BIOGRAPHY
Honorable Judge F. Shields McManus

Judge William L. Roby picture

EDUCATION

  • St. John Vianney College Seminary, Miami, A.A. Liberal Arts
  • Florida State University, B.A. Government/Sociology
  • Florida State University College of Law, J.D. with honors

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

  • Appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007, elected in 2010.
    • Okeechobee County: Civil Actions, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency, Probate and Guardianship, Mental Health.
    • St. Lucie County: Foreclosures, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Civil Actions, Probate and Guardianship, Mental Health, Juvenile Delinquency and Dependency.
    • Martin County: Family Cases, Domestic Violence and Repeat Violence Cases, DOR Cases, and Civil Cases.
    • Fourth District Court of Appeals and Fifth District Court of Appeals temporary assignment.

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

  • Private practice of law including personal injury, business litigation, family, probate, and criminal law.
  • Member of following Stuart law firms:
    • Beasley and Geiger 1972
    • Beasley & McManus 1973 – 1974
    • McManus & Kennedy 1975 – 1977
    • McManus, Stewart & Ferraro 1977 – 1989
    • Kohl, Bobko, Mackey, McManus, Higgins 1990 – 1993
    • Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson & Sperando 1993 - 2007.

LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • The Florida Bar (Committees included: Rules of Civil Procedure, Code of Evidence, Judicial Nominating Procedures (Chair), Judicial Independence)
  • The State Bar of Georgia
  • Trial Bar, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • The Martin County Bar Association (Past President)
  • St. Lucie County Bar Association
  • Florida Justice Association/Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers
  • Florida Bar Foundation (Former Director)
  • Florida Rural Legal Services (Former Director)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Stuart/Martin County County Chamber of Commerce (Past Chairman)
  • Martin County Local Planning Agency (Past Chairman)
  • Stuart Main Street Association (Former Director)
  • Civitan Club of Stuart
  • St. Joseph School PTA and School Board of Advisors
  • Martin County High School Band Boosters
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir and Cantor
  • Martin County Seminole Boosters
  • Catholic Lawyers Guild of Treasure Coast

MILITARY EXPERIENCE

  • Artillery officer, U.S. Army Reserve, 1971-1981.