Stanback Law Firm, PLLC was founded in 2011 by Shonnese D. Stanback. Formerly the managing partner of Seagroves & Stanback, PLLC, Shonnese gained the valuable experience of learning to balance the management of a small practice law firm, and providing hands-on case management. Shonnese has practiced as a family law attorney since 2000, and has focused on helping her clients find the most efficient and practical way to navigate the mine field that can be separation and divorce in North Carolina. Having a love of both sports and entertainment, and a background as a musician, Shonnese decided it was time to combine her passion for the law with her first loves, sports and entertainment. With more than 18 years of legal experience, Shonnese is excited to have the opportunity to help family law clients and sports and entertainment clients reach a resolution.
Story and Experience
Shonnese D. Stanback is a 1993 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, and a minor in Afro-American Studies. While at UNC, Shonnese was a member of the Marching Tar Heel Band, and served the first African-American female Drum Major/Field Conductor for the band. After graduation, Shonnese worked in the telecommunications world in technical support and program coordination.
Shonnese attended law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law, graduated in 2000, and was licensed by the North Carolina State Bar the same year.
Trained in family and divorce mediation and collaborative divorce law, she has taught continuing legal education courses on Collaborative Divorce Law, and has mediated divorce settlements.
After many years of practicing family law, she found herself with new opportunities to utilize her Bachelor’s degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures, and decided to expand her practice into Sports and Entertainment law and management. Shonnese is now an Authorized Athlete Representative for USA Track & Field, representing professional track and field athletes around the world. Recently, she also completed work on a television pilot script, an original screenplay, a screenplay adaptation and is working with a director on a documentary film. In June 2019, Shonnese also completed the University of California at Los Angeles’ Professional Screenwriting Course, and has written 3 feature length screenplays. She plans to continue her studies of filmmaking with directing and producing courses, while working on another screen thriller.
Shonnese is a member of the 10th Judicial District Bar, and has served as a volunteer and past board member for SAFEchild, an organization in Wake County, North Carolina whose mission is to “Stop Abuse For Every Child.” She was also a member of the Junior League of Raleigh, and an active member of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., an international service organization. Shonnese participates annually in many community service projects, including walks and races to raise money for mental health awareness, the March of Dimes, and breast cancer research. As an avid sports fan, you will often find her rooting for her favorite college basketball team, the Tar Heels of course, or enjoying a football game or track and field meet. For fun, Shonnese is a certified group fitness instructor, and teaches boxing for fitness, “plays” (notice the quotes) golf and relaxes at her favorite spa. She is also an accomplished pianist, violinist, singer and percussionist. Sadly, she’s too old for American Idol!
When a new client leaves her office, Shonnese hopes that they will be more informed of their legal rights and obligations, and comfortable in the knowledge that no matter their situation, they can always come out a stronger, happier person.
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.” ~Harvey Fierstein
