Civil Rights Trial | Wayne County Sheriff Deputy
The very first trial Shawn did with this office involved an off-duty Wayne County sheriff deputy who beat up a client. The case went to trial and resolved in a multimillion-dollar settlement.
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Shawn Cabot
Civil Rights Attorney | The Michigan Legal Center, Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates
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Who Shawn Cabot Is
Shawn Cabot is a civil rights attorney at Michigan Legal Center who has spent more than 20 years helping people across Michigan stand up to unfair treatment and government misconduct.
Shawn credits his father, a union worker, and his mother, a waitress at a small diner, with showing him the value of hard work. Growing up in a tight-knit family, he learned early that persistence, preparation, and a strong work ethic can shape the course of a person's life.
Shawn's commitment to civil rights is personal, and something he has wanted to fight for even as a kid.
Why He Does This Work
Shawn is driven by a desire to help people who have been personally affected by civil rights issues and unfair treatment. His commitment to protecting the rights of others is personal. After experiencing bullying as a child, he learned early what it means to be targeted, unheard, and forced to stand up for himself.
"I was kind of always picked on as a kid," said Shawn. "It made me want to fight for myself and promote what I believed. This stuck with me to adulthood when I began fighting for other people who were victimized or not given the same opportunities as others."
How Shawn Cabot Works With Clients
Shawn understands that when people need a lawyer's help, they do not just need someone to memorize the law and regurgitate it back to them. People who are fighting to protect their civil rights need someone who will listen, understand what is at stake, and help them move forward.
"The first thing that's important in dealing with clients is to listen to them and be understanding," said Cabot. "People don't come into our office because they're on a winning streak. They come here because something bad has happened, and at times, nobody's listening to them."
His Record
Federal Court Injury Case | Movie Theater Lift
A teenager working at a movie theater was in a lift hanging banners when the correct supervision and maintenance had not been done on the lift. She fell and broke open her head. Shawn tried the case in federal court, the case resolved, and the client was very happy.
Police Case | One Plaintiff Lawyer Against Three Defense Attorneys
In one police case, Shawn was the only lawyer on the plaintiff's side and won against three opposing lawyers. It was one lawyer for the plaintiff versus three defense attorneys, and the plaintiff got a verdict.
Personal Injury | Rental Vehicle Ramp
A ramp fell out of a rental vehicle and injured a client's knee. Several other attorneys turned him down. He came to the firm with a very short timeframe before the statute of limitations expired, and the case reached a favorable resolution.
Practice Areas
Shawn specializes in Section 1983 litigation, which means that he helps people with claims made against government officials. Clients come to Shawn when their civil rights have been violated by police officers, public school employees, or other state actors.
- Civil rights
- Police brutality
- Section 1983 litigation
- Personal injury
Education and Bar Admissions
- B.A., University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Political Science and English
- J.D., Detroit Mercy Law School
- Licensed: State of Michigan
- Licensed: North Carolina
- Admitted: United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Admitted: All Michigan federal courts
- Admitted: Supreme Court of the United States
Michigan Roots
Originally from Manistee, Michigan, Shawn grew up in a working-class family and was active in the arts as a young man.
His musical talents started in kindergarten when he performed in a Christmas musical and sang "The Candy Cane Kid" and went on to grow as a performer from there. In high school, Shawn continued his interest in singing. He was selected as one of Michigan's top ten male high school vocalists.
Outside the Office
Those early experiences in music and performance helped shape Shawn's voice, confidence, and ability to advocate for others. The same strengths now show up in courtrooms where Shawn pushes back against unfair treatment and government misconduct.