John W. Shaw, BA '73, MA '77, JD '77

Partner 

Berkowitz Oliver LLP

John Shaw has served as lead trial and appellate counsel in a variety of commercial, product liability, and securities matters. He is a frequent lecturer on mediation and arbitration, as well as a perennial award-winner, regularly ranked among the best in the Kansas City region and the nation. He was named the 2017 Kansas City Lawyer of the Year for Litigation-Regulatory Enforcement and the 2019 Kansas City Lawyer of the Year for Litigation-Securities.

John recently served as the William Francis English Scholar-in-Residence, where he shared his love and knowledge of literature with Mizzou’s students, and he has been a steadfast pillar of the College of Arts and Science through both his volunteer work and philanthropic support. He personally mentors his scholarship recipients and has long-funded two annual teaching awards for graduate students: the William Peden Award for Outstanding Teaching of Creative Writing and the Gil Porter Award for Outstanding Teaching of Literature.

Robert J. Greef Award, Missouri Association of Teachers of English — 1973
Founding Member (former President), English Department Alumni Leaders Board — 1992-Present
Commencement Speaker, College of Arts & Science — 2003
Distinguished Alumni Award, College of Arts & Science — 2005
Missouri 100, University of Missouri System — 2007-Present
Founding Member, Michael A. Middleton Center for Race, Citizenship & Justice Advisory Board — 2021-Present

Shaw has overcome the professional challenges of being “a lawyer who does not play golf,” although he did once drive a golf cart for legendary MU coach Norm Stewart. He and his wife, Cynthia, BS HE `76, are members of the Jefferson Club, Legacy Society, Mosaic Society, Gertrude Marshall Society, and life members of the Mizzou Alumni Association. They have three daughters, all of whom are MU graduates: Katherine, Sarah and Amy.

“Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends.” — W. B. Yeats 