Shannon K. Briggs is a Partner at DDV Law, Ltd. and a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her practice focuses on guardianships, special needs planning, elder law, estate planning, and probate and estate administration. Shannon is widely respected for her work in complex guardianship matters, where she skillfully guides families through difficult legal and medical decision making while ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive protection, dignity, and the highest quality care.
Shannon has built a reputation as a formidable advocate in guardianship proceedings. She regularly handles complex and contested cases involving financial protection, medical decision making, and safeguarding individuals from exploitation. Courts frequently rely on her judgment and experience, and she is often appointed by the Cook County courts to serve as Guardian ad Litem to investigate and protect the interests of individuals with disabilities. Her ability to combine legal precision with compassion and practical problem solving has made her a trusted resource for families facing life changing circumstances.
A significant portion of Shannon's work is devoted to advocating for children and young adults with disabilities. She is deeply committed to helping families navigate the complicated systems that affect their children's education, services, and long term stability. Shannon works closely with families to advocate for appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 plans so that students receive the services, accommodations, and therapies necessary to succeed in school and prepare for adulthood. She understands that strong advocacy during a child's school years is often the first step toward independence and long term stability.
Shannon is equally passionate about helping young adults with disabilities successfully transition into adulthood while maintaining access to essential public benefits. She regularly assists families in navigating the Medicaid system and Supplemental Security Income rules so that individuals with disabilities can receive necessary healthcare, services, and financial support without jeopardizing eligibility. Through thoughtful special needs planning, including the design and administration of special needs trusts, Shannon helps families provide financial support to their loved ones while preserving eligibility for critical government benefits.
Shannon's leadership in the field is widely recognized. She was recently published in IICLE's Adult Guardianships, Advance Directives, and Mental Health Law 2021 and 2025 Editions, where she authored Chapter Two titled The Appointment Process. She has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Rising Star each year since 2022, an honor awarded to fewer than three percent of attorneys in the state.
Shannon also serves on the faculty of the National Business Institute, where she teaches other attorneys about the probate process and the complex tax issues that arise in guardianship and probate administration.
She remains an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Illinois Continuity of Care South Suburban Chapter. In addition, she is an accredited attorney authorized to represent clients before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A lifelong Chicagoan, Shannon enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time with family and friends.
