Shepard Davidson

Partner

Shep advises clients ranging from small businesses to multinational companies on all manner of civil litigation and business disputes.

Shepard Davidson

Shep advises his clients on complex business torts, contract claims, non-compete litigation, and disputes involving closely held businesses. His extensive experience in all phases of civil litigation includes trying cases in Massachusetts Superior and District Courts and U.S. District Court and arguing before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Shep’s experience also includes guiding clients through arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution.

Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Shep was a partner, Executive Committee member, and former co-chair of the Litigation practice at a mid-sized law firm in Boston.

Client Work

Shep’s representative matters include:

  • Represented a radio station in a breach of employment agreement involving a radio talk show host.
  • Obtained an arbitration award of over $2,000,000 on behalf of an individual in a matter involving one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
  • Representing an international software company, obtained a preliminary injunction precluding four former employees from breaching their non-compete covenants with the company.
  • Successfully defended an unfair trade practice claim and obtained full reimbursement of the client’s legal fees.
  • Obtained a damages award of $700,000 for clients who sued a real estate developer for failing to complete their custom home in a timely manner.

Publications, Presentations & Recognitions

Publications

  • Quoted in “Q&A with Burns & Levinson Attorney Shepard Davidson on Business Contract Disputes,” CityBiz, Feb. 2024
  • “Is Your Website ADA Compliant and Should It Be?” Corporate Counsel, Sept. 2018
  • “4 Liquidated Damage Provision Drafting Mistakes to Avoid,” Commercial Contracts, Law360, Nov. 2017
  • “Careful Drafting of Non-Competes and Other Restrictive Covenants Can Save the Day,” The In-House Advisor, Jan. 2017
  • Quoted in “Non-Competition Agreements,” Radio Entrepreneurs, Jul. 2014
  • Quoted in “Battle for Ban on Non-Competes Brings Backers to Beacon Hill,” Boston Magazine, Jul. 2014
  • “Eliminating Non-Competes May Hurt the Commonwealth,” BetaBoston, May 2014
  • Quoted in “Gov. Patricks Calls Case Against Non-Compete Agreements ‘Compelling,’” Boston Business Journal, Mar. 2013
  • “Non-Competes in Mass. Not Silicon Valley’s Gain,” Boston Business Journal, Feb. 2013

Presentations

  • “The Attorney-Client Privilege: Beyond the Basics,” Presenter, Commercial Law Web Advisor Webinar, Oct. 2018
  • “Drafting Contracts to Avoid (or Better Position Yourself for) Tomorrow’s Disputes,” Faculty, MCLE Contracts Conference, Mar. 2016
  • “Damages Under Massachusetts Law: The Evolving Landscape,” Faculty, MCLE Business Litigation Conference, Jan. 2016
  • “Closing the Deal: Balancing Risk with Opportunity in Today’s Contracts,” Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Seminar, Oct. 2015
  • “Negotiating Enforceable Liquidated Damages Clauses in Business Contracts,” Faculty, Strafford Publications Webinar, Jun. 2015
  • “Deals Gone Bad,” Speaker, MCLE 12th Annual Business Litigation Conference, Jan. 2013
  • “Lessons in Attorney-Client Privilege,” Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Chapter Panel Discussion, Nov. 2012

Recognitions

  • BTI Consulting Group Client Service All-Star (2023)
  • AV® Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers (2008-2023)
  • Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Go-To Business Litigation Lawyer (2022)
  • Litigation Counsel of America – Fellow (Elected 2014)

Boards, Memberships & Certifications

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Massachusetts Bar Association

Life Beyond the Law

Shep grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts. In undergrad, he was a five-time NCAA Division III All-American tennis player. He now lives in North Andover, Massachusetts, with his wife, two daughters, and little black pug, Lola.

  • Bar & Court Admissions
    • Massachusetts Bar
  • Education
    Northeastern University, JD, 1990
    Swarthmore College, BA, 1986

Perspectives