Judge James O. Shelfer: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Florida Bar Bar #: 175972 (05/10/1974)

Appointed By: Gov. Charles J. Crist, Jr.

Biography

The Hon. James O. Shelfer (Ret.) served as a judge for the 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Florida. Shelfer was appointed to the bench by former Governor Charlie Crist in 2009, filling a vacancy created by the passing of the Hon. Kevin P. Davey. He retired in 2019.


The 2nd Judicial Circuit encompasses Franklin County, Gadsden County, Jefferson County, Leon County, Liberty County, and Wakulla County. Shelfer held assignments in Leon County, presiding over cases in the Criminal Division and the Civil Division.


Prior to his appointment, Shelfer was a judge for the Leon County Court, a position to which he was named in 2001.


Shelfer earned a B.A. in history and political science from Stetson University in 1971. He then completed a J.D. at Stetson University College of Law in 1974. He was also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Court Mediator.


After graduating from law school, Shelfer began his legal career as an associate at Cotton, Shivers, Gwynn & Daniel. He worked in that capacity for two years, eventually leaving to open his own private practice as a sole practitioner. Then, in 1978, he co-founded Gardner, Shelfer, Duggar, Bist & Weiner.


His memberships have included the William H. Stafford American Inns of Court, the Second Judicial Circuit to the Florida Conference of County Judges, the Florida Bar Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, and the Board of Directors of Turn About, Inc. He also served as president of the Tallahassee Bar Association, chairman of the Board of Directors of Attorney’s Title Insurance Fund, and chairman of the Second Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee.


Shelfer was born in Quincy and raised in Havana, Florida. Since retiring from the bench, he has worked as a mediator and arbitrator.

Recent Cases by Hon. James O. Shelfer

On November 15, 2016 a negligence other case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Nov 15, 2016

Status

Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

NEGLIGENCE OTHER

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Negligence

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2025

On November 10, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure homestead residential $50,000 or less case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Nov 10, 2016

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL $50,000 OR LESS

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On November 7, 2016 a writ of mandamus case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Nov 07, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On November 1, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure homestead residential more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

22 Files
Filed

Nov 01, 2016

Status

Summary Judgment

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Leon County

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL MORE THAN $50,000 BUT LESS THAN $250,000

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2024

On October 28, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure non-homestead residential $50,000 or less case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Oct 28, 2016

Status

Default Judgment

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NON-HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL $50,000 OR LESS

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On October 24, 2016 a writ of mandamus case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Oct 24, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On October 21, 2016 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

CONTRACT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On October 19, 2016 an other circuit civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2016

Status

Closed

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

OTHER CIRCUIT CIVIL

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On October 5, 2016 an other discrimination case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Oct 05, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

OTHER DISCRIMINATION

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 30, 2016 a writ of mandamus case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 30, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 29, 2016 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 29, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

CONTRACT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 28, 2016 a reopened case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 28, 2016

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

REOPENED

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 27, 2016 an other discrimination case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 27, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

OTHER DISCRIMINATION

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 26, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure homestead residential more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

18 Files
Filed

Sep 26, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Leon County

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL MORE THAN $50,000 BUT LESS THAN $250,000

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 21, 2024

On September 16, 2016 an other real property more than $50,000 but less than $250,000- case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 16, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

OTHER REAL PROPERTY MORE THAN $50,000 BUT LESS THAN $250,000-

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

General Property

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 15, 2016 a writ of mandamus case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 15, 2016

Status

Judgment on Appeal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 14, 2016 a negligence nursing home case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 14, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

NEGLIGENCE NURSING HOME

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Nursing Home

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On September 12, 2016 an auto negligence case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Sep 12, 2016

Status

Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

AUTO NEGLIGENCE

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 30, 2016 a writ of mandamus case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 30, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 26, 2016 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 26, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

CONTRACT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 22, 2016 a condominium case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 22, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

CONDOMINIUM

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Condominium

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 22, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure non-homestead residential more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 22, 2016

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE NON-HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL MORE THAN $50,000 BUT LESS THAN $250,000

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 19, 2016 a mortgage foreclosure homestead residential more than $50,000 but less than $250,000 case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 19, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE HOMESTEAD RESIDENTIAL MORE THAN $50,000 BUT LESS THAN $250,000

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025

On August 15, 2016 an other discrimination case was filed in the jurisdiction of Leon County. Judge James O. Shelfer presiding.

Filed

Aug 15, 2016

Status

Removal

Judge

Hon. James O. Shelfer Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for James O. Shelfer

Court

Circuit

County

Leon County, FL

Court Category

OTHER DISCRIMINATION

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 14, 2025