Shannon Ragland (no possums were harmed -- well he didn't harm them) has been at the jury verdict business since 1997. His law career started a little bumpy in 1995 (read the Courier-Journal profile from 2005 with all the details) but he righted the ship in 1997 when he founded the Kentucky Trial Court Review. It was success right away and in 2000, the Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter followed. Alabama premiered in 2001 and then Tennessee in 2004. Louisiana and Mississippi started the same week in 2011. Shannon has been at this now almost 30 years.
We are thousands of verdicts in now in 2025 and still looking forward to the future. Its changed a bit too. In the old days we dug out the verdict at the courthouse. A lot of records are online today, but not always. Think Memphis! It's in the dark ages, but that's another story.
The Courier-Journal profile in 2005 by Andy Wolfson
Along the way Shannon Ragland wrote a book or two. The Thin Thirty in 2007 was probably the most notable, chronicling the 1962 football team at the University of Kentucky.
There was a lot going on back then. A few reviews from that time are included below.
What is Shannon Ragland up to these days? He coached middle school basketball and girls cross country for many years. His girls are now grown (one runs track at Tulane) and another now works at the College of Charleston.
He splits his empty nest time these days hanging out with his wife, reading verdicts and traveling a bit here and there.
Have you tried a case in KY, IN, AL, TN, MS or LA -- shoot him an e-mail -- sragland@juryverdicts.net. Shannon would be happy to hear from you.