Marcus Shields

Adjunct Professor of Law

Department: Elon University School of Law

Office and address: Elon University School of Law 2005 Campus Box Greensboro, NC 27401

Phone number: (336) 279-9200

Brief Biography

Attorney Marcus A. Shields began his legal career in private practice in Eastern North Carolina, representing individuals and businesses in civil litigation, family law, fiduciary litigation, and criminal defense. He transitioned his practice to Raleigh, North Carolina, and worked as a Post-Conviction Attorney with North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc. in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

Afterward, he became an Assistant Public Defender at the Guilford County Public Defender’s Office in Greensboro, North Carolina. He represented clients in both District and Superior Court, again providing client-focused criminal trial-level defense.

In May 2018, Marcus A. Shields was appointed as a District Court Judge by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a role he successfully held after winning the 2020 election. As a District Court Judge, he presided over matters in every district courtroom in Guilford County and was the presiding judge for the Greensboro Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, the High Point Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, and the Greensboro Adult Mental Health Court. His tenure as a judge was marked by his unwavering commitment to justice and fairness.

Since leaving the bench, Marcus served  as a nimble and savvy litigator in private practice, representing individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation.  Marcus currently serves as Chief Deputy County Attorney for the Guilford County Attorney's Office. Marcus is also a Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation and an Arbitrator. 

Education

North Carolina Central University, School of Law                                      Durham, NC

Juris Doctor                                                                                                      May 2011

 

University of South Carolina at Columbia                                                  Columbia, SC

Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Experimental Psychology                                  May 2008

 

Employment History

Guilford County Attorney's Office                                                                              Greensboro, NC

Chief Deputy County Attorney                                                                                    Nov. 2025- Present 

  • Advise county officials and departments on legal issues including public governance, contracts, employment, real estate, finance, public health, and social services.
  • Provide leadership and supervision to a team of attorneys and legal professionals.
  • Draft and review complex legal documents including ordinances, policies, contracts, interlocal agreements, and resolutions.
  • Represent the County in litigation, administrative proceedings, and negotiations.
  • Ensure legal compliance with federal and state laws, including the North Carolina General Statutes including but not limited to Chapters 153A, 159, 160D, 122C, and 7B, public records and open meetings laws, and other applicable regulations.
  • Develop training materials and conduct legal training for county staff and county boards.
  • Assist in managing office caseload, budgetary planning, and performance initiatives.
  • Serve as a legal liaison to outside counsel and coordinate representation in complex matters as needed.
  • Provide information and legal opinions orally or in writing, including legal memorandums, office advice, consultation and advice in the field during developing situations.
  • Represent the County in administrative proceedings before administrative agencies.
  • Make legal evaluation of any criminal case which is unusual or complex, upon request.
  • Provide general legal advice and counsel to County Departments and Board of Commissioners as required by the County Attorney including attendance at Board of Commissioner meetings as necessary.
  • Serve in supervisory capacity to the County Attorney Staff including general office management and work delegation as required by the County Attorney.

 

Shields Law, PLLC                                                                                                    Greensboro, NC

Owner & Managing Attorney                                                                                      October 2024-Nov. 2025

  • I serve as counsel for businesses, individuals, and government agencies an experience litigator in the areas of civil litigation, fiduciary litigation, contracts, and alternative dispute resolution.

 

Ellis & Winters, LLP                                                                                                 Greensboro, NC

Of Counsel                                                                                                                  September 2022- September 2024

  • I served as counsel for businesses and individuals advising on matters related to products liability; premises liability; contract negotiations and disputes; prelitigation investigations; liability analysis; and complex commercial litigation.
  • I brought working knowledge from years of litigation and judicial experience to aid my clients in finding solutions to

complex commercial litigation issues.

  • I supervised local counsel when national litigation became necessary and served as a stakeholder in achieving client centered goals through every aspect of the legal process.
  • I served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and liaison to corporate clientsto ensure staffing is done with diversity and competence in mind.

