Her work focuses on ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct, particularly conflicts of interest. She served as JURIST's Executive Director from 2005 to 2008 and as a senior editor while at Pitt Law. Ms. Shawl advises JURIST on project operations. She received her BA in Government with a minor in Chinese language and literature from the College of William and Mary in 2000 and her JD from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005.