Francis H. Sheppard

Frank Sheppard serves as Managing Partner of RumbergerKirk and focuses his practice in the areas of professional liability, employment and commercial litigation. A seasoned trial lawyer, Frank represents companies and individuals in complex civil matters, as well as appeals, in both state and federal courts throughout the state of Florida. His practice includes cases that are often high profile and which involve numerous and complex issues including claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and statutory violations.

Frank defends professionals from a variety of industries including legal, healthcare, construction, and financial institutions against claims of malpractice. Frank’s years of experience as Managing Partner have been particularly helpful in his defense of lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice matters. Frank also represents physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants and mental healthcare providers, as well as other business professionals including accountants, insurance agents, real estate agents, architects and engineers. Such claims are brought alleging failure to perform on the part of, financial loss caused by, an error or omission in the service or product sold. Frank was selected as The Best Lawyers in America 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Professional Malpractice Law- Defendants, honor received by only one attorney for each specialty and location.

He represents employers in the public and private sectors in cases involving claims of harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, and violations of civil rights. Frank defends clients against claims of discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion and disability under the ADA. He has particular experience in defending school boards and other educational institutions, including claims based on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Outside of the courtroom, he speaks to clients and public groups on topics pertaining to employment litigation and counsels clients on a variety of employment matters.

Frank also represents individuals and companies in commercial litigation matters including contract disputes, non-compete agreements, real estate disputes and claims under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Frank currently serves on the Catholic Lawyers Guild Board of Directors. He previously served for many years as the Chair of the Board of Directors and member of the board for Hospice of the Comforter and as a member of the Advent Health Foundation Executive Board.

Community

•Catholic Lawyers Guild, Board of Directors

•Advent Health Foundation
Former Executive Board Member

•Hospice of the Comforter Foundation
Past Chairman, Board of Directors

Chairman, Board of Directors

Certifications

•AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Awards & Honors

•Best Lawyers in America, 'Lawyer of the Year,' Professional Malpractice Law-Defendants, Orlando, 2024
•Best Lawyers in America, Professional Malpractice Law- Defendants, 2015, 2017-2026
•Florida Trend Legal Elite for Labor and Employment
•Florida Super Lawyers 2007, 2008, 2009

Articles & Presentations

•Co-author, 'Supreme Court Sides with Alabama Plaintiffs Caught in “Catch-22”, June 2025
•Co-author, 'Florida Legislature Seeks To Rescind Restrictions On Medical Malpractice Damages,' April 2025
•Co-author, 'Court Finds School Board Erred in Punishing Teacher for Political Activity on Social Media,' February 2025
•Co-author, 'Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Nation’s First Religious Charter School,' January 2025
•Co-author, 'Viewpoint: Early Action Key to Mitigating Risk in Professional Liability Claims,' Insurance Journal, September 2024
•Panelist, 'Inside the Minds of Today's Law Firm Leaders,' Special Managing Partner Forum Webinar, June 2023
•Author, 'Florida Supreme Court Resolves Conflict Among District Courts of Appeal over MedMal Notice Period,' July 2022
•Co-author, 'Recent U.S. Supreme Court Decision Alters the Scope of Recoverable Damages Under Anti-Discrimination Statutes Enacted under the Spending Clause Amendment,' June 2022
•Author, 'How Attorneys Can Benefit From Being in the Office (at Least Some of the Time),' Daily Business Review, May 2022
•Author, 'Florida Supreme Court: Insurers can Sue Attorneys for Malpractice Under Subrogation Provision,' June 2021
•Author, 'Fourth DCA Reinforces Chapter 395 Discovery Immunity and What it Takes to Waive It,' June 2021
•'What to Do When Faced with a Complaint Against Your Professional License,' Orlando Business Journal, July 2018
•Co-author, 'Morris v. Muniz: A Sword Against Whom?' October 2018

Frank's News and Insights

08.21.2025
Firm News

27 RumbergerKirk Attorneys Named to the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America

Dan Gerber and Leonard Dietzen Named “Lawyer of the Year;”...

06.04.2025
Employment and Labor

Supreme Court Sides with Alabama Plaintiffs Caught in “Catch-22”

In Williams v. Reed, 145 S. Ct. 465 (2025), the...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Steve Heap

05.28.2025
Education

Supreme Court Denies First Religious Charter School, Leaves Question Over Constitutionality Unresolved

On May 22, 2025, the United States Supreme Court issued...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/Davizro Photography

04.18.2025
Professional Liability

Florida Legislature Seeks To Rescind Restrictions On Medical Malpractice Damages

IMPORTANT UPDATE: On May 29, 2025, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced...

Photo: Shutterstock/Lightspring

02.28.2025
Education

Court Finds School Board Erred in Punishing Teacher for Political Activity on Social Media

Florida’s Fifth District Court of Appeal (Fifth DCA) recently determined...

Photo: Shutterstock/Kaspars Grinvalds

01.31.2025
Education

Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Nation’s First Religious Charter School

On January 24, 2025, the United States Supreme Court granted...

Photo:Shutterstock/Billion Photos

09.12.2024
Professional Liability

Viewpoint: Early Action Key to Mitigating Risk in Professional Liability Claims

Professional liability claims impact a multitude of professions, including those...

Photo: Shutterstock.com/EliteExposure

08.15.2024
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America 2025 Edition Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys

Two Named “Lawyer of the Year” and Two Named “Ones...

09.06.2023
Media Mentions

Survey Says: New Partner Training Is a Key Component of Law Firm Success, Law.com

RumbergerKirk managing partner Frank Sheppard is quoted in an article...

08.17.2023
Firm News

Best Lawyers in America Recognizes 24 RumbergerKirk Attorneys with Managing Partner Frank Sheppard Named Lawyer of the Year

ORLANDO, FL - August 17, 2023 - Best Lawyers has...