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.
Influenced by Stan Rogow's legal work from the 1970s, where he represented disadvantaged clients, the plot of Shannon's Deal was crafted. Rogow avoided court proceedings because he understood that his cases would likely be lost against well-funded corporate law firms.