About Attorney Marcus A. Shields

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 has continued serving as a nimble and savvy litigator in private practice, representing individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation.  Marcus is a skilled trial attorney who brings more than a decade of legal and procedural knowledge to assist his clients in achieving their legal objectives. Marcus is also a Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation and can serve as a mediator or arbitrator to resolve legal disputes efficiently and with care.

• Juris Doctor -  North Carolina Central University School of Law
• Bachelor of Arts - University of South Carolina

• Of Counsel, Ellis & Winters LLP - Greensboro, NC
• District Court Judge, State of North Carolina - Guilford County, NC
• Assistant Public Defender (Guilford County) - Greensboro, NC
• Post-Conviction Attorney, NC Prisoner Legal Services, Inc. - Raleigh, NC
• Solo Practitioner - Marcus A. Shields, Attorney at Law - Clinton, NC & Raleigh, NC

 Bar Admissions:

• North Carolina  
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
• United States Supreme Court

Professional Training/Certification:

• Public Arbitrator - FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) (2025-Present)
• Nationally Certified Professional in Mediation - National Association of Certified Mediators (2023-Present)

Memberships and Associations

• Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro- Board of Directors (2025-Present) 
• Children’s Law Center of Central North Carolina - Board of Directors (2023-Present)
• Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2023), Alumni Member (2024-Present)
• High Point University School of Law,  Extended Faculty (2023-Present)
• Elon University, School of Law- Greensboro, NC, Former Adjunct Law Professor (2016-2018)
• Guilford Inn of Court
• Greensboro Bar Association - Immediate Past President (2023-2024)
• Greensboro Bar Association - President (2022-2023) 
• Greensboro Bar Association - President Elect (2021-2022)
• Greensboro Bar Association - Board of Directors (2015-2024)
• Greensboro Bar Association - Member (2014-Present) 
• 24th Judicial District Bar - President (2022-2022)*
• 24th Judicial District Bar - Vice President (2021-2022)*
• 24th Judicial District Bar - Member (2013-Present)*
• North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers - Member (2018-Present)
• Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers - President (2018-2019)
• Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers - Treasurer (2015-2017)
• Guilford County Association of Black Lawyers - Member (2013-Present)
• NC Public Defender Committee On Racial Equity - Chairperson (2017-2018)
• NC Public Defender Committee On Racial Equity - Member (2013-2018)
• NC Advocates for Justice - Member (2011-2018)

* 24th Judicial District Bar formerly named 18th Judicial District Bar