In Memoriam: Mike Sheffield

It is with great sadness that the DeKalb Bar Association informs our members of the death of one of this organization’s staunchest members and a past president. Michael Sheffield passed away on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011 due to heart complications. A former DeKalb attorney, Jack Nebl summed up Mike succinctly when he said, “As an ADA he could disagree with you without being disagreeable. Always his keen sense of humor and smile kept you engaged. He was a humble, caring man who never wished to put anyone out. He even drove himself to the hospital after his first heart attack years ago because he said he didn’t want to bother anyone. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. We all are honored to have known him.”

Mike, a native Atlantan, was born on Nov. 3, 1949. He attended Wake Forest University, and earned his B.A. in political science, cum laude, in 1971. He attended Emory University School of Law and earned his J.D. in 1974, and that same year he was admitted to practice. Mike was well known as a tough and honorable ADA in DeKalb County, then as a public defender, and later as a criminal defense attorney. When he went into private practice, he moved his practice to Gwinnett County where he became involved in the Gwinnett County Bar Association. Mike practiced in the areas of criminal law; traffic violations; juvenile criminal law; felonies and was also an assistant solicitor in several municipal courts. He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Board of Governors, 1997-2001, and the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Mike served as president of the DeKalb Bar from 1995-1996; vice president, 1994-1995; secretary, 1993-1994; treasurer, 1992-1993; member, eexecutive committee, 1989-1992; co-chairman, and the Law Day committee, 1988-1989. There were many years when Mike would drive to schools all over the county collecting posters and essays from participating schools. Mike believed in this community and was always ready to do, and not just to talk. He participated in the Georgia High School Mock Trial program assisting coaches with several teams. Mike also consistently served as a presiding judge and as an evaluator over the past years, through 2011. He was a past president of the Decatur Lions Club and was a member of the Norcross Rotary Club. Mike was also involved in the Gwinnett County Bar Association, where he served as president, 2004-2005; president-elect, 2003-2004; vice president, 2002-2003; treasurer, 2001-2002; and chairman of the Law Day committee, 2000-2001.

Mike is survived by his wife of 18 years, Susan Sheffield, a daughter, Olivia Sheffield of Norcross; and a son, Matthew Sheffield of Norcross; his mother, Lucy Sheffield of Lawrenceville; and a brother, Ken Sheffield of Longmont, Colo.

Many thanks for input from Beth Kinsinger, president, GCBA, and Margaret Washburn, contributing editor, GCBA Newsletter.