Yana Shapiro: Fierce, Fearless, and Unstoppable 

Yana Shapiro is not your average attorney—she is a force of nature. A woman who entered the U.S. as a wide-eyed teenager, armed with nothing but a dictionary and a determination fierce enough to move mountains, she has carved out a formidable career in the legal world. Now an equity partner at German Gallagher & Murtagh in Philadelphia, she has built a reputation for fighting smart, standing her ground, and proving that resilience is more than just a word—it's a way of life. 

Born in Bratsk, Russia, Yana arrived in the United States in 1994 with her family, no English, and a teenage grudge that fueled an unexpected future. Feeling uprooted from the life she knew, she made an impassioned, although dramatic, vow—she would become a lawyer and sue her own father for moving their family. While she never followed through on the lawsuit (thankfully), that fire didn’t burn out; it ignited a career devoted to navigating the legal maze of workers’ compensation and uncovering fraudsters across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

Her journey was not easy. High school was a battleground where her best friend was a dictionary, and every test felt like a fight for survival. But fight she did. She earned her undergraduate degree at Temple University, then tackled law school at Widener, graduating in 2004. The grind paid off, leading her to German Gallagher & Murtagh in 2005, where she has been sharpening her legal acumen ever since. 

The Underdog Who Champions Underdogs 

What keeps Yana passionate about her work? The chaos, the strategy, and the underdogs she gets to champion. She thrives in a system tangled with red tape, where every victory is earned. She knows what it means to be underestimated, and she’s built her career on proving people wrong. 

One defining moment in her journey? A loss early in her career that should have been a win. While defeat stung, it brought an unexpected gift—an ally. Impressed by her grit, the opposing counsel bought her coffee, and the two women, once adversaries, became lifelong colleagues. That loss didn't just teach Yana about legal strategy; it solidified her belief in camaraderie among women in law. Yes, Marni, if you are reading this, she is talking about you. That coffee turned into a career-long bond. 

A Woman in Law: Breaking Barriers with a Smile and a Steel Spine 

Law has not always welcomed women, and Yana has faced her share of "dinosaurs" in the industry—older attorneys and judges who preferred to pat her on the head rather than hear her arguments. But underestimation has always been her fuel. With a backbone of steel, an unshakable work ethic, and results no one could ignore, she shattered every expectation placed before her. 

Balancing a high-powered career with motherhood is another challenge she has met head-on. Her two boys—wild, loud, and the loves of her life—keep her grounded, while her work keeps her driven. Managing a legal practice, a family, and the never-ending whirlwind of life requires both strategy and surrender. Some days, she nails it. Others, she cries in the car before moving on. Through it all, she is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of her parents, husband, and bonus daughter, who remind her that even warriors need a tribe. 

Proud Moments, Tough Lessons, and the Drive to Keep Going 

Among Yana's proudest achievements? Being named a Philadelphia Super Lawyer. Seeing her name on that list was a full-circle moment for a girl who once couldn't say "hello" in English. It proved that resilience, grit, and stubborn determination can take you anywhere. 

But the journey hasn't been without setbacks: losing cases, missing bedtime stories, and carrying the weight of justice while trying to be present for the people who matter most. When those tough moments hit, she leans on three things: coffee, unrelenting stubbornness, and a playlist of Russian ballads that remind her where she came from. 

Her biggest influence? Ironically, her father—the very man she once wanted to sue. His leap of faith brought their family to the U.S., and his belief in her strength still echoes in everything she does. 

A Message to Women Entering the Industry 

For women entering law—or any male-dominated field—Yana's advice is simple: Be loud, be prepared, and take up space without apology. The old boys’ club doesn’t own the game anymore, and the sooner women realize that, the better. 

To her, leadership is about carrying the torch while lighting someone else's along the way. She embodies this through mentoring new attorneys, pushing for justice, and somehow juggling work, family, and life's beautiful chaos with a grin (most days). 

Her greatest lesson? You won’t win every fight, but you can always get back up. 

The Heart Behind the Legal Briefs 

What Yana wishes more people understood about her work is that it is not just legal briefs and court appearances but holding hands through hell. Being an attorney means walking alongside people in some of their darkest moments, fighting for fairness in a system that does not always play fair. It's messy, AND it's meaningful. Both things can be true. 

Two decades into her career, Yana is still the same fiery, determined Russian girl at heart—only now, she’s fighting battles that matter. And if you think she is slowing down anytime soon, you clearly don’t know Yana Shapiro. 

One case at a time, Yana proves that resilience is the sharpest weapon of all. 

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