Shane Blank Joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2013 After Serving As a Summer Associate. Hoping

Shane Blank joined Sandberg Phoenix in 2013 after serving as a Summer Associate. Hoping to expand on his interests in contracts, federal regulations, and military law while in law school, Shane joins Sandberg Phoenix’s Business Litigation and Product Liability Litigation practice groups.

“I’ve always enjoyed difficult, detail-intensive projects and saw an opportunity to engage in those projects on a day-to-day basis at Sandberg Phoenix,” Shane says.

Great client service begins and ends with establishing a rapport with clients, and Shane actively invests himself in his clients’ goals, aiming to ensure a mutually satisfying outcome.

“You absolutely cannot lose sight of the client’s goals. In reaching those goals, it is important to exercise humility and admit when you don’t know, but can find the answer. It is equally important to exercise humbleness and remind yourself, daily if necessary, that your success is part and parcel with the client’s success,” he says.

Outside the office, Shane is very passionate about college athletics, and is particularly devoted to his Mizzou Tigers. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Kelli, their son, Kal, and their daughter, Josephine.

Background

Education

While working full time, Shane received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Missouri State University—where he double-majored in English and psychology. In recognition of his academic performance, Shane earned membership into both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honor society.

Shane went on to earn his Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution at the University of Missouri. He was recognized on the Dean’s List every semester and graduated in the top 15% of his class. While at Mizzou, Shane was the Lead Editor of the nationally-ranked Journal of Dispute Resolution. His article, “Concerning Preemption: Upholding Consent Under the Federal Arbitration Act,” 2012 J. DISP. RESOL. 281 (2012), was published in the 2012 spring edition of the Journal of Dispute Resolution. He was also a member of the Elwood L. Thomas American Inns of Court, the Phi Delta Phi legal honor society, and the Board of Advocates. Shane received two CALI Academic Excellence Awards, including an award for achieving the highest grade point average amongst his peers in military operations law / law of armed conflict (LOAC).

Shane is currently working towards his LL.M. at Washington University in St. Louis, which will focus on Government and Regulatory Law.

Professional Activities
Shane is licensed to practice law in both Missouri and Illinois. He has also been admitted to practice before several federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District and Western District of Missouri, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He is a member of the Missouri Bar, the Illinois Bar, the Bar Association of Madison County, Illinois, and the Eighth Circuit Bar Association.

Shane has authored numerous articles and chapters in statewide and academic publications including: The Journal of the Missouri Bar, The Missouri Bar Deskbook on Local Government Law, the Illinois Business Journal, The Journal of Dispute Resolution, and others. In addition to his authorship, Shane is appointed to two Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Committees, including the Standing Committee on Military Affairs and the Standing Committee on Judicial Evaluations. He was also elected to the Executive Board of the Bar Association of Madison County, Illinois, for the 2016-2017 year and serves as the Chair of the Young Lawyer Committee.

Civic Activities

Shane remains active with the University of Missouri through involvement with the Tiger Scholarship Fund. In addition, Shane is a member of the 2014-2015 class for the Leadership Belleville Program, a program hosted by the City of Belleville, Illinois, to enhance community involvement and effective leadership.

Publications

“Preliminary Versus Permanent Injunctions: A Focused Look at the Distinctions Between Them, 72 J. MO. BAR 254 (Sept.-Oct. 2016)

Shane K. Blank (Author), Chapter 2—Duties, Obligations, and Rights of Municipal Officers and Employees, MO. BAR. LOCAL GOV. LAW DESKBOOK (4th ed. 2016)

Shane K. Blank (Contributor), Chapter 10—Government Tort Liability, MO. BAR. LOCAL GOV. LAW DESKBOOK (4th ed. 2016)

“When Preparing Tax Returns Equals an Illegal Recommendation to Utilize Tax Shelters: The Limits of Professional Liability Coverage,” St. Louis Small Business Monthly (May 2016)

“Supreme Court Mulls Three Cases of Interest to Business,” Illinois Business Journal (Dec. 2015).

“The King’s Court: Demystifying Missouri’s Governmental Immunity Doctrines,” 71 J. MO. BAR. 192 (July-August 2015)

“Concerning Preemption: Upholding Consent Under the Federal Arbitration Act,” 2012 J. DISP. RESOL. 281 (2012)