Education
- Florida State University, B.S., Criminology and Criminal Justice (1993)
- Keiser College, Paralegal Degree (1994)
- Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law School, J.D. (1997)
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator, Family and Civil Court (2007)
- Family Law Collaborative Law Certification (2012)
Experience
Owner 2014-Present
Shields Family Law, PA
Wilton Manors, Florida
All family law matters, including divorce, child custody, timesharing, alimony, child support, paternity, domestic violence, restraining orders, dependency and other issues required to prosecute and defend family law matters and cases together with handling enforcement, contempt and to uphold court decisions. Court appointed guardian ad litem to investigate and report to the court on matters concerning the best interests of minor children. Family Law mediator for pro-se clients and represented litigants. Collaborative Law representation for parents, parties and domestic issues.
Partner
Klauber & Shields, P.A. 2003-2014
Plantation, Florida
Only partner and lawyer to handle all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, timesharing, alimony, child support, paternity, domestic violence, restraining orders, dependency and other issues required to prosecute and defend family law matters and cases together with handling enforcement, contempt and to uphold court decisions. Court appointed Special Public Defender in Juvenile Dependency cases to represent the parents or guardians charged with abuse, neglect and abandonment of children and as a Special Public Defender for criminal conflict cases. Appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem on multiple cases. Family Law mediator for pro-se clients and represented litigants. Collaborative Law representation for parents, parties and domestic issues.
Associate Attorney
Shafer & Associates 2002-2003
Boca Raton, Florida
All family law matters, including divorce, child custody, timesharing, alimony, child support, paternity, domestic violence, restraining orders and other issues required to prosecute and defend family law matters and cases together with handling enforcement, contempt and to uphold court decisions.
Associate Attorney 2000-2002
Shelowitz, Shelowitz and Terrell, P.A.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Criminal defense including trial for felony and misdemeanor matters. All family law matters, including divorce, child custody, timesharing, alimony, child support, paternity, domestic violence, restraining orders and other issues required to prosecute and defend family law matters and cases together with handling enforcement, contempt and to uphold court decisions. Court appointed Special Public Defender in Juvenile Dependency cases to represent the parents or guardians charged with abuse, neglect and abandonment of children and as a Special Public Defender for criminal conflict cases.
Assistant Public Defender
Office of the Public Defender, 17th Judicial Circuit 1997-2000
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Juvenile, Misdemeanor and Felony divisions for representation of clients charged with criminal offenses and violations of the law together with violations of probation and pre-trial release. Represented clients in restitution hearings. Juvenile, Misdemeanor and Felony trial experience. Trial experience of over 30 trials including jury trials. Post-conviction relief. Member of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County Juvenile Justice Board.
Professional Affiliations
- Emeritus, American Inns of Court, Stephen R. Booher American Inn of Court 1997 (Program Committee Chair for 13 years)
- Collaborative Family Law Professionals of South Florida since 2014
- Member of the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Board Member 2024
- Member of MyCollaborativeTeam
- Chair of Florida Bar Grievance Committees 17H 2009 and 17 E 2022
- Florida Bar Grievance Committee 17H 2007 (3 year term) and 17E 2020 (3 year term)
- Listed in the “Top Lawyers in Florida” since 2013
- Recognized by the Lawyers of Distinction since 2020
- Florida Bar Family Law Section Rules & Forms Committee member
- Florida Bar Family Law Section Children’s Issues Committee member
- Prior Committee Member Florida Bar Domestic Violence Committee member
- Board Member St. Thomas Moore Society since 2012
- Juvenile Mediation Program Shepard Broad Law 1996
- Family Law Section, Florida Bar since 2003
- Criminal Law Section, Florida Bar 1999 to 2005
