Your Illinois Litigation Partner

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Founding Partner

Shanna N. Valenti is a founding partner of Carter & Valenti LLC, where she represents businesses, insurers, transportation companies, and individuals in complex civil litigation throughout Illinois. 

Shanna's practice encompasses a broad range of civil defense matters, including transportation and trucking litigation, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, construction litigation, commercial disputes, and catastrophic injury claims. She has successfully represented clients through every stage of litigation, from initial investigation and discovery through dispositive motions, mediation, and trial.

Shanna brings over 10 years of experience to the firm, where she approaches every file with the philosophy that thorough preparation drives better outcomes. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail, whether evaluating liability, developing case strategy, preparing witnesses, or briefing dispositive motions. By identifying strengths, weaknesses, and potential exposure early, she helps clients make informed litigation and settlement decisions while avoiding unnecessary expense.

While efficient in her approach, Shanna does not believe efficiency comes at the expense of preparation. She understands that her clients expect counsel who exercise sound judgment, communicate proactively, and are prepared to defend every decision made throughout the life of a case. Her goal is to provide practical recommendations that align with each client's litigation philosophy while maintaining credibility with opposing counsel and the court.

Collaboration is central to Shanna's practice. She works closely with claims professionals, insureds, experts, and co-counsel to develop litigation strategies that are both legally sound and commercially practical. She values responsive communication and believes clients should never be left wondering where a case stands or why a recommendation has been made.

Outside of the courtroom, Shanna loves to spend time with her husband and two daughters, traveling for short weekend get-a-ways or crossing the ocean to explore other countries and cultures. When she's not driving someone to basketball practice, dance class, tumbling, art, etc., she loves to read , go to the gym, and bake tasty treats. 

• Transportation & Trucking Litigation 
• Motor Vehicle Litigation 
• Premises Liability 
• Product Liability 
• Construction Litigation 
• Commercial Litigation 
• Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Defense

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

     Juris Doctrate, cum laude

Westminster College

      Bachelor of Arts

• State of Illinois 
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 
• United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois  

• llinois Defense Counsel 
• DuPage County Bar Association 

Transportation/Trucking

Case: Samanich v. Sanchez Paving Co., et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, IL

Judge: Judge James Michael Varga

Plaintiff's Counsel: Christopher Norem and Cole Munvez of Parente & Norem

Client: Sanchez Paving Co. and Tracy Thompson

Facts: Defendant driver slowly pulled his tractor trailer out of a refinery driveway across Plaintiff's lane of travel. Plaintiff was driving 50 to 55 miles per hour and no traffic control signals controlling his lane of travel. Plaintiff's Jeep ran into the side of the tractor trailer requiring a 90 minute extraction. Plaintiff claimed almost $1 million in medical specials for multiple upper extremity fractures, two spinal fusion surgeries, and emotional distress. Plaintiff asked the jury for $24,500,000 in damages.

Result: Jury verdict of $2,350,000 after 50% off $4,700,000. Defendants' last offer was $4,000,000. Due to a high-low agreement, Plaintiff received $3,500,000.

Case: Cassaro v. McNelly Services, Inc., et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, IL

Judge: Judge Daniel Trevino

Plaintiff’s Counsel: Aaron D. Boeder, Tara R. Devine, & Michael J. Schostok of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard

Client: McNelly Services, Inc. and Miguel Flores

Facts: Defendant driver pulled out of a Chicago neighborhood alley, colliding with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff claimed herniated C5-6 and C6-7 discs requiring two-level disc replacement surgery, mild traumatic brain injury with post-concussive symptoms, and a labral tear in his right shoulder, ($213,000 past medical expenses stipulated, $700,000 future medical expenses). Plaintiff asked jury for over $15,400,000 in damages.

Result: Jury verdict of $229,000 after 50% deduction from $458,000 for Plaintiff’s contributory negligence.

Case: Howard v. A-1 Property Service, Inc., et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Kane County, IL

Judge: Judge Robert Villa

Plaintiff’s Counsel: Palermo Law Group, LLC

Clients: A-1 Property Services, Inc. and Jeffrey Dady

Facts: Plaintiff made a left turn across traffic in Aurora, Illinois. Our client was travelling in the opposite direction and collided with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff contended that northbound traffic was far enough away from the subject intersection to safely make her left turn and that our client was travelling too fast for conditions. We filed a counterclaim for property damage.

Plaintiff’s Demand: $171,000.

Result: A jury verdict was entered in favor of the defendants on Plaintiff’s claim and in favor of our client for the full amount of our counterclaim for property damage.

Commercial/Breach of Contract

Case: O’Sullivan v. DMI, LLC, et al.

Court: Circuit Court of Cook County, IL

Judge: James E. Snyder

Plaintiff’s Counsel: Kopecky Schumacher Rosenburg LLC

Clients: DMI, LLC, Nathan Greiner, C.J. Kuehl, and Bartly Loethen

Facts: Plaintiff claimed a breach of contract and violation of the Illinois Wage Payment Collection Act when he was terminated from his role as interim CEO of DMI, LLC. Defendants won summary judgment on three counts, obtained a directed verdict on seven counts, a defense finding on three counts, and one count in favor of the Plaintiff. The verdict was upheld on appeal.