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.