History of Shannon Taylor (attorney) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: June 17, 2025

Shannon Taylor is an American attorney currently serving as the Commonwealth's Attorney for Henrico County, Virginia, a position she has held since winning the 2011 election. A graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond School of Law, she has been reelected three times (2015, 2019, and 2023). She is now seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Attorney General of Virginia in the upcoming June 2025 election, marking a potential step into statewide politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 17, 1967: Shannon Taylor's Birth

On November 17, 1967, Shannon Leigh Taylor was born. She is now an American attorney and the incumbent Commonwealth's Attorney for Henrico County, Virginia.

1989: Graduated from the University of Virginia

In 1989, Shannon Taylor graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree, majoring in international relations.

1995: Received Juris Doctor from University of Richmond School of Law

In 1995, Shannon Taylor received her Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law.

1999: Served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office

In 1999, Shannon Taylor served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office.

2002: Served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office

From 2002 to 2004, Shannon Taylor served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office.

2004: Served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office

From 2002 to 2004, Shannon Taylor served as Special Assistant in the United States Attorney's Office.

2004: Served as Special Counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury

From 2004 to 2008, Shannon Taylor served as Special Counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury.

2008: Served as Special Counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury

From 2004 to 2008, Shannon Taylor served as Special Counsel for the Richmond Multi-Jurisdictional Grand Jury.

2009: Matthew Geary Campaigning Since 2009

Matthew Geary, a law school classmate and opponent of Shannon Taylor, had been campaigning for Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney since 2009.

August 11, 2011: Announced Candidacy for Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney

On August 11, 2011, Shannon Taylor announced her candidacy for the 2011 Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney election.

2011: Elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney

In 2011, Shannon Taylor announced her campaign and won the Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney election against Bill Janis and Matthew Geary.

2013: Requested Special Prosecutor for Joe Morrissey Case

In 2013, Shannon Taylor requested a judge to appoint a special prosecutor for the case involving Joe Morrissey and his sexual relationship with a minor, citing the need for public confidence in the proceedings.

2014: Felony Charges Filed Against High School Students

In 2014, Shannon Taylor's office pursued felony charges against eight high school students for a prank using chocolate syrup, rice, flour, and eggs, which drew criticism for being excessively punitive. The case highlighted concerns about racial disparities in school disciplinary practices, where Black students, comprising 39% of the student population, accounted for 80% of school-related arrests.

2015: Ran Unopposed in the Democratic Primary

In 2015, Shannon Taylor announced she would run for a second term as Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She later faced Republican Tony Pham in the general election.

2015: Re-elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney

In 2015, Shannon Taylor was re-elected as Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney.

2016: Investigation of Joe Morrissey

In 2016, Shannon Taylor investigated Joe Morrissey after he exposed himself to a legal client. Although she considered his actions "wrong and unethical", she decided not to press charges.

2019: Won Election Against Owen Inge Conway

In 2019, Shannon Taylor ran for and won a third term as Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney against Owen Inge Conway, a lawyer she had previously fired. Taylor won with 62.68% of the vote.

2019: Re-elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney

In 2019, Shannon Taylor was re-elected as Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney.

June 7, 2020: Announcement of Charges Against Ku Klux Klan Leader

On June 7, 2020, Shannon Taylor announced charges against a man who drove his truck into a crowd of peaceful protesters. The perpetrator was an admitted leader of the Ku Klux Klan. Charges included assault, battery, attempted malicious wounding, and felony vandalism. He was later found guilty and sentenced to six years in prison.

June 2020: Created New Deputy for Police Integrity Position

In June 2020, Shannon Taylor announced that her office would add a new deputy for police integrity to review police use of force accusations and investigate body-worn camera footage, in response to the murder of George Floyd. She appointed attorney Misty Whitehead, a Black Lives Matter supporter, but the funding was later pulled due to concerns about Whitehead's social media posts.

October 2020: Protests at Tony Pham's House

In October 2020, protesters gathered at former rival Tony Pham's house to protest his campaign against immigrants as he had become the Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in August. Many protesters were arrested for trespassing and littering, leading to calls for Taylor to release them.

December 2020: Released Statement Regarding 2021 Attorney General Election

In December 2020, Shannon Taylor released a statement that she would not run for the 2021 Virginia Attorney General election.

January 2021: Endorsed Mark Herring for Attorney General

In January 2021, Shannon Taylor announced that she would endorse Mark Herring, the incumbent attorney general.

2023: Re-elected Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney

In 2023, Shannon Taylor was re-elected as Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney.

2024: Announced Campaign for Virginia Attorney General

In 2024, Shannon Taylor announced her campaign for Virginia Attorney General.

April 2025: Campaign Reports Over $1 Million in Donations

In April 2025, Shannon Taylor’s campaign reported over $1 million in donations, including $650,000 from Dominion Energy.

June 2025: Running for Attorney General of Virginia

In June 2025, Shannon Taylor is running for the Democratic Party nomination for Attorney General of Virginia.

2025: Campaign Advertisement Launched

In 2025, Shannon Taylor's campaign launched an advertisement declaring her to be “the only democrat who has prosecuted a criminal case” and to have “taken on” the NRA and Neo Nazis. Taylor’s prosecution of a white nationalist for using a torch to intimidate counter protesters at a white nationalist rally resulted in a mistrial.