Shannon Arata

Shannon is an environmental attorney primarily focused on representing individuals, community groups, and nonprofits in regulatory and permitting matters in North Carolina. Before moving into private practice, she spent several years as a staff attorney with the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Clinic, where she first learned of ECWA and its mission to protect and enhance Ellerbe Creek. 

Shannon also teaches the Animal Law course at Duke Law School and volunteers with various attorney groups on good government, environmental, and civil rights projects. She previously served on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission, and as the Chair of the Air Quality Committee. She has lived in Durham since 2010 with her partner and many feline friends. 

Shannon has a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis & Planning and B.A. in Spanish from U.C. Davis, and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law.