Timothy Shields is a Partner and Business Unit Leader at Kelley Kronenberg who 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.
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 Kelley Kronenberg, 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.
- 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
- Certified NFL Agent
- Florida
- 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
- Panelist: Nova South Eastern 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
- 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



