overview

Shepard Davidson is a partner and former co-chair of the firm’s Business Litigation Group. His practice spans all manner of business disputes, including complex business torts, contract claims, non-compete litigation, and issues involving closely held businesses. He has extensive experience in all phases of civil litigation. He has tried cases in the Massachusetts Superior and District Courts and U.S. District Court and argued before Massachusetts Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court.

Shep recognizes that what is of greatest concern for his clients is not the legal process but the results – and he uses his knowledge of the law to help them achieve those business objectives. “I focus on helping my clients achieve their overarching business objectives by developing legal strategies that go beyond simply trying to win the lawsuit,” Shep says. “Indeed, I have handled many cases in which how the matter was litigated was as important to my client, or even more important, than winning or losing.”

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education

J.D., Northeastern University, 1990

B.A., Swarthmore College, 1986

admissions

Massachusetts

honors & awards

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)

experience

  • Prevented a radio talk-show host from going to a rival station in breach of his employment agreement.
  • Obtained an arbitration award of over $2,000,000 for an individual who sued one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
  • Obtained a preliminary injunction, precluding four former employees of an international software company from breaching their covenants not to compete with the company.
  • Obtained the reimbursement of all of this client’s legal fees after successfully defending an unfair trade practices claim.
  • 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.

memberships

American Bar Association

Massachusetts Bar Association

articles

articles

“Is Your Website ADA Compliant and Should It Be?” Corporate Counsel, September 2018

“4 Liquidated Damage Provision Drafting Mistakes To Avoid,” Commercial Contracts Law360, November 2017

“Careful Drafting of Non-Competes and Other Restrictive Covenants Can Save the Day,” The In-House Advisor, January 2017

“Eliminating Non-Competes May Hurt the Commonwealth,” BetaBoston, May 2014

“Non-Competes in Mass. Not Silicon Valley’s Gain,” Boston Business Journal, February 2013

quotes

“Q&A with Burns & Levinson Attorney Shepard Davidson on Business Contract Disputes,” CityBiz, February 2024

“With Court Authorization, Litigators Discover Remote Depositions,” Law Technology Today, December 2020

“Non-Competition Agreements,” Radio Entrepreneurs, July 2014

“Battle for Ban on Non-Competes Brings Backers to Beacon Hill,” Boston Magazine, July 2014

“Gov. Patricks Calls Case Against Non-Compete Agreements ‘Compelling,'” Boston Business Journal, March 2013

speaking engagements

“So You Want To Be a GC…” Webinar Host, Burns & Levinson’s Business Litigation Group, January 2023

“Access for All: ADA-Compliant Virtual Meetings & Events,” Presentor, Burns & Levinson’s Business Media Group, January 2021

“Why CEOs Should Care if Their Website Is ADA Compliant,” Host & Moderator, The In-House Advisor Webinar, November 2020

“The Attorney-Client Privilege: Beyond the Basics,” Presenter, Commercial Law Web Advisor Webinar, October 2018

“Drafting Contracts to Avoid (or Better Position Yourself for) Tomorrow’s Disputes,” Faculty, MCLE Contracts Conference, March 2016

“Damages Under Massachusetts Law: The Evolving Landscape,” Faculty, MCLE Business Litigation Conference 2016, January 2016

“Closing the Deal: Balancing Risk with Opportunity in Today’s Contracts,” Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Seminar, October 2015

“Negotiating Enforceable Liquidated Damages Clauses in Business Contracts,” Faculty, Strafford Publications Webinar, June 2015

“Securing the Workplace: Practical Approaches to Protecting Confidential Information, Trade Secrets, and Intellectual Property,” Moderator, The In-House Advisor Seminar, June 2014

“Deals Gone Bad,” Speaker, MCLE 12th Annual Business Litigation Conference, January 2013

“Lessons in Attorney-Client Privilege,” Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel Northeast Chapter Panel Discussion, November 2012