Florida's restoration of civil rights process is designed to make it virtually impossible for convicted felons to regain their fundamental constitutional rights, such as the right to vote. On February 1, 2018, Judge Walker, federal district judge for the Northern...
In the News
I’m Going To Make You Live By The Constitution If I Have The Power To Do It”
William Sheppard and Betsy White were interviewed last week by the Bar Bulletin Staff of the Daily Record about the recently filed complaint against Chief Judge Mahon and Sheriff Mike Williams as it relates to the unfair bail practices against misdemeanants. Read the...
Bill Sheppard Receives JALA’s Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award
Congratulations to Bill Sheppard and Sam Jacobson for their receipt of the Robert J. Beckham Equal Justice Award, given each year by Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA). This award is given in recognition of their efforts to "provide justice for the poor and...
A Mother’s Death, a Botched Inquiry and a Sheriff at War
As is his practice, Mr. Bogdanich has written an extensively researched article about how Agent Rodgers became the object of a campaign to destroy his career and reputation. His offense was the refusal to rubber stamp the conclusions of a deeply flawed investigation...
Firm Again Receives Tier 1 Ranking by U.S. News – “Best Law Firms for 2017”
The firm has once again been ranked a Tier 1 law firm by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in America for 2017. This ranking is based "on vigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their...
Florida Supreme Court Requires Unanimous Verdicts in Death Penalty Case
In March of this year Florida Legislators made a change in the death penalty laws, requiring only a 10-2 vote by jurors to impose the death penalty. In an article published by the Daily Record, Bill Sheppard is quoted as being "dumbfounded" by the change. Sheppard has...
Lawsuit Over Kenny Leigh’s Sham Write-in Candidacy Remains Pending in Florida Supreme Court After Melissa Nelson Defeats Angela Corey in State Attorney Primary
We have received several inquiries about the status of the lawsuit we brought with prominent local civil rights attorney Sam Jacobson, Scott v. Hogan, over the disenfranchisement of almost 440,000 registered non-republican voters in the local state attorney race. As...
Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award
The AAJ Civil Rights Section presents the Leonard Weinglass in Defense of Civil Liberties Award, annually, to honor an attorney or a civil rights advocate who has made a noteworthy contribution to the defense of our civil rights and civil liberties bringing, trying,...
29 Agitators, Truth-Seekers & Crusaders List
Folio Weekly celebrated 29 years in publication by honoring 29 influential Floridians. Bill Sheppard was included in their list. In Folio Weekly's own words, "we've decided to honor influential locals who stomp around, kicking ass and taking names, saving lives...
State Required To Pay Legal Fees In Gay-Marriage Fight
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle has ordered that the state pay more than $500,000 in legal fees to the ACLU of Florida, William Sheppard, Betsy White, and Samuel Jacobson who represented the Brenner plaintiffs more than a year ago in a case where the same-sex ban on...