Symone D. Shinton, Esq.
Founding Partner
At the age of fourteen, Symone was sexually abused by an adult member of her local church in her hometown in Florida. Her abuser was imprisoned, and Symone experienced first-hand how the legal process can be its own separate trauma for survivors of sexual abuse. Navigating poverty with her single, immigrant mother, they were unaware that she had a legitimate lawsuit against the church until it was too late. This was not Symone’s first experience with the legal system. Before she started high school, Symone argued at her father’s criminal sentencing hearing. She understood then she was destined to become a lawyer.
Symone graduated valedictorian of her law school in Chicago, achieving academic awards wherever she directed her attention. Enticed by the financial security and intellectual challenge, Symone spent the first seven years of her career working for some of the largest and best corporate defense firms. In that era, Symone learned Fortune 500 companies from the inside out. She became an expert in how these entities protect themselves from high-stakes personal injury lawsuits nationwide. Symone was trusted by those companies to prepare, defend, and take dozens of depositions of C-Suite executives and corporate scientists. She managed teams of lawyers across the nation and collaborated with some of the nation’s best and largest law firms, including litigation that would go on to settle for $12.5 billion. Symone values the relationships and experiences she developed and brings her network and credibility into her current practice when negotiating with companies.
In 2023, Symone transitioned to representing survivors of sexual abuse, feeling called to use her talents to empower and educate disenfranchised individuals who have legitimate claims against companies. Symone has represented over 1,000 survivors of sexual abuse at her prior firm, participating in hundreds of millions of dollars of settlements for the firm’s clients. Symone’s practice concentrates on litigating against the institutions who negligently provide platforms for sexual predators.
In 2025, Symone founded her own law firm to fully devote her practice to holistically empowering survivors of sexual abuse on her own terms. Symone provides a bespoke approach tailored to the unique circumstances and traumas of each client, partnering with them to restore their sense of agency and control through taking legal action. Symone recognizes that the legal process can be its own source of trauma that deters many survivors from coming forward. Symone's survivors can expect transparent representation where they know what to expect and have the choice to actively or passively engage throughout representation. Symone views herself as a translator and a megaphone, but it is always the survivor who is speaking.
Awards & Recognition
Rising Star by Illinois Super Lawyers® (2020-2025)
Emerging Lawyer, Leading Lawyers (2025)
Speaker, Trial Lawyers of Mass Torts (Cabo, 2023)
Chicago Kent College of Law Outstanding Pro Bono Alumni Award (2019)
Best Advocate—Stetson Law National Pretrial Competition (2015)
Ilana Diamond Rovner Award for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy (2016)
CALI Awards for receiving the highest grade in the class: Torts, Products Liability, Trial Advocacy, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Appellate Advocacy, Legislation, Supreme Court Review, Law Literature & Feminism, International Trade Law

The Survivors’ Lawyer
The nation’s choice for ethically empowering survivors of sexual abuse through transparent representation rooted in integrity.
