Atty. Mark Shields
“Family law should be handled by someone who cares.” Mark Shields began with Gillespie, Shields, Durrant & Goldfarb back when it was Gillespie & Associates in 1996, prior to his last year of law school. Since that time, Mark has practiced heavily in the area of family law and appeals and has also had extensive experience in civil litigation, juvenile law, and other related fields.
Alimony & More Attorney · Serving Phoenix, AZ · 29+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Mark Shields at a Glance
Mark Shields is a Partner and Family Law Attorney based in Phoenix, Arizona, practicing at Gillespieshields. They have 29+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1997. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, family law, alimony, and litigation. Admitted to practice in Arizona (1997) and U.S. District Court District of Arizona (1997). Educated at Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1997) and Brigham Young University (B.S. Sociology, 1993). Serves clients in Phoenix, AZ and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Mark Shields in Phoenix
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Mark Shields
- “Family law should be handled by someone who cares.” Mark Shields began with Gillespie, Shields, Durrant & Goldfarb back when it was Gillespie & Associates in 1996, prior to his last year of law school
- Since that time, Mark has practiced heavily in the area of family law and appeals and has also had extensive experience in civil litigation, juvenile law, and other related fields
- Mark is happy to report that his approach to practicing law has changed remarkably little during the recessions that have been endured over the course of his career because he has always sought to deliver true value to his clients
- Whether the case involves millions of dollars or no dollars, Mark has consistently sought to provide his clients the best service for the most accessible price
- Mark has been married for twenty-five years and is the proud father of five daughters
- He is a native of Arizona and has deep Arizona roots, going back four generations
- He is also a third-generation Arizona lawyer
- Mark graduated from Washington High School in Phoenix and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1993 with a degree in sociology
- Before earning his bachelor’s degree, Mark also spent two years in Portugal as a missionary for his church and working with people of varied backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures
- After working for a year or two while his wife finished up her degree, Mark entered the J. Reuben Clark Law School, where he graduated in 1997
- Mark’s law school class was ranked seventh in the nation for average GPA and LSAT scores, so he was immediately initiated into a highly competitive environment
Practice Areas Explained
Mark Shields's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mark Shields handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Phoenix.
Divorce in Phoenix
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Mark Shields is one of 50,071 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Arizona →
Child Custody & Visitation in Phoenix
Mark Shields is one of 30,982 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Arizona →
Family Law in Phoenix
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Mark Shields is one of 185,688 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Arizona →
Alimony / Spousal Support in Phoenix
Mark Shields is one of 10,588 alimony attorneys indexed nationally. Browse alimony attorneys in Arizona →
Civil Litigation in Phoenix
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Mark Shields is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Arizona →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Phoenix
Practicing law in Arizona. Legal matters in Arizona are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Phoenix are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Arizona state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Arizona 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 Arizona courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Phoenix Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Phoenix-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 Arizona attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Phoenix or all attorneys in Arizona.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Mark Shields
Where is Mark Shields's law office located?
What practice areas does Mark Shields handle?
How long has Mark Shields practiced law?
Where did Mark Shields go to law school?
How can I contact Mark Shields for a consultation?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Phoenix Choose Mark Shields
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 Mark Shields's practice in the field of divorce, child custody, family law, alimony, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Mark Shields brings 29+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Arizona and U.S. District Court District of Arizona, Mark Shields can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering divorce, child custody, and family law, Mark Shields can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Phoenix
A Phoenix-based practice means Mark Shields 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 Mark Shields Handles in Phoenix
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Mark Shields has experience with under Arizona 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 Mark Shields directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Mark Shields Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Phoenix commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Mark Shields.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Mark Shields directly.
Mark Shields's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Mark Shields
No reviews yet.