$ 190-350 per hour
Clifford B Shepard
also known as Cliff Shepard
About Clifford
Biography
Clifford B. Shepard obtained his undergraduate degree in journalism (News Writing and Editing) and graduated law school from the University of Florida, where he was a member of the Trial Competition Team, Managing Editor of The Verdict student newspaper, and a member of the law school's student government. He moved to Orlando in 1985 and began law practice.
Cliff's practice developed in the areas of local government law, complex commercial litigation, real estate development, insurance defense and construction law, as well as homeowner and condominium association representation, an area he developed after serving as association president to a 2400 home development in Seminole County. In 1995, Cliff attained the AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®. Cliff practices and mediates extensively in the areas of government law, employment, defense, real estate, construction law, complex commercial litigation and community association law. He is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law and an approved agent for Attorney's Title Insurance Fund.
In 1998 Cliff became "Special Counsel" to the City of Maitland, Florida in litigation and real estate matters and in 2002, was selected as City Attorney upon the retirement of the City's former counsel. He also serves as the Town Attorney for the Town of Ponce Inlet, land use counsel for the Cities of Apopka and Satellite Beach and the General Counsel for the Florida Redevelopment Association. Additionally, Cliff is a certified Circuit Court and Appellate mediator.
Cliff has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Adminstrative & Regulatory Law (2018, 2019). Cliff was also honored by Florida Trend Magazine as one of Florida's Legal Elite™ (2005-2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2019) in the areas of Governmental and Administrative Law and Commercial Litigation. Each year the magazine names a new group of top lawyers who have earned the confidence of those who know their work the best. Attorneys and judges throughout Florida were asked to name lawyers whom they hold in the highest regard - lawyers they have worked with or would recommend to others. The Legal Elite™ represent the top 1.2% of the Florida Bar members who practice in the state. Cliff was also named a "Florida Super Lawyers"® (2005-2019) by Law & Politics Magazine. "Florida Super Lawyers"® is a consumer's guide to the best attorneys in the state.
Cliff is a member in good standing of the Florida (1985), Tennessee (2006) and District of Columbia (1988) Bar Associations, is a current member of the City, County and Local Government Law Section of the Florida Bar. While he has served as an active member of a number of professional organizations, of particular note is his service as:
- Past President of the Mid-Florida Chapter of the Community Associations Institute, a national clearinghouse for information on community associations issues;
- Past-chair and member of the editorial board of the Florida Bar Journal and News, the two major professional publications for The Florida Bar;
- Past member of the Florida Bar Judicial Selection, Administration and Tenure Committee.
Cliff is a frequent speaker at continuing education seminars and has been a presenter on issues involving special districts, local government law, construction, defense, real estate, and association law and has written a number of articles within these areas.
Community service has also been a staple of Cliff's personal and professional life. Most recently he served on the Board of Trustees for The Christ School, a Christian K-8 private school in downtown Orlando. He has served as a member of the Land Planning Agency for the City of Oviedo and as a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Florida. He has also served as the Chairman of the Board for Kids Beating Cancer, Inc., a multiple award-winning local charity that assists families touched by childhood cancer through the recruitment, DNA testing and matching of potential bone marrow donors to patients whose best hope for a cure is a bone marrow transplant. Cliff also serves as a court appointed guardian-ad-litem to children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected by their parents.
He is married to wife Mary, and has three adult children - Tyler, Morgan and Spencer.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 20 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Licensed in District of Columbia for 38 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 40 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
Location
Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A.
2300 Maitland Center Parkway, Suite 100, Maitland, FL, 32751
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Clifford B Shepard's Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | August 22, 2011
Chief of Police
During my 37 year career as a law enforcement officer and as Chief of Police for the past 16 years I have worked with many attorneys. Cliff Shepard is without a doubt on top of my list as an advocate for his clients. In recent litigation involving a multi million dollar lawsuit many lawyers wanted to...
Posted by anonymous | June 26, 2009
Review of Legal Service
Cliff handled a very sensitive civil litigation matter for me which involved mutiple parties and perfomed admirably. He was always conscious of who he represented (me!) and was enthusiastic about the pursuit of the case. He is a knowledgeable and aggressive litigator who can think on his feet, but ...
Clifford B Shepard's Lawyer Endorsements
Mark Longwell
State, local, and municipal law lawyer | Jun 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I worked closely with Cliff on a complex litigation matter arising out of the suicide of Stephen R. Walsh and the related collapse of Walsh's real estate development companies including Broad Street Partners, LLC. Cliff is a superb lawyer. He has excellent analytical and communication skills, is passionate about his work, and is a pleasure to deal with. I strongly recommend and endorse him."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Cliff on a couple of matters, and he is an excellent litigator. Cliff has terrific courtroom presence, great rapport with the judges, and is extremely effective at witness examination. He is a consummate professional, and great to work with."
