William Shanahan, known in the community as “Shanny” is a lifelong resident of Queens County.

William Shanahan Running for NYC Civil Court Judge in Queens County

William David Shanahan is a lifelong resident of Queens County.

William Shanahan Running for NYC Civil Court Judge in Queens ...

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William Shanahan - Ballotpedia

William lost the 2024 race for the New York City Civil Court, Queens County seat.

2026 New York General Election

He obtained his BS in criminal justice from St. John’s University in Jamaica Queens, and obtained his law degree from Saint’s Law School.

He has spent the past 33 years litigating both criminal and civil cases in New York courts.

He has spent the past 33 years litigating both criminal and civil cases in New York courts.

Straight out of law school he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Nassau County where he worked diligently with police and victims of crimes, prosecuting some of the most serious criminal offenders.

“I never found that making money for other people, so they can get richer, rewarding,” he said, adding that, “This can’t be what life is … basically doing legal research in an office all day and never really getting out there and talking to people.”

After his stint on Wall Street he moved on to work for All-State Insurance, one of the largest insurers in the country, where he spent the next several years as a senior trial litigator, specializing in fraudulent claims.

After his stint on Wall Street he moved on to work for All-State Insurance, one of the largest insurers in the country, where he spent the next several years as a senior trial litigator, specializing in fraudulent claims.

It was in 2005, that Shanahan opened a private general practice, serving communities in Queens and Nassau County, which he runs to this day.

Over the course of his career, he has appeared as a guest expert on various cable news shows including appearances on Fox News and has taken on a number of cases pro bono, fighting for the civil rights of his clients.

“I’ve actually protested with Eric Adams, the mayor, before he was a mayor, on some civil rights cases,” Shanahan told Vision Times.

Currently, Shanahan also serves as a court arbitrator, a quasi judicial role, where he conducts and oversees small claims and civil trials.

Has litigated criminal and civil cases in New York courts for 33 years.

Has litigated criminal and civil cases in New York courts for over 30 years.

Served as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County, prosecuting serious criminal cases and working with police and crime victims.

Worked as a senior trial litigator for All-State Insurance, specializing in fraudulent claims.

Opened a private general law practice in 2005 and continues to serve communities in Queens and Nassau County.

Serves as a court arbitrator, conducting and overseeing small-claims and civil trials.

- Has litigated criminal and civil cases in New York courts for over 30 years.
- Served as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County, prosecuting serious criminal cases and working with police and crime victims.
- Worked as a senior trial litigator for All-State Insurance, specializing in fraudulent claims.
- Opened a private general law practice in 2005 and continues to serve communities in Queens and Nassau County.
- Serves as a court arbitrator, conducting and overseeing small-claims and civil trials.

Legal Experience

In order to inspire more faith in the system, Shanahan says that as a judge he would work tirelessly to ensure every case on his docket is resolved in a timely manner.

“I’m going to make sure that every case that comes before me is given a fair shake and I am going to move my cases,” he said before explaining how he is seeing several cases take upwards of six months to be heard.

Said every case before him would receive “a fair shake.”

- Said every case before him would receive “a fair shake.”

Judicial Philosophy

“I’m going to make sure that every case that comes before me is given a fair shake and I am going to move my cases,” he said before explaining how he is seeing several cases take upwards of six months to be heard.

“I’m not going to let that happen. I’m going to make sure that when I am there, I’m working and I am going to move these cases and make sure that justice is done,” he said, adding that there is a big difference between workflow in the private and public sectors, and that he would take a private sector approach.

Plans to move cases promptly and ensure justice is done.

- Plans to move cases promptly and ensure justice is done.

Judicial Administration

As of October 15, 2026, William David Shanahan did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

William David Shanahan

Took on pro bono cases to fight for clients' civil rights.

As of October 15, 2026, William David Shanahan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Alejandra Gracias

It was in 2005, that Shanahan opened a private general practice, serving communities in Queens and Nassau County, which he runs to this day.

Over the course of his career, he has appeared as a guest expert on various cable news shows including appearances on Fox News and has taken on a number of cases pro bono, fighting for the civil rights of his clients.

Michelle Ann McSweeney-Ortiz

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.

Judge who handles majority of civil cases in New York