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William J. Sheaffer
Email: mail@defenselaw.net

Recognized and highly respected for his creative and innovative defense strategies in problematic criminal cases, Mr. Sheaffer is Board Certified by both the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Florida Bar as a Criminal Trial Specialist. He has extensive courtroom experience, and has achieved successful outcomes in numerous complex, high-profile cases. Quality representation in state and federal court at trial and appellate levels is his hallmark. Mr. Sheaffer’s practice includes a wide range of serious felonies, from murder in the first degree, conspiracy and drug trafficking charges to sex offenses and complex white collar crime cases. Mr. Sheaffer is a regular legal advisor on criminal law issues for the local media and is a frequent legal commentator for Orlando’s ABC news affiliate. His cases have been covered by Court TV, and he regularly appears on local and national news and talk shows. Mr. Sheaffer has been profiled in the Orlando Business Journal as one of central Florida’s Power Players and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America as well as Martindale Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Who’s Who in American Law, Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World. Mr. Sheaffer was featured in the evening news series, “Shoot, Don't Shoot!” and the subsequent award-winning, one-hour special.

Education: JD 1978, Nova University; BA 1975 cum laude, University of Central Florida.

Admitted: 1978 Florida; 1978 Florida Sup. Ct.; 1979 U.S. Dist. Ct. (M. Dist. FL); 1981 U.S. Dist. Ct. (N. Dist. FL); 1981 U.S. Dist. Ct. (S. Dist. FL); 1981 U.S. Ct. App. (5th Cir.; 11th Cir.); 1983 U.S. Sup. Ct.

Employment History: Private Practice 1980-present, William J. Sheaffer, P.A.; former Felony Prosecutor, Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Professional Associations: Federal Bar Assn.; Federal Trial Lawyers Assn., National Board of Trial Advocacy, ABA; The Florida Bar [Florida Bar Grievance Committee (Vice Chair 1996-98)]; Orange County Bar Assn.; Nat'l Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Florida Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers; ACLU; American Inns of Court (Central Fla. Master); Tiger Bay.

Representative Clients: Mr. Sheaffer’s clients include professional athletes, political figures and elected officials, law enforcement officers, business executives, community leaders, physicians, educators, members of the media, clergy, entertainers and other attorneys.

Community Involvement: United States Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel 1995, 1997 and 1999; Honored by Florida Supreme Court for pro bono work; Guardian Ad Litem of the Year Award 1994; and Award of Excellence 1995 from the Orange County Bar Association for pro bono work on behalf of abused and neglected children.

ISLN: 903800530