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Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Patricia P. Shields received the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on November 14, 2024, in Raleigh, NC. Past-President A. Todd Brown presented the award. Warren Savage assisted in the presentation.

Ms. Shields was born in Elizabeth City and raised in Durham. She received her BA from Wake Forest University in 1982 and her JD from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She began her legal career in 1985, serving as a law clerk for Chief Judge R.A. “Fred” Hedrick at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Judge Hedrick, who had lost his sight as a child, had a profound impact on Ms. Shields’s approach to the law, teaching her the importance of fairness, impartiality, and equal treatment under the law. She spent two years assisting him in reviewing case records, researching legal issues, and drafting opinions, all while learning the value of applying the law without bias.

After her clerkship, Ms. Shields became an associate and later a partner at Bailey & Dixon in Raleigh. She went on to practice with Troutman Sanders and Hedrick, Gardner, Kincheloe & Garofalo. She built a successful career in civil litigation, focusing on a broad range of legal matters including personal injury, products liability, professional malpractice, employment law, civil rights, and complex commercial cases, along with administrative law. She also defends and prosecutes licensees before occupational licensing boards. Throughout her career, Ms. Shields has represented clients in some of the most challenging situations, often offering pro bono services to disadvantaged clients. In addition to her civil litigation practice, Ms. Shields has developed an extensive appellate practice. She has handled numerous appeals and appeared before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Shields has earned widespread recognition for her legal skills and contributions. She has received the Women of Justice Award from North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and the Diversity and Inclusion Award from North Carolina/South Carolina Lawyers Weekly. Ms. Shields has made significant contributions to the legal community. She served as president of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (NCADA). In her role as president, Ms. Shields initiated the NCADA’s Diversity Committee, emphasizing the critical role of diversity and inclusion. Under her leadership, the NCADA was nationally recognized for its diversity efforts and programming. In 2020 she was awarded the Robert J. Elster Award for Professional Excellence by NCADA. Her commitment to the legal profession is further demonstrated through her leadership within her firm and her active role in mentoring and advocating for diversity within the legal community. She is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. At Hendrick Gardner, Ms. Shields is general counsel for the firm and serves on the Pro Bono Committee and the Associate Development Committee. She serves on the adjunct faculty for Campbell University School of Law, where she teaches trial advocacy and mentors law students.

Throughout her career, Ms. Shields has remained dedicated to fairness, professionalism, and advancing the legal profession. Her career is marked by a commitment to justice, integrity, and the highest ethical standards.

Filed Under: General News

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