Keith Shannon is a former lawyer, legal educator, and lifelong theater fan. Kara Shannon is his daughter and creative collaborator. In this episode, Kyla speaks with the father-daughter duo about their journey from legal careers and musical soundtracks to launching Fourth Row Center, a podcast celebrating Broadway and family bonds. Their story is a heartfelt reminder that success can look like connection, creativity, and choosing joy on your own terms.
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Keith Shannon is a former practicing attorney who now teaches in the Paralegal Technology Program at Central Piedmont Community College. After working in law firms and serving as a national speaker, he stepped away from legal practice to raise his daughters and discovered his next chapter in education and storytelling.
“I left the practice of law and became an at-home dad to my two daughters... and when they got older, I found my way into teaching," shares Keith Shannon on You Are A Lawyer.
Kara Shannon, Keith’s daughter and co-host, brings humor, insight, and a lifelong love of Broadway to their podcast Fourth Row Center. Together, they created the show as a way to bond over something they love and to share their thoughtful and often hilarious conversations about theater and life with the world.
For Keith, law school represented structure, opportunity, and a way to use his intellect and communication skills. After earning degrees in journalism, he pursued law with a mindset of practicality and eventually turned that experience into a foundation for teaching and mentoring.
“We sat around for three years and just thought deep thoughts… but I found my place in teaching people the practical side of law," reflects Keith Shannon on Episode 202 of You Are a Lawyer.
Kara didn’t attend law school, but she grew up observing her dad's career and his ability to pivot into meaningful work. Their podcast reflects the kind of wisdom and curiosity that law school might teach, but applied with creativity and connection instead of courtrooms.
Keith’s path proves that law degrees aren’t just for litigation. His career as a legal educator, speaker, writer, and podcast host shows how legal training can support flexible and family-focused lives. Rather than following a rigid track, Keith chose to adapt his legal knowledge into something practical and people-centered, teaching paralegal students and inspiring others through storytelling. His journey reflects the versatility of a legal education, one that can shift with seasons of life, personal values, and evolving passions.
“You’re only three conversations away from getting what you want," shared Keith Shannon on Episode 202 of You Are a Lawyer.
Together, Keith and Kara demonstrate that storytelling is at the heart of both law and theater. Whether you're interpreting legislation or dissecting a Broadway plot twist, it's all about clarity, curiosity, and communication.
Launching a podcast wasn’t just a fun hobby for Keith and Kara, it was a way to stay connected, be creative, and invite others into their world of Broadway fandom. What started as casual chats about shows turned into Fourth Row Center, a podcast that’s part review, part family banter, and part love letter to the stage.
“We started the podcast and love it together, so why not? And it gives us an excuse to chat a little bit,” Kara Shannon shares in Episode 202 of You Are a Lawyer.
This father-daughter side hustle is a reminder that legal professionals can (and should) pursue joy. Whether you're behind a mic or in the audience, there's power in showing up fully—as a parent, partner, or creative collaborator.
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Keith is licensed to practice law in the states of Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Learn more about Keith | Fourth Row Center
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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