“After serving a decade as a trial judge, I am pleased to be a practicing trial lawyer again. My experience on the bench has enhanced my three decades of experience as a trial lawyer. I look forward using my knowledge to help clients resolve their legal conflicts successfully and expeditiously.”

Attorney F. Shields McManus came to South Florida as a child and achieved an Associate of Arts degree from St. John Vianney College Seminary in Miami and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Florida State University. He graduated from the FSU College of Law with Honors. While at FSU he was commissioned an artillery officer in the United States Army Reserve from which he was Honorably Discharged.

Shields settled in Martin County and spent three decades trying cases all over Florida and in several other states. He was one of the first lawyers in the Treasure Coast who represented condominium and home owner associations in takeovers from developers. He represented the Pierpoint Condominium unit owners in the first trial in Florida challenging the 99-year recreation lease in 1978. He negotiated the buyout of the lessors’ rights. He continued to represent many community associations in Martin and St. Lucie County.

He capably represented injured persons and families of deceased who were victims of motor vehicle crashes and medical malpractice. He has tried over 100 jury trials.

He represented many men and women in family law matters including divorce, custody and support issues.

After a successful career advancing from a solo practice to a partnership in the largest law firm on the Treasure Coast, Shields was appointed by the governor to be a circuit court judge. During his decade on the bench Shields was assigned to the civil and family divisions of the circuit courts in Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.

Shields has been given the highest peer review rating of “AV Preeminent” by Lexis Martindale Hubble for many years and was Board Certified in Civil Trial Law from 1982 until he became a judge. He has served his profession and community in many capacities, often serving as board member, chairman or president, including the Martin County Bar Association, the Florida Bar Committees, the Florida Bar Foundation, Florida Rural Legal Services, the Martin County Chamber of Commerce, the Martin County Local Planning Agency, Stuart Mainstreet, St. Joseph Catholic School, and the Chapman School of Seamanship.

Clients come to my office with the goal of settling their financial disputes, personal injury claims or family issues in an efficient and affordable manner. If you are concerned about the costs and risks of litigation, you should consider mediation. The mediation process is a constructive and efficient way to reach a positive settlement agreement in your lawsuit or family dispute.

Certified as a Circuit Court and a Family Mediator by the Florida Supreme Court.

Mediation allows YOU to stay in control of YOUR divorce. You are not at the mercy of a judge or the court system. You can meet with your spouse and the mediator as few or as many times as you like and remain involved in every step of the process. In mediation negotiations, both spouses have veto power and have the freedom to customize their decisions in order to find a mutually agreeable solution. Mediation does not conclude until both parties are satisfied with the outcome.

At the Law Office of F. Shields McManus, I especially encourage parents to consider mediation by stressing and reminding them that their conflict has a direct impact on their children. Even though you are divorcing, you will still need to find ways to work together to parent your children after the divorce.

If you are looking for a caring Civil Circuit Court or Family Mediator then call the Law Office of F. Shields McManus at 772-285-2774 or use the contact page and fill out the online form.