Women’s History Month–Meet the Women of Becker: Shannon Duncanson
In honor of Women’s History Month, Becker is celebrating the incredible women whose expertise, leadership, and dedication elevate both our firm and the clients we serve. This year, we’re proud to highlight the achievements of longstanding women team members across various departments, recognizing their impact and contributions over the years.
Shannon Duncanson is an attorney and government relations consultant in Becker’s Federal Lobbying Practice. She is an alumna of the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows, a non-partisan program that immerses students in key areas of state government. While a fellow, she interned at the Agency for Health Care Administration in the Medicaid Policy Unit. She also previously served as a legal intern for the International Bar Association in London and as an intern at Tallahassee-based think tank, the James Madison Institute.
Q: What advice would you give young women considering a legal career?
A: Maintain your relationships from college, law school, internships, externships, etc. You never know from who or when you may need help in your career! Those relationships can go a long way. I have certainly found that to be true.
Q: If you could have coffee with any woman from history, who would it be and what would you ask her?
A: Not necessarily a historical figure, however, I would choose to have coffee with my mom. She recently passed after long battle with cancer. In addition to being my mom, she is someone who I looked up to professionally. She was a lobbyist as well and taught me so much about being a professional and how to be successful woman in an often-male dominated field. While she gave advice numerous times, I’d love to ask her what the best piece of advice she ever received in her career.
Q: How do you define success—both professionally and personally?
A: I define personal and professional success as similar. Having the trust and respect of my clients, colleagues, friends, and family is how I determine success and what matters to me most.
Q: I am currently reading:
A: I’m a big reader! I usually have several books going on at one time – one physical, one on kindle, and one audiobook. Right now, I’m reading Loved One by Aisha Muharrar (physical), Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven (kindle), and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (audio).
Q: If your life were a movie, what actress would play you?
A: I’ve been told I resemble Kristen Bell so let’s pick her!
