Atty. John A. Shea
John Shea is an attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has been in private practice since 1988. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983 and to Michigan's bar in 1985, and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of Indiana.
Commercial Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Ann Arbor, MI
Profile Summary
About John A. Shea at a Glance
John A. Shea is a criminal defense, business, real estate, white collar, and estate litigation attorney based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, practicing at John A. Shea. Admitted to practice in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association and Michigan, State Bar of Michigan. Educated at The University of Michigan Law School (J.D., 1982). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serves clients in Ann Arbor, MI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About John A. Shea
- John Shea is an attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has been in private practice since 1988
- He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983 and to Michigan's bar in 1985, and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of Indiana
- He has a trial practice in state and federal courts devoted primarily to criminal defense, but he also represents clients in civil cases with criminal law undertones, commercial and real estate litigation, professional malpractice defense, and in proceedings before the Attorney Discipline Board and other disciplinary agencies
- He has appeared before courts and tribunals throughout Michigan, and in various other states as well
- Mr. Shea is a graduate of the University of Michigan (BA Economics, 1979; JD, 1982)
- He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (Chair, Prisons/Corrections Council 2011-2013; Co-Chair, Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice Committee, 2023- )
- Washtenaw County, Illinois State and American Bar Associations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (Rules/Laws Committee, Co-Chair 2008- )
- Criminal Defense Lawyers of Washtenaw County (President, 1992-1994)
- and the ACLU of Michigan (Washtenaw County Lawyers Committee, 2000-2023)
- He also is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers (President, 2022) and the Michigan State Bar Foundation, is an advisory board member of Michigan Partners in Crisis, and served as a Commissioner on the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission (2015-2024),
Practice Areas Explained
John A. Shea's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John A. Shea handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Ann Arbor.
Criminal Defense in Ann Arbor
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
John A. Shea is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Michigan →
Business & Corporate Law in Ann Arbor
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
John A. Shea is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Michigan →
Real Estate Law in Ann Arbor
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
John A. Shea is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Michigan →
White Collar Crimes in Ann Arbor
John A. Shea is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Michigan →
Estate & Trust Litigation in Ann Arbor
John A. Shea is one of 19,876 estate litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate litigation attorneys in Michigan →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Ann Arbor
Practicing law in Michigan. Legal matters in Michigan are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Ann Arbor are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Michigan state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Michigan brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Michigan courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Ann Arbor Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Ann Arbor-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Michigan attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Ann Arbor or all attorneys in Michigan.
Frequently Asked
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Ann Arbor Choose John A. Shea
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish John A. Shea's practice in the field of criminal defense, business, real estate, white collar, and estate litigation.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association and Michigan, State Bar of Michigan, John A. Shea can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering criminal defense, business, and real estate, John A. Shea can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Ann Arbor
A Ann Arbor-based practice means John A. Shea attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues John A. Shea Handles in Ann Arbor
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters John A. Shea has experience with under Michigan law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact John A. Shea directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find John A. Shea Online
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John A. Shea's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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