History of Kannon Shanmugam in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 29, 2025

Kannon Kumar Shanmugam is a prominent American lawyer specializing in litigation at the U.S. Supreme Court. A partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, he holds several leadership positions within the firm, including co-chair of the litigation department and chair of the Supreme Court and appellate practice group. Shanmugam also chairs the firm's Washington, D.C. office. He was considered a potential nominee for Solicitor General or a judicial position during the Trump administration.

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Full Timeline

November 15, 1972: Kannon Shanmugam Born

On November 15, 1972, Kannon Kumar Shanmugam was born. He is an American lawyer known for his litigation at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Others born on this day/year

1989: Graduated Lawrence High School

In 1989, Kannon Shanmugam graduated from Lawrence High School as co-valedictorian at age 16.

1993: Graduated from Harvard University

In 1993, Kannon Shanmugam graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in classics. He was also editor-in-chief of The Harvard Independent.

1995: Received Master of Letters degree from Keble College, Oxford

In 1995, Kannon Shanmugam received a Master of Letters degree in classics from Keble College, Oxford, after winning a Marshall Scholarship and spending two years in England.

1998: Graduated from Harvard Law School

In 1998, Kannon Shanmugam graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude. He was an executive editor of the Harvard Law Review and won the Ames Moot Court Competition.

1998: Law Clerk for J. Michael Luttig

In 1998, after graduating from law school, Kannon Shanmugam became a law clerk for judge J. Michael Luttig of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

1999: Law Clerk for Antonin Scalia

In 1999, Kannon Shanmugam clerked for Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia.

2000: End of clerkship with Antonin Scalia

In 2000, Kannon Shanmugam concluded his clerkship with Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia.

2004: Assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General

In 2004, Kannon Shanmugam became an assistant to the U.S. Solicitor General.

2008: Joined Williams & Connolly

In 2008, Kannon Shanmugam joined the law firm of Williams & Connolly, where he built the firm's Supreme Court and appellate practice.

2019: Moved to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

In 2019, Kannon Shanmugam moved to the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to become the managing partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office, and chair of its newly established Supreme Court and appellate practice.

2019: Joined Paul, Weiss

In 2019, Shanmugam joined Paul, Weiss in a highly publicized move from Williams & Connolly.

2020: Argued Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

In 2020, Kannon Shanmugam argued on behalf of Seila Law in the landmark case Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before the Supreme Court. The court held that the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was unconstitutional.