Thomas A. Shiels, Attorney

Thomas A. Shiels was admitted to the Bar of the State of Texas in 1981, and was subsequently admitted to the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was educated at Clemson University where he received a B.A. with high honors in 1978, and at the University of Notre Dame, where he received a J.D. in 1981. At Clemson University , he was a member of Phi Sigma Alpha, Sigma Tau Epsilon, and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. At Notre Dame, Mr. Shiels served as an Associate Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review in 1980 and 1981. He served as Chairperson of the Construction Law Section of the Dallas Bar Association, and has previously served as Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor of the Construction Law Section of the Dallas Bar Association. Mr. Shiels is also a member of the State Bar of Texas (Litigation Section and Construction Law Section). He served a three year term as a member of Council of the State Bar Construction Law Section and serves as Chairperson of the State Bar Construction Law Section. He was Chairperson of the State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section Committee studying lien laws and was consulted extensively in regard to the lien law changes passed in 1997 and 1999. Mr. Shiels is the current Legislative Advisor to the State Bar Construction Law Section.  Mr. Shiels is also a member of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry. He authored Texas Statutory Lien Law, Nuts and Bolts 1989 2nd Annual Construction Law Conference, University of Texas . Mr. Shiels also authored Bonds and Liens in Texas 1990, Professional Development Institute, University of North Texas . He is a frequent speaker to attorneys and to construction law groups and trade associations on issues concerning construction law and the Uniform Commercial Code.