Mike Sheffield
| Mike Sheffield | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 3, 1949 Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Died |
February 19, 2011 (aged 61) Peachtree Corners, Georgia, United States |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Nationality |
 United States |
Mike Sheffield (November 3, 1949 - February 19, 2011) was an American attorney who practiced in Georgia, who served as a prosecutor at the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office for nearly a decade, and who later practiced at his own law firm. He ran for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals in 2008, served in numerous leadership positions throughout Georgia, and practiced law before his death in Atlanta, and the Georgia counties of DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Cobb, Walton, Rockdale, Forsyth and Henry.
Education and career
Sheffield grew up in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and attended public schools graduating from North Fulton High School in 1967. He attended Wake Forest University graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1971. He graduated from Emory University Law School in 1974.
After graduating from law school, Sheffield began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney at the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office where he worked for 9 years. During that time Sheffield tried over 100 jury trials and wrote over 25 appeals to the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. After his service in the District Attorney's Office Sheffield worked for the DeKalb Public Defender's Office and eventually opened his own law firm. His practice involved both civil and criminal cases, but he focused his attention on criminal matters including the defense of both felonies and misdemeanors. He also served as the Solicitor for the cities of Duluth, Alpharetta and Lilburn, Georgia.
Leadership
Sheffield served in numerous leadership roles throughout Georgia. While in practice in Decatur he was elected President of the DeKalb County Bar Association. He was also elected to the State Bar of Georgia's Board of Governors which is the governing body of the State Bar. He served on that body for 4 years. He was also Chairman of the State Bar's Lawyer Assistance Program. When Sheffield moved his law practice to Gwinnett County he became involved in the local bar association and was elected President of the Gwinnett County Bar Association. Sheffield became the first lawyer in Georgia to be President of two of the largest Bar Associations in the State, the DeKalb and Gwinnett Bar Associations.
Sheffield was also active in his community having served as President of the Decatur Lions Club and was a member of the Peachtree Corners (formerly, Norcross) Rotary Club. Recently before his death he served as President of the Peachtree Station Swim and Tennis Club, his neighborhood community club in Peachtree Corners.
Family life
Sheffield was married to Susan Becorest, and they had two children together, Olivia and Matthew, aged 14 and 12, respectively, at the time of his death. His family attends Perimeter Presbyterian Church in Duluth where Sheffield served as a Discipleship leader for his son's class and served as a Neighborhood Pastor for the church in Peachtree Station.