In her 39-year career, Shelley Leinicke handled more than 400 appeals as lead or sole appellate attorney before the Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Florida Supreme Court, and various federal appellate courts. Before joining Upchurch Watson White & Max as a mediator, she served as the head of the appellate practice department at Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. She also maintained an active trial practice and worked closely with other attorneys to assist them in resolution of a wide range of discovery, evidentiary, and legal issues before and during trial.

During her career, Shelley represented clients in a wide range of complex issues involving products liability, medical malpractice, legal malpractice, construction litigation, bad faith, officer and director liability, premises liability, automobile negligence, and wrongful death. She also has participated in litigation arising out of aviation accidents, insurance policy interpretation, negligence, personal injury, automobile liability, and patent and trademark law.

Shelley has earned an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating awarded by that organization.  She has been named to the list of Best Lawyers in America since 2011.

Professional Education and Qualifications

J.D.   University of Miami, 1977
B.A.  DePauw University, 1971
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Florida Supreme Court Certified Appellate and Circuit Civil Mediator

Professional and Civic Affiliations

The Florida Bar, Appellate Practice & Advocacy Section
Broward County Bar Association
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale