Rusty Shepard

Rusty Shepard

also known as Rudolph Carroll Shepard, Jr.

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Panama City, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Social Security

2612 West 15th Street, Suite B, Panama City, FL

About Rusty

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Shepard Law is focused on results. Mr. Shepard represents people who have been arrested or charged with a crime or are wanted by law enforcement for questioning. Feel free to call Shepard Law's 24/7 Emergency Hotline for a free consultation and case evaluation.

24 years | 5,000 cases

50%
DUI and DWI 25%

24 years | 300 cases

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 25 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2000

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Shepard Law

2612 West 15th Street, Suite B, Panama City, FL, 324011571

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Rusty Shepard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

20 Client Reviews

5 star (20)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Craig Edwards | October 3, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Under a time line!!!

My wife and I found out on a Monday that we needed a Defense Attorney on Tuesday for a family situation. I called the office and Megan quickly contacted Rusty and he reassured us that he would be at court on Tuesday and he would take care of everything. Those words were the most comforting we've hear...d as this came up not long after Hurricane Michael. Rusty and his office has no idea how much he helped us and how much we appreciate their quick response. Thank you will never cover how much you guys mean to us.

Posted by Jessica | September 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Sweetest, kindest, most Professional #1

Mr. Shepard and his staff are amazing! They went above and beyond to help me. I would not want anyone else on my team! I am young and despite that, he made sure that the judge saw me as a person and not just a young person. He and his office even spent extra time with me and attended to every single ...thousand question that I had. They could not get a better rating 10 stars!!

Posted by Lauren | May 3, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Personable and understanding

Rusty is very personable and accommodating. He made himself available on short notice and met with me after hours. He told me not to worry and got everything dismissed in court this morning! Thank you Rusty and Lisa!!!

Posted by anonymous | November 29, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

No Trespass Order

While sitting in my vehicle waiting for the Mall to open up on a sunday, security called Police to have me Trespassed. Although the Police were nice & professional I was still asked to leave. Monday I called Mr Shepard about my plight & I called Mall Operations too. Just by mentioning Mr Shepards ...name alone, the Trespass Order was dropped. I'm just a tourist here for the winter month's that's only been to the Mall 6 times in 2 years never interacting with anyone. To this day, i still don't know what it was all about. Me? Retired & disabled Army Vet.

Posted by Lance Ayers | October 27, 2016 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Referred me to a fantastic lawyer

Mr. Shepard, contacted me soon after I reached out to him on AVVO. He read my message and explained that his practice did not cover minor traffic violations. He referred me to Lisa Ann Anderson who was able to help me. Taking his valuable time to point me to someone who would not be able to be his... client, speaks to his professionalism and integrity. If I am in need of a lawyer for his specialties, he would be my first call for sure!

See All Client Reviews

Rusty Shepard's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Rusty
N. David Shamloo headshot
N. David Shamloo

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. We worked together on a criminal matter where my non-citizen client needed a certain outcome in her criminal matter to avoid deportation from the US. Rusty came through!"

Jean Marie Downing headshot
Jean Downing

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mr. Shepard and his staff truly care about the outcome of their clients' cases! Rusty works well with prosecutors to get the best plea offer! But that doesn't mean he is afraid to take a case to trial if the plea offer isn't acceptable. He's great with a jury, too! I'd hire him if I needed a criminal defense attorney."

Jared Blake Sutherland headshot
Jared Sutherland

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I have worked on multiple criminal law matters with Mr. Shepard. Mr. Shepard is always candid and professional, giving the best advice for every case he takes. If you have a matter involving Criminal Law in Panama City or the surrounding area give Mr. Shepard a call."

Michael Ray Goodson headshot
Michael Goodson

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I met Mr. Shepard when I was a prosecutor in Panama City. Rusty is an outstanding attorney, who fights for his clients. In addition to being an excellent advocate, Rusty is a wonderful father and friend. He understands how criminal cases affect families and truly takes those concerns to heart."

Walter Rudolph Hnot, III headshot
Walter Hnot,

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rusty is an excellent attorney committed to providing the highest quality representation to clients. I endorse this attorney without reservation."

