Thomas Shannon

Amb. Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. provides strategic counsel to clients across a range of legislative, foreign policy, and national security issues. He brings more than three decades of government service and diplomatic experience to his practice.

Most recently, Amb. Shannon served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third highest ranking position at the State Department. Holding the personal rank of Career Ambassador, he was the highest ranking member of the United States Foreign Service, the country's professional diplomatic corps. During his tenure as Under Secretary, Ambassador Shannon was in charge of bilateral and multilateral foreign policymaking and implementation, and oversaw diplomatic activity globally and in U.S. missions to international organizations.

Amb. Shannon managed the State Department during the presidential transition, led bilateral and strategic stability talks with the Russian Federation, worked with U.S. allies to oversee Iranian compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and expanded US engagement in Central Asia.

Amb. Shannon graduated from the College of William & Mary with a B.A. with high honors in government and politics. He then completed a M.Phil. in 1982 and a D.Phil. in 1983, both in politics, at University College, Oxford. Amb. Shannon speaks both Spanish and Portuguese.