Shannon Minarik joined the firm in 2023 as a Real Estate Transactions Associate in the Prince William office. Her legal experience includes litigation, in which she represented homeowners’ and condominium associations in court. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a managing attorney at prominent Northern Virginia title companies, gaining experience across many facets of Virginia real estate law. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine and earned her Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law.

Thank you for participating in this month’s Employee Spotlight, Shannon! Tell us a little about yourself –

1. What is your current role and how long have you been with the firm?

· Current Role: Associate Attorney in the Real Estate Transactions practice group

2. What is your favorite project that you have worked on?

· The Quartz District, it’s exciting to see something you have had an active role in developing pop up in your backyard.

3. What challenges do you frequently encounter in real estate transactions matters?

· Real Estate Transactions is often a collaboration between many parties all working to obtain a common goal. Working with our client and third parties simultaneously to get everyone on the same page can be challenging, but it’s also what Walsh Colucci does best.

4. What advice would you give someone just starting their career in your field?

· Cultivate good relationships not only with your clients, but with the other parties who have a role in the project. Engineers, surveyors, and local government staff have a profound impact on our work; having good relationships with these individuals can only help a project to go smoother.

5. What is your favorite hobby, activity, or creative outlet?

· If I’m not in the office I am probably out running (I love a good marathon). I also love to paint (albeit on an extremely amateur level).

6. What’s one skill (work-related or not) you’ve always wanted to learn, and why?

· I’ve always wanted to learn to play acoustic guitar. I grew up on MTV Unplugged and always loved the stripped down sound of tracks I knew by heart.

7. Who or what inspires you professionally and/or personally?

· Professionally, our recently retired partner Dave Bomgardner. He is the perfect example of someone who walked softly, carried a big stick, and worked vehemently to protect his clients’ best interests.

· Personally, Keira D’Amato. An incredible marathoner who didn’t break onto the professional stage until she was almost 40 years old. It’s never too late to unlock your potential.

8. What aspects of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh make you proud to work here?

· The willingness of attorneys of other practice groups to assist one another. So often the practices of land use, litigation, and real estate transactions intersect, it’s great to know there are knowledgeable attorneys across all practice groups who are willing to collaborate to get the best outcome for the client.

Thank you, Shannon!