Kimberly Ann Shouppe headshot
Kimberly Shouppe

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Rusty Shepard. He is an professional and dedicated to being an advocate for his clients!"

Adam James Ellis headshot
Adam Ellis

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rusty is a solid lawyer who cares about his clients."

View All Endorsements
Henry Lawrence Perry headshot
Henry Perry

Personal injury lawyer

Adam James Ellis headshot
Adam Ellis

Criminal defense lawyer

Jean Marie Downing headshot
Jean Downing

Criminal defense lawyer

Lisa Ann Anderson headshot
Lisa Anderson

Criminal defense lawyer

Gerard Matthew Virga Jr. headshot
Gerard Virga

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2016

Top 100 DUI Attorneys - North Florida, National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Criminal Law - North Florida), The National Trial Lawyers

2015

Top 100 DUI Attorneys - North Florida, National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Criminal Law - North Florida), The National Trial Lawyers

2015

10.0 "Superb" Rated, Avvo

2015

Nationally Ranked Superior DUI Attorney, The National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2014

Top 100 DUI Attorneys - North Florida, National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Criminal Law - North Florida), The National Trial Lawyers

2014

10.0 "Superb" Rated, Avvo

2014

Nationally Ranked Superior DUI Attorney, The National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers (Criminal Law - North Florida), The National Trial Lawyers

2013

10.0 "Superb" Rated, Avvo

2011

Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, The Florida Bar

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Managing Member, Shepard Law

2004 - 2011

Partner, Appleman, Shepard & Trucks Law Offices, P.A.

2000 - 2004

Assistant State Attorney, Office of the State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuit of Florida

Associations

2015 - Present

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (14th Judicial Circuit)

Chapter Representative

2012 - Present

Bay County Chamber of Commerce

Member

2012 - Present

Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce

Member

2006 - Present

St. Andrews Bay American Inn of Court

Barrister

2006 - Present

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Bay County chapter)

Member

2005 - Present

Bay County Bar Association

Member

2002 - Present

American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section

Member

Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (Commissioned 1990)

Member

2013 - 2013

Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, Indigent Services Committee

Member

2011 - 2015

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Bay County Chapter)

President

2010 - 2011

Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Bay County chapter)

Vice President

2007 - 2010

Bay County Bar Association

President

2006 - 2007

Bay County Bar Association

Treasurer

2003 - 2009

Florida Bar, Law Related Education Committee

Member

2003 - 2009

Law Related Education Committee of the Florida Bar

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. LB

Not Guilty

State v. BD

Life Felony reduced to misdemeanor

State v. MB

Not Guilty of Sale of Cocaine

See More Legal Cases

Education

2000

The Florida State University College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1993

University of Arizona

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

DUI Defense

2015

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

Ask Us Anything

2015

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

Social Security Disability

2014

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

Crime and Punishment

2014

Florida State University; Communication Planning and Dispute Resolution

Communcation and Conflict Resolution in Florida Courts

2013

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

Crime & Punishment

2013

Florida State University; Communication Planning and Dispute Resolution

Managing Conflict Through Communication

2013

Domestic Violence Task Force Committee, Meeting

Community Impact of Domestic Violence

2012

News 13 Law Call - Live television call-in show

Ask Us Anything

2011

Practicing with Professionalism, The Florida Bar

Professionalism in Practice Panel Discussion

2010

Practicing with Professionalism, The Florida Bar

Professionalism in Practice Panel Discussion

2009

Practicing with Professionalism, The Florida Bar

The Importance of Local Bar Membership

2003

Evidence Collection for Medical Professionals in Sex Cases

Sex Case Evidence Collection

2002

Search and Seizure Update

Search and Seizure

2002

"Behind Closed Doors" - Rural Domestic Violence Conference

Evidence Collection in a Domestic Violence Case

2001

Search and Seizure Update

Search and Seizure

2001

"Behind Closed Doors" - Rural Domestic Violence Conference

Evidence Collection in a Domestic Violence Case

Publications

2008

Bay Life Magazine One to Watch

2008

Panama City Living The New Vanguard: Smart, Savvy and Bay County's Very Own

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution