Barrister. Mr. Shaughnessy also served as the Senior Membership Chair for the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL). Outside of the legal community, Mr. Shaughnessy served as Board Member to the No Limits Limb Loss Foundation and has served as member of several non-profit organizations.

Mr. Shaughnessy earned his Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from California State University, San Bernardino.

Published Opinions

• Doe v. California Assn. of Directors of Activities (2025) 117 Cal.App.5th 796 [340 Cal.Rptr.3d 641]
• Ramirez v. McCormack (2025) 113 Cal.App.5th 493 [335 Cal.Rptr.3d 447], reh’g denied (Aug. 19, 2025), review denied (Oct. 15, 2025)
• Soto v. Superior Court (2024) 102 Cal.App.5th 429 [321 Cal.Rptr.3d 531]
• Geffner v. Board of Psychology (2024) 100 Cal.App.5th 19 [318 Cal.Rptr.3d 761]
• Hargrove v. Legacy Healthcare, Inc. (2022) 80 Cal.App.5th 782 [295 Cal.Rptr.3d 819]
• Kim v. R Consulting & Sales, Inc. (2021) 67 Cal.App.5th 263 [281 Cal.Rptr.3d 918], as modified (Aug. 27, 2021)
• Genis v. Schainbaum (2021) 66 Cal.App.5th 1007 [281 Cal.Rptr.3d 484]
• Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians v. Associated Pension Consultants, Inc., 854 F. App’x 872 (9th Cir. 2021)
• YDM Management Co., Inc. v. Sharp Community Medical Group, Inc. (2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 613 [224 Cal.Rptr.3d 479]
• Clymer v. Elder, 671 F. App’x 500 (9th Cir. 2016)
• Linda Vista Village San Diego Homeowners Assn., Inc. v. Tecolote Investors, LLC (2015) 234 Cal.App.4th 166 [183 Cal.Rptr.3d 521]

Education

• California State University, San Bernardino (B.A., cum laude)
• California Western School of Law (J.D.)