W&L Law to Hold Memorial Reception for Professor Joan Shaughnessy The event will take place Saturday, April 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Main Reading Room, Sydney Lewis Hall.

By Law Communications
March 31, 2025

Washington and Lee University School of Law will host a memorial reception for Professor Joan “Shaun” Shaughnessy during Law Alumni Weekend, April 4-6 in Lexington. The event will take place Saturday, April 5 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Main Reading Room, Sydney Lewis Hall on the campus of Washington and Lee. All are welcome to attend.

Professor Shaughnessy died on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She was 71. Her obituary is available online here.

Professor Shaughnessy concluded her legendary teaching career at the law school in 2023 after nearly 40 years. In a tribute prepared at the time of her retirement, her long-time colleague, Mary Natkin ’85L, professor of law emerita, said, “I don’t think you can name a big thing the university has done that Shaun hasn’t had a role in. She cared about the job. She cared about her students. She is kind of the soul of the place.”

After she retired, Professor Shaughnessy split her time between Lexington and New York City. In her obituary, her family noted that as a fan of opera, museums, theater and ballet, she took full advantage of all New York had to offer. She joined St. Bart’s Episcopal Church, where she was a member of the Usher’s Guild.