Shana J. Black was admitted to the California bar in 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her Juris Doctorate from University of San Diego School of Law in 2000, cum laude.

She was a member of the San Diego Law Review, serving with distinction, and a Merit Scholarship Recipient at the University of San Diego School of Law from 1997 to 2000. She has received numerous awards for her legal and community work, including the Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, CALI Award for High Achievement in Trusts and Estates and International Civil Litigation, and recognition by the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program. Prior to entering law school, she taught Macroeconomics, Microeconomics and Econometrics as a graduate assistant and adjunct faculty member.