Timothy Shields
Partner | Corporate
timothy.shields@pierferd.com
+1.954.661.6201 cell
+1.561.928.0244 office
Miami | Tampa
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About
Timothy Shields helps private equity diligence teams identify cyber, data, and IP risks before they affect valuation or close. Drawing on a practice that spans technology law, artificial intelligence, data privacy, intellectual property, and sports and entertainment, Timothy brings a rare combination of legal depth and technical fluency to complex transactions, finding the exposures that traditional deal counsel often miss.
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Timothy has conducted buyer-side due diligence on intellectual property, technology assets, and data privacy compliance to mitigate risks and maximize deal value. He assists start-ups on seller-side private equity financings and mergers and acquisitions deals transactions by negotiating key provisions related to intellectual property ownership, cybersecurity representations, and post-closing data breach and privacy obligations. He represents a wide range of clients, including start-up companies, athletes, social media influencers, and content creators, guiding them through their distinctive business and personal legal challenges. His practice also encompasses advising clients on critical cybersecurity and data privacy issues, ensuring compliance with regulations such as FTC guidelines, FERPA, and HIPAA. Timothy’s legal career is complemented by his position as an NFL agent, adding another dimension to his ability to understand and address the specific needs of athletes and sports-related businesses.
Prior to joining Pierson Ferdinand, Timothy was a Partner at Kelley Kronenberg. Before that, Timothy spent a significant portion of his professional career at Nova Southeastern University and worked in software development. This background in technology and higher education provides him with valuable insights that inform his approach to intellectual property and data privacy law.
Timothy earned his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Higher Education Administration from the University of Central Florida. He obtained his Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems and Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law, where he graduated summa cum laude as Valedictorian, served as Managing Editor of the Nova Law Review, received Highest Grade awards in multiple courses, and made the Dean’s List every semester. He earned his Master of Laws in Intellectual Property from the University of New Hampshire.
Timothy holds certifications including Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), advanced certifications in Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw, and Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. His multifaceted background, combining legal knowledge, technological expertise, and business experience, positions him to address complex legal challenges in private equity transactions, intellectual property, and the digital economy.
Practices
Communications & Media
Emerging Companies
FinTech and Blockchain
Global Media, Entertainment & Sports
Information Security
Privacy and Data Protection
Technology
Admissions
Florida
Certified NFL Agent
United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida
United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida
Education
University of New Hampshire, Intellectual Property LLM
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College, J.D., summa cum laude, 2018
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College, M.S., 2008
Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College, Ed.D., 2003
University of Central Florida, M.A., 1996
University of Central Florida, B.S. (Honors Program), 1994
Legal Instruction
Foundations of Intellectual Property, NSU Law
Federal Privacy Law, NSU Law
Principles of Information Security, NSU Law
Wills and Trusts, NSU Law
Video Conference Basics, Florida Bar
Certifications
CIPP/US – Certified Information Privacy Professional
Black Belt Lean Six Sigma
Associations
Florida Bar
Media & Communications Law Committee, 2024 – Present
Florida Bar Standing Committee on Technology, 2019 – Present
Secretary, 2021 – 2022
Broward County Bar Association, Member
M&A Boot Camp Coach, 2020
Mock Trial Competition Judge, 2020
Experience
Kelley Kronenberg
Speaking Engagements
Panelist: Nova Southeastern University Sports & Entertainment Law Society 2023 Annual Symposium, April 2023
Panelist: “The Life Cycle of Content Creation In Relation to NIL Rights,” 8th Annual Berkley Law Sports & Entertainment Conference, April 2023
Speaker, “Don’t Tweet Your Password – The Cyber Threat of Social Media,” South Florida AGC, March 2022
Panelist, “IP In South Florida: The Future’s So Bright” IP Palooza, St. Thomas University School of Law Intellectual Property & Cyber Law Society IP Palooza 2021, March 2021
In the News
Featured, “Kelley Kronenberg Launches Cyber Insurance Defense Team,” Law360, October 2025
Quoted, “Marriott’s $52M Data Breach Settlement Points to Emerging Trend,” ALM, October 2024
Quoted, “Florida’s new social media law is raising some concerns about whether it will actually work” WFSU Media, March 2024
Quoted, “Exclusive: Montana banned TikTok. Could Florida be next?”, South Florida Business Journal, July 2023
Quoted, “Thumbs-Down: Patients Are Suing Across the Country Over Hospital Records Accessed by Facebook”, ALM, March 2023
Quoted, “Grab Your Smartphone: Lawyers Are Cashing In on Representing Social Media Influencers”, New Jersey Law Journal, January 2022
Featured, “What’s Next: Lessons From a Cyberattack Trial + Discovery Fight Focuses on Riot Games’ PR Tacts + 9th Circuit Says Judge Misstated Record in Google Privacy Issue”, Law.com, September 2021
Quoted, “Civic Engagement and Crypto: Miami Unveils Its Own Digital Coin”, Cointelegraph, Aug 2021
Quoted, “Breach Ruling Shows Importance of Legal Advice Early After Cyber Incident”, SC Media, July 2021
Quoted, “Cybersecurity & Privacy Policy To Watch For Rest Of 2021”, Law360, July 2021
Quoted, “Top Privacy Developments Of 2021: Midyear Report”, Law360, July 2021
Quoted, “In Global First, El Salvador Deems Bitcoin Legal Tender”, Law360, June 2021
Quoted, “Bitcoin Shaken by Mr. Musk SNS Posting, Limit to Regulation”, The Nikkei (Japanese Wall Street Journal), May 2021
Quoted, “Why Miami Is Generating Major Fintech Buzz”, Law360, May 2021
Quoted, “How murky legal rules allow Tesla’s Musk to keep moving markets,” Reuters, May 2021
Quoted, “Virus Vaccine Tracking To Keep Focus On Data Privacy”, Law360, March 2021
Publications
Author, “E-Discovery Issues During the Covid-19 Pandemic”, Bloomberg Law, June 2021
Co-author, “Quick Start Guide to Data Privacy Laws”, Florida Bar, 2020.
Copyright and Fair Use: Survey of Caselaw and the Doctrine of Fair Use, 2017