Shanus ADR - A Career Built on Results
For over three decades, Stuart Shanus has mastered complex commercial disputes from every vantage point—as trial lawyer, business executive, and dedicated neutral.
Career Built on Results
The Trial Lawyer
As a partner at Reed Smith LLP and managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles and Century City offices, Stuart served as first chair in high-stakes trials and arbitrations nationwide. His matters regularly involved high-stakes disputes, multi-week hearings, and the intersection of law with sophisticated business operations.
- First chair jury trial experience in state and federal courts
- Lead counsel in multi-month AAA arbitrations involving technology licensing
- First chair in FINRA proceedings for major financial institutions
- Lead trial counsel in ICC international arbitrations
- Complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts nationwide
The Business Leader
Stuart’s former executive roles provide invaluable commercial perspective:
President, Brazos Licensing & Development
Directing international patent portfolio monetization and enforcement strategy across multiple sectors
Chief Legal Officer, True Velocity
Managing global legal strategy, intellectual property portfolios, and dispute resolution for an industry innovator
General Counsel, Wade & Company
Leading all legal matters for an investment firm, including serving as lead trial counsel in complex commercial arbitrations
The Dedicated Neutral
In 2025, Stuart founded Shanus ADR to focus entirely on what he does best: guiding sophisticated parties to resolution through expert mediation and arbitration. This isn’t a retirement practice or a side venture. It represents Stuart’s full commitment to delivering what courts often cannot: hyper-focused attention, active case management, and timely resolution.
The Person Behind the Practice
Colleagues and clients know him for his preparation, his ability to quickly grasp complex situations, and creatively finding common ground where others see only conflict. His approach combines intellectual rigor with practical judgment, intensity with appropriate humor, and unwavering professionalism with genuine empathy.
- J.D., George Washington University Law School
- B.A., Boston College (Omicron Delta Epsilon - National Economics Honor Society)
- State Bar of California (1997)
- State Bar of Illinois (1989)
- Former Board Member Los Angeles Urban League
- Board of Trustees, the Campbell Hall School, Chair of Advancement Committee, Member of Executive Committee
- J.D., George Washington University Law School
- B.A., Boston College (Omicron Delta Epsilon - National Economics Honor Society)
- State Bar of California (1997)
- State Bar of Illinois (1989)
- Former Board Member Los Angeles Urban League
- Board of Trustees, the Campbell Hall School, Chair of Advancement Committee, Member of Executive Committee