 

State Of North Carolina, Guilford County District Court Judge                                Greensboro & High Point, NC

District Court Judge (18th Judicial District)                                                                   June 2018- September 2022

  • I presided over matters in all district court courtrooms in Guilford County, specifically:
    • Criminal
    • Traffic
    • General Civil – to include Civil District Court Jury Trials
    • Juvenile Delinquency
    • Juvenile Abuse, Neglect and Dependency (DSS)
    • Family Law Facilitator Matters w/ DSS
    • Domestic Violence
    • Child Support
    • Family Law
    • Involuntary Commitments and Judicial Waivers
    • Minor Settlements
    • Magistrate Appeals
  • Served as presiding judge in Guilford County Recovery Courts
    • Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Judge- Greensboro & High Point, NC
    • Adult Mental Health Court Judge- Greensboro, NC
  • Served as conflicts judge in Forsyth County, North Carolina- As Needed
 

State of North Carolina, Guilford County Public Defender’s Office                           Greensboro, NC

Assistant Public Defender (18th Judicial District)                                                           October 2013 – June 2018

  • I represented individuals charged with criminal offenses as a first-chair trial litigator. I was responsible for researching, preparing, and managing over 200 criminal misdemeanor and felony cases (including white collar crimes) efficiently and expeditiously
  • I advised and counseled clients regarding plea offers, trial options, client’s rights, strategies, sentencing and appellate rights
  • Served as trial counsel by representing individuals during courtroom proceedings including bench trials, jury trials and evidentiary hearings

 

North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, Inc.                                                             Raleigh, NC

Attorney                                                                                                                      March 2012 – October 2013

  • I served as a post-conviction criminal defense litigator for over 40,000 men and women incarcerated by the North Carolina Department of Correction
  • Post-Conviction Case Evaluation, Independent Case Management, Resentencing Litigation, and Post-Conviction Appellate Litigation on both the State and Federal Court level
  • High Volume Caseload- constantly ranging from 65-100 active cases at a given time (misdemeanor, minor felony, and major felony to include Death Penalty and Life Without Parole cases)
  • School Year NCPLS Internship/Externship Program Coordinator- recruit, train, and supervise law student interns and externs.

 

Marcus Allen Shields, Attorney at Law                                                                       Durham, NC

Managing Attorney/ Legal Advisor                                                                                 February 2012 – October 2013

  • I provided boutique legal representation to individuals and various business entities focusing on: (1) business formation, (2) contract drafting, (3) contract review and negotiation; (4) family law litigation; and (5) wills and estates litigation.
  • I utilized mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods to bring resolution for parties in dispute.

 

 

Braswell Law Firm, P.A.                                                                                             Goldsboro, NC & Clinton, NC

Attorney (Independent Contractor)                                                                                 September 2011- February 2012

  • Served as trial counsel in the following areas: Abuse, Neglect, & Dependency of Children Litigation; Civil Litigation, including settling matters through means of alternative dispute resolution; Contract drafting and review; Family Law Litigation; Personal Injury Litigation; Wills, Trusts & Estates
  • Provided first chair criminal defense representation in both District and Superior Courts in Wayne, Duplin, and Sampson Counties.

 

Law Offices of Mary Markovich, P.A.                                                                         Raleigh, NC

Law Clerk                                                                                                                    October 2010 – April 2011

  • Assisted U.S. Veterans and their families in obtaining pension benefits, compensation benefits, and with estate planning and family law matters; assisted retired military individuals in obtaining retirement benefits; completed veteran’s pension applications for United States Department of Veterans Affairs review

 

 

 

North Carolina Central University- Office of General Counsel                                   Durham, NC

Law Clerk                                                                                                                    May 2010- October 2010

