Tracy Sheehan
JUDICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Year elected to the bench: 2007
Assignments: Unified Family Court: Juvenile Dependency (2007)
EDUCATION
Law School: Stetson University College of Law (1/87 - 5/89)
Cum Laude graduate, ranked 8th of 98 in class
Awarded Stetson College of Law Academic Scholarships for
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th semesters of law school, based upon
“outstanding academic achievement.”
Member of Stetson College of Law Mock Trial Team 1988 and
1989; During both years, Stetson finished first in the nation
at national competitions and first in the State of Florida in
statewide competitions.
International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, 1989.
Undergraduate: Washington State University
BA Communications, minor in psychology (9/77 - 7/80)
AWARDS
Hillsborough County Bar Trial Lawyer Section’s “In the Trenches” award for criminal litigation, May, 2006.
Florida’s Children First! award for “service to children in and out of the courtroom.” (2/04)
Hillsborough County Guardian ad Litem Award for “dedicated service to the Children of Hillsborough County,” (2001)
Teem Court Annual Awards for participating in Teen Court programs and training sessions for student lawyers, (1995 - 2003)
Outstanding Teen Court Judge and Volunteer Mentor, (2000 - 2001)
SPEAKING EVENTS
Participated as a guest lecturer at training sessions for new Guardians ad litem in Hillsborough County; (2001 - 2002).
Speak to the residents of the Crossroads Women’s Drug Treatment Center on a monthly basis; (2002 - present).
Discuss inspirational subjects and accountability for actions as well as legal issues such as criminal charges and custody matters.
Participated in the Great American Teach-in, Robinson High School and Adams Middle School, (2001 - 2002), West Tampa Elementary School, (2005).
Spoke at Career Nights at Robinson High School, (2001 - 2002).
PROFESSIONAL: LEGAL CAREER
8/87 - 1/89 Law Clerk and Research Assistant
Professor William McKinley Smiley
Stetson College of Law
5/88 - 1/89 Law Clerk
St. Petersburg Police Department Legal Department
9/88 - 1/89 Intern
Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office
12/18/88 - 6/3/94 Law Clerk, then Associate
Law Firm of Barry Cohen
6/94 - 11/96 Attorney, Lead Trial Attorney
Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office
11/96 - 6/98 Partner
Cohen, Jayson, Foster and Sheehan
Solo Practitioner
Law Office of Tracy Sheehan
PROFESSIONAL: PRIOR CAREER
11/96 - 6/98 V
1/80 - 7/82 KAPP-TVIntern, Reporter, and ultimately lead 6pm and
11pm news anchor
Yakima, Washington
7/82 - 2/83 WDEF-TF
Lead 6pm and 11pm News Anchor
Chattanooga, TN
2/83 - 2/85 WTVC-TV
Lead 6pm and 11pm News Anchor
Chattanooga, TN
2/85 - 1/87 WTSP-TV
Reporter, substitute news anchor
Tampa - St. Petersburg, FL
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/PRO BONO
Volunteered with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Teen Court criminal diversion program for approximately ten years, devoting at least one night a month to preside over trials or grand juries or to provide training to the student “lawyers.”
Participate in monthly group meetings at Crossroads Women’s Drug Treatment Center.
Volunteered at Bay Area Legal Services, (1996 - 1997), providing legal services of a wide variety to Hillsborough County Indigents.
Volunteer tutor and 3rd Grade classroom mentor at West Tampa Elementary.
Active in efforts to assist children at Joshua House and to promote education of children’s cancer and breast cancer issues.
Founding Member of Kids Charity, providing for the needs of foster children in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.
Member of the Board of Directors for Connected by 25, which assists foster kids who are aging out of the system, and Tampa Crossroads.