Shannon's Deal was based in part on the experiences of executive producer Stan Rogow as a lawyer in the 1970s. Representing poor people, Rogow never wanted to go to court because he knew he would lose going up against corporate law firms with huge resources.
Based partly on Stan Rogow's legal career from the 1970s, where he represented impoverished individuals, Shannon's Deal was shaped. Rogow avoided going to court as he recognized his inability to win against powerful corporate law firms with ample financial backing.