Shelton Bridges is a fifth-generation native Floridian. He was born in Tallahassee and grew up in Quincy, and has resided in Tampa since graduating from law school in December 1999. Shelton is a longtime HCACDL member, has extensive experience as an APD, ASA, and private attorney, and serves as private conflict counsel in federal court. In 2022, he received the HCBA Criminal Law Section’s Marcelino “Bubba” Huerta III Award for Professionalism and Pro Bono Service. Shelton was elected to the HCACDL Board as a Director in 2025 & now also serves as our second Chapter Representative to the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, joining its Board as well.
Shelton is an avid college sports fan, loves to read and travel, and loves animals. His wife, Damaris, is executive director of Families for Strong Public Schools, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and advocating for public education. His older stepson, Aiden, recently graduated from FSU with a degree in computer science, and his younger stepson, Emmit, is a senior and NCAA athlete at Oregon State Univ. pursuing a degree in physics. Shelton enjoys spending down time with Damaris and their families and friends. He is a member of Hyde Park United Methodist Church, where he taught 5th grade Sunday school for about 20 years and also volunteered with 4th and 5th graders on Wednesday nights during the school year in a program called Club 45.
Shelton believes in working with young people, strives to be a good example to them, and sees volunteering as his way of contributing back to the community where he has lived and proudly called home for more than 25 years.
Education
- 1999 – Juris Doctor and MBA – University of Florida
- 1995 – BA – History – University of Florida*
- 1991 – Graduated from Maclay School in Tallahassee
*National Merit Scholar and Florida Undergraduate Scholar. Attended UF on full academic scholarship as an undergraduate.