FN-4494081 MN-4494081 LN-4494081, Esq.
Arbitrator, Attorney, Judge, Mediator
Tallahassee, Florida
O'Steen & O'Steen, LP
Arbitrator, Attorney, Judge, Mediator
Attorney, Frank E. Sheffield LLC, 2016 – Present; Circuit Judge, State of Florida, 2009 – 2016; Attorney, Frank E. Sheffield P.A., 1973 – 2008; Attorney, Dye and Conner, 1972 – 1973; Attorney, J. Marshall Gifford P.A., 1972 – 1973.
PARTNERSHIP: Represented numerous partnerships, from inception, including working with proposed partners, assisting them in setting up, and drafting all paperwork necessary to establish, to handling litigation for and between partnerships. Rendered legal advice when necessary, handled multiple types of lawsuits, and has represented various partners in the dissolution of partnerships, both amicably and adversely. Handled litigation between partners and partnerships, including dissolution and accountings in partnerships, as a Circuit Court Judge. Has also mediated partnership issues since leaving the bench.
BUSINESS LAW: During over 37 years in law practice, including seven years on the bench, and since leaving the bench, has handled numerous matters related to business law, including giving business advice, preparing contracts and other documents, handling administrative disputes and agreements, handling bid protests, setting up businesses, dissolving businesses, and rendering daily advice. Business fields include medical businesses, auto repair businesses, construction related businesses, suppliers of various plumbing, electrical, construction and related products, trucking businesses, law firms, medical doctors, and more. Has a general business related practice and handled everything clients needed, from contracts, real estate matters, dissolution of marriages, preparation of wills, estates, or other matters when needed. Also had a large appellate practice for business clients.
CONSTRUCTION: Represented many businesses involved in construction with bid protests, contract disputes, mechanic’s liens, performance bond litigation, debt collection litigation, general contracts, AIA contracts, arbitration of contracts between businesses, dissolution of construction businesses, contracts, mergers, and insurance issues. Had a large practice involving representation of electricians, plumbers, site contractors, bond companies, suppliers, painting companies, and all manner of businesses and individuals involved in construction. Arbitrated one construction matter on a contractual dispute which lasted over 20 days. Also handled construction cases as a Circuit Judge.
REAL PROPERTY: Represented numerous individuals and businesses in the sale or purchase of property, including handling the closings for both buyers and sellers. Also wrote title insurance.
CRIMINAL LAW: Had a large criminal practice before taking the bench, as well as after leaving it. Tried every type of criminal case, trying hundreds of same. One of eight lawyers certified to try death penalty cases. Was also assigned to serve as a Felony Judge for four years.
GENERAL PRACTICE: Handled thousands of cases in family law, criminal law, appellate law, construction law, eminent domain, corporate law, contracts, insurance, medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death, real property, worker’s compensation, administrative law, and almost any other type of law over the past 43 years. Handled numerous arbitrations and mediations as an attorney, Judge, and Florida Supreme Court certified civil trial and family law mediator.
BUSINESS LAW: During over 37 years in law practice, including seven years on the bench, and since leaving the bench, has handled numerous matters related to business law, including giving business advice, preparing contracts and other documents, handling administrative disputes and agreements, handling bid protests, setting up businesses, dissolving businesses, and rendering daily advice. Business fields include medical businesses, auto repair businesses, construction related businesses, suppliers of various plumbing, electrical, construction and related products, trucking businesses, law firms, medical doctors, and more. Has a general business related practice and handled everything clients needed, from contracts, real estate matters, dissolution of marriages, preparation of wills, estates, or other matters when needed. Also had a large appellate practice for business clients.
CONSTRUCTION: Represented many businesses involved in construction with bid protests, contract disputes, mechanic’s liens, performance bond litigation, debt collection litigation, general contracts, AIA contracts, arbitration of contracts between businesses, dissolution of construction businesses, contracts, mergers, and insurance issues. Had a large practice involving representation of electricians, plumbers, site contractors, bond companies, suppliers, painting companies, and all manner of businesses and individuals involved in construction. Arbitrated one construction matter on a contractual dispute which lasted over 20 days. Also handled construction cases as a Circuit Judge.
REAL PROPERTY: Represented numerous individuals and businesses in the sale or purchase of property, including handling the closings for both buyers and sellers. Also wrote title insurance.
CRIMINAL LAW: Had a large criminal practice before taking the bench, as well as after leaving it. Tried every type of criminal case, trying hundreds of same. One of eight lawyers certified to try death penalty cases. Was also assigned to serve as a Felony Judge for four years.
GENERAL PRACTICE: Handled thousands of cases in family law, criminal law, appellate law, construction law, eminent domain, corporate law, contracts, insurance, medical malpractice, personal injury, wrongful death, real property, worker’s compensation, administrative law, and almost any other type of law over the past 43 years. Handled numerous arbitrations and mediations as an attorney, Judge, and Florida Supreme Court certified civil trial and family law mediator.
Served as a mediator on numerous cases, involving civil property disputes, insurance subrogation, personal injury and civil negligence. Also have mediated family law matters, involving substantial property holdings and issues concerning children.
Mediated insurance subrogation case where Plaintiff's home flooded and sustained substantial water damage, while plaintiff was away for a long period of time. Flooding was result of a defective product. Insurance company paid out a large amount of damages and then filed subrogation claim against manufacturer's insurance. Defense was that product was defective, and the alternative defense was that damages were paid that were excessive, or not a proximate result of the flooding.
I believe that a mediator's job is to impartially view the facts, listen to positions of counsel and the parties, and to provide guidance to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The purpose is to help parties resolve issues, avoid protracted and costly litigation, and settle contested issues that otherwise interfere with their enjoyment of normal lives and business operations.
Florida State College of Law (J.D.-1972); Florida State University (B.S.-1968).
Admitted to the Bar: Florida (1972); U.S. District Court: Northern (1972) and Middle (2015) Districts of Florida; U.S. Court of Appeals: 5th Circuit (1975), 11th Circuit (1982).
American Bar Association; Tallahassee Bar Association; Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Florida Academy of Professional Mediators; Jefferson County Bar Association; Tallahassee Women Lawyers Association.
$400 Per Hour
English
United States of America
Tallahassee, FL
The AAA’s Rules provide the AAA with the authority to administer a mediation including, mediator appointment, general oversight and billing. Accordingly, mediations that proceed without AAA administration are not considered AAA mediations, even when the parties select an mediator who is on the AAA’s Roster.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
The information contained in this resume has been supplied solely by the individual mediator and may, or may not, be a complete recitation of their experience. The AAA assumes no responsibility for the content, completeness, accuracy, or reliability of the information contained in a mediator’s resume. If you have any questions about a mediator’s experience or background, you are encouraged to contact your case manager.
Mediators on the AAA Roster are not employees or agents of the AAA.
