Overview
Attorney James Shea received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College (nka University of New England) and his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School (Chicago). He is licensed to practice in all the courts of Connecticut, Illinois and Florida as well as in the Federal District Courts of Connecticut, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, Bankruptcy Courts in the District of Connecticut, Bankruptcy Courts for the Southern District of New York and the United States Tax Court. Jim has appeared before the Connecticut Supreme Court, the Connecticut Appellate Court and has argued before the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals in NYC in addition to being admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Jim has engaged in a general practice of law for forty years with an emphasis on Bankruptcy and Family law. Jim has taken the necessary instruction as Guardian ad litem (GAL) and presently volunteers as a Special Master for the New Haven family courts.
Jim began his career as a sole practitioner and at various times had associates working with him. He was the founding partner of Shea and Oestreicher PC which provided a wide array of legal services for fifteen years in the New Haven community. In 2005 the partnership was disbanded and Jim returned to practice as a sole practitioner focusing on Bankruptcy and Family law practice.
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut 1979
- Illinois 1980
- Florida 1981
- District Court District of Connecticut 1979
- District Court Southern District of New York
- District Court Eastern District of New York
- Tax Court
- Bankruptcy Court District of Connecticut
- Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York
- The United States Supreme Court 1984
Education
- The John Marshall Law School (Chicago) Juris Doctor 1979
- St. Francis College (nka University of New England) BS 1974
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Connecticut Bar Association
- Bankruptcy Section
- Family Law Section
- New Haven Bar Association
Volunteerism
Attorney Shea believes in giving back to the community and volunteers for the following causes, amongst others.
- Habitat for Humanity-Since 2008, Jim has joined a group of volunteers and annually gone down south to states that were hard hit by hurricanes including North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana; to rebuild homes for people whose lives were upended by these storms.
- Kiwanis Club of New Haven
Hobbies
- Sailing-Jim has frequently joined the crew of the sailboat Fearless, and sailed the Annapolis to Newport race, placing 2nd in their class.
- Jim is an advocate for alcoholics and addicts and helps them find recovery.
- Jim is an avid Harley Davidson rider, and enjoys trips around scenic Connecticut, to the Smoky Mountains, Vermont and waterfalls near and far.
Family
Jim grew up in North Branford and graduated from North Branford High School. He attended college and law school out of state and returned to North Branford to commence his law practice in 1979.
In 1987 he and his family of three children moved to Branford where Jim resides to this day. His children all graduated from Branford High School and currently reside in Oregon, Montana and Florida.
Jim has two grandsons in Montana with whom he visits as often as he can (but never often enough!) Jim is a keen reader and enjoys hiking, sailing and riding his Harley Davidson in his free time.