William J. Sheppard

William J. Sheppard, a board certified criminal trial lawyer, has established a reputation as a preeminent criminal defense, civil rights and appellate attorney during his nearly 50 years practicing law by committing both himself and his practice to his clients’ cases. Both icon and iconoclast, Mr. Sheppard is known for representing the famous, the infamous, and the unknown alike. Throughout his career, he has fought at every level of the judicial system for individuals’ protections against violations of their rights, whether by searches, internet or other electronic surveillance, restrictions on freedoms of speech and religion, or violations of the constitutional rights of the incarcerated and accused. He has litigated virtually every type of criminal case, from death penalty cases to complex white collar defense.

Mr. Sheppard prepares meticulously for any task at hand. He understands that only the most extensive preparation will result in effective representation of his clients. In order to be thorough, Mr. Sheppard also makes sure that he knows and understands his clients, as well as the circumstances that have resulted in their need for legal representation. Whether a case must be fought in the courtroom or resolved through negotiation, Mr. Sheppard brings nothing short of the most thorough preparation, skill and diligence for the protection of his clients’ interests.

After serving as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army in Korea, Mr. Sheppard graduated from the University of Florida College of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the Florida Law Review. Mr. Sheppard began his legal career in the fields of real estate and banking, before founding his own firm, which he dedicated to the pursuit of criminal defense and civil rights advocacy.

Mr. Sheppard has litigated Florida’s landmark statewide jail and prison conditions case on behalf of inmates in the county, municipal jails and state prisons in the State of Florida, producing substantial improvements to the provision of adequate care for those in custody.  He has also established himself as a distinguished criminal defense lawyer, having litigated countless constitutional issues on behalf of his criminally accused clients.  From issues relating to the Fourth Amendment to questions litigated under the Fourteenth Amendment, Mr. Sheppard’s knowledge of the law is encyclopedic.  To witness Mr. Sheppard’s impact on the law, one needs to look no further than his nearly 400 published opinions.