Stewart Greenberg
Personal injury lawyer
Geoffrey Schwartz
Commercial real estate lawyer
Robert Major
Commercial real estate lawyer
John Bill
Commercial real estate lawyer
D Smith
State, local, and municipal law lawyer
Ernest Kohlmyer
State, local, and municipal law lawyer
George Guerra
Employment and labor lawyer
M. Moyles
Employment and labor lawyer
James Simpson
Employment and labor lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Executive of the Year, Volusia County League of Cities
2019
Best Lawyer - Administrative & Regulatory Law, Best Lawyers in America
2019
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Best Lawyer - Adminstrative & Regulatory Law, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2016
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2015
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2013
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2012
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2011
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2009
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2007
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2006
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2006
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
2006
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2006
Board Certified - City, County & Local Government Law, Florida Bar
2005
Florida's Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine
2005
Florida Super Lawyer, Law & Politics Magazine
1995
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1995
Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys, Martindale-Hubbell
1993
Outstanding Chairman - Florida Bar Journal/News, Florida Bar
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Pro Bono Award, Orange County Bar Association
Work Experience
2008 - Present
President, Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A.
1900 - Present
Managing Shareholder, Shepard, Smith, Kohlmyer & Hand, P.A.
1900 - Present
Managing Shareholder, Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A.
2004 - 2008
Shareholder, Langston, Hess, Shepard & Augustine, P.A.
1994 - 2004
Managing Partner, Shepard & Filburn, P.A.
1988 - 1994
Shareholder, Kilgore, Pearlman et al.
1987 - 1988
Associate, Litchford, Christopher et al.
1985 - 1987
Associate, Dempsey & Goldsmith, P.A.
Associations
2006 - Present
Tiger Bay ClubMember
2006 - Present
Tennessee Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Florida Bar Journal/News Editorial BoardBoard Member
1999 - Present
Florida Academy of Certified MediatorsMediator
1998 - Present
Florida Municipal Attorneys AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Florida Bar, City, County and Local Government Law SectionMember
1987 - Present
District of Columbia Bar AssociationMember
1985 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
1984 - 1985
Trial Competition Team - University of FloridaMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Pacetta, et al. v. Town of Ponce Inlet (VGMC)
Ruling for Town of Ponce Inlet, affirmed on cert. review by the Circuit Court, Judge Perkins.
Btesh v, City of Maitland, et al.
Summary judgment in favor of Defendants on all counts.
Medallion Convenience Stores, Inc. v. Mansour Investments, Inc., et al.
Judgment awarding specific performance to Plaintiff, Medallion Convenience Stores and awarding Plaintiff its attorney's fees and costs.
Ocean Palm Golf Club Partnership vs. City of Flagler Beach, Florida
Judgment for Defendant, City of Flagler Beach, on all issues.
Morris vs. ZMG Construction, et al.
Motion to Enforce Settlement Agreement in favor of Defendants was granted.
BSP/Florida, LLC, et al. vs. Kupp, et al.
Defendants won favorable settlement.
Bekaert Specialty Films vs. Jeffrey Plummer, et al.
Directed verdict in favor of Defendant Plummer on all counts.
Matthews et al. vs. City of Maitland, et al.
Summary judgment for Maitland on all 11 counts.
Winter Park Construction vs. City of Maitland
Summary judgment for Maitland on all counts.
Education
1985
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1981
University of Florida
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2012
FMAA Annual Meeting & Seminar
Community Redevelopment
2011
Annual Conference
Essential Economic Development Law
2011
Annual Conference
Board Training - Sunshine Law, Ethics, Public Records
2011
30th Annual Seminar
Charter Reviews in Florida
2010
City, County & Local Government Section Annual Meeting
Sunshine Law & Social Media
2007
Annual Conference
The Impact of Strand v. Escambia County on Redevelopment
N/A
Legal Update
Community Association Law
Publications
1987
Trial Magazine
"Lost" Medical Records - Redefining the Scope of the Spoliation Doctrine
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Is a non-compete agreement voided if my employer changes my pay from salary to straight commission?
17 Feb 2009
Q&A
RENTING WITH A TAX LIEN ON PROPERTY
17 Feb 2009
Q&A
Is it legal to have a driver's license in one state and be a resident of another?
31 Jan 2009