 
  • Assisted General Counsel in reviewing contracts; drafted policies and proposals for the University; wrote memorandums on various legal issues affecting the University
  • Attended and participated in mediations and arbitrations on behalf of the University; assisted General Counsel in conflict management, civil litigation, and criminal matters

 

State of North Carolina, Court of Appeals                                                                   Raleigh, NC

Judicial Clerk to Honorable Judge Wanda G. Bryant                                                       May 2009 – November 2009

  • Conducted legal research on various legal issues before the Court; wrote legal memorandums on various issues of law presented before the Court; drafted judicial opinions on behalf of Judge Wanda G. Bryant for her review, circulation and publication

 

Courses Taught

 Elon University, School of Law                                                                            Greensboro, NC
  Adjunct Law Professor                                                                                         August 2025- Present

Course:   Criminal Pre-Trial Practice
Criminal Pre-Trial Practice is an evening course that focuses on the pre-trial strategy and tactics employed by trial lawyers in federal criminal cases. The course requires students to conduct pre-trial criminal procedures by following simulated cases. The cases involve the prosecution of criminal offenses in federal court. Students alternate handling segments of the case as both a prosecutor and as defense counsel. Students complete five to six graded homework assignments over the course of the trimester. The assignments consist of researching and writing appropriate court documents (e.g., motion to suppress evidence, motion to compel discovery, etc.). Students also prepare to interview witnesses (including the defendant), argue motions, and make charging decisions.

Elon University, School of Law                                                                               Greensboro, NC
Adjunct Law Professor                                                                                 January 2016-March 2018

Course: Criminal Law Lab
The Criminal Law Lab tracks a simulated criminal law case and provides students with the opportunity to engage in basic lawyering tasks (including interviewing, negotiation, oral argument, and drafting) under the supervision of a practicing criminal lawyer.          

Professional Activities

BAR ADMISSIONS

North Carolina (2011)

United States District Court- Eastern District of North Carolina (2012) United States District Court- Middle District of North Carolina (2012) United States District Court- Western District of North Carolina (2012)

Supreme Court of the United States (2024)

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS

 

  • North Carolina State Bar - Member (2011-Present)
  • 14th Judicial District Bar - Member (2011-2013)
  • 18th Judicial District Bar (now 24th Judicial District) - Member (2013-Present)
  • North Carolina Advocates for Justice - Member (2012-2018)
  • North Carolina Public Defender Committee on Racial Equity - Member (2013-2018)
  • Carolina Dispute Settlement Services: North Carolina Superior Court Mediation Certification Program: 40-hour training and certificate (2010)
  • North Carolina Central University, School of Law Alumni Board Member (2011-2013)
  • Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers – Member (2013-Present); Treasurer (2015-2017); President

(2018-2020)

  • Elon University, School of Law, Preceptor Program Mentor (2015-Present)
  • North Carolina Racial Equity Network - Member (2014-2018)
  • Guilford Inn of Court- Member/Barrister (2015-Present)
  • Greensboro Bar Association – Member (2016-Present); Membership Committee (2016-Present); Young Lawyers Section Board Member (2017-2019); Board of Directors (2017-Present); President Elect (2021-2022); President (2022-2023); Immediate Past President (2023-2024)
  • 24th Judicial District Bar – Vice President (2021-2022); President (2022-2023)
  • North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers - Member (2018-Present)
  • High Point Bar Association- Member (2018-Present)
  • Reading Connections, Inc. (2019-2020)- Board of Directors
  • Welfare Reform Liaison Project- Greensboro, NC – Board of Directors (2020-2022)
  • 2022 Black Business Ink “40 Under 40” Most Influential African Americans in the Triad NC (2022)
  • National Association of Certified Mediator- Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation (2023-Present)
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity- Fellow (2023); Alumni Member (2024-Present)
  • Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina- Board of Directors (2024-Present)
  • Public Arbitrator – FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) (2025-Present)
  • Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro- Board of Directors (2025-Present)
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Member (2025-Present)