Odom, R. Gene

Background

Shannon grew up in North Apollo, Pennsylvania. She enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University where she graduated cum laude with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Philosophy. She was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society and participated in the Dance Marathon, the largest national student-run philanthropy which raises funds for the Four Diamonds Pediatric Cancer Fund.

Shannon received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. During law school, Shannon was a law clerk for the Honorable Gustave Diamond of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Honorable John T. Bender of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. As part of her law school training, Shannon has represented clients through the University of Pittsburgh School of Law Civil Practice Clinic where she appealed denials of Social Security benefits.

Professional

Shannon is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA), a specialized certification awarded by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF). Shannon assists clients in all aspects of the Medicaid application process including appeals before the Department of Public Welfare. She is also accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to advise clients regarding veteran compensation and pension claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, Shannon provides counsel for preparation of comprehensive estate plans with specific emphasis in generational succession of wealth. She assists clients with disabilities with Special Needs Trust planning and implementation as well as coordination of public benefits such as SSI, SSDI, Medicare and Medicaid. Shannon is admitted to practice in all Pennsylvania state courts and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Shannon is a frequent speaker for community outreach as well as a recurrent author and presenter of educational programs for attorneys through the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

Personal

Shannon resides in Ben Avon with her husband, Joe and her daughter, Greta. She is an active member of the Ben Avon Club & Foundation, which supports civic and charitable outreach within her community.