Barton Law Firm

Sheila J. Barton has been an attorney for over 30 years and has held judicial appointments in two states (Nebraska and Wyoming). Her experience is multi-faceted giving her an insight into all stages and challenges of her clients’ lives. She is licensed to practice law in California, Nebraska and Wyoming.

As a judge, Sheila presided over a variety of cases, including probate, adoptions, civil cases, criminal cases, juvenile cases, termination of parental rights, small claims cases, municipal code violations, extradition hearings, felony preliminary hearings and the issuance of search and arrest warrants.

As a solo practitioner, Sheila’s practice included probate, personal injury, medical malpractice, family law, adoptions, criminal law, bankruptcy and contracts.

While serving as In-house Counsel for a national nonprofit corporation, Sheila handled the corporation’s contracts (including government contracts, grants and cooperative agreements), contract negotiations, compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, employer-employee relations, leases, intellectual property protection, initiation and response to legal processes and litigation, investigation of employee complaints and oversight of corporate governing structure, including bylaws and articles of incorporation, ensured compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, and management training. She also assisted justice agencies throughout the nation and U.S. territories on the implementation of federal and state mandates, such as the Brady Bill. In addition, she held the office of Secretary-Treasurer of the corporation.

Sheila also has taught for California State University at Sacramento, College of Continuing Education, Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigation.  She provided instruction to law enforcement investigators on judicial expectations of investigators’ courtroom testimony and demeanor and search warrant requirements.

Bar Memberships/Admissions to Practice

The State Bar of California

Desert Bar Association

Nebraska State Bar Association

Wyoming Bar Association

Supreme Court of the United States

United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

United States District Court for the District of Wyoming

United States District Court for the District of Nebraska

Publications and Research

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Survey of Criminal History Information Systems, 1999 (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 2000)

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Survey of Criminal History Information Systems, 1997 (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1999)

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Survey of Criminal History Information Systems, 1995 (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1997)

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Survey of Criminal History Information Systems, 1993 with Supplementary Information on Presale Firearm Checks, 1994 (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1995)

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Survey of Criminal History Information Systems, 1992 (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1995)

Technical Bulletin: Imaging Enhances Justice Data Management (SEARCH/U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1994, co-author)

Proceedings of the National Conference on Improving the Quality of Criminal History Records (U.S. Department of Justice, 1990, contributing presenter)

Access to Criminal History Records by TASC Programs: A Report on Current Practice and Statutory Authority (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1990)

Criminal Justice Information Policy Series, Juvenile Records and Recordkeeping Systems (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 1988, co-author)

Additional Employment History

Law Clerk, Supreme Court of Wyoming, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Public Defender, City of Cheyenne, Wyoming; Legal Specialist, State Department of Correctional Services, Albany, New York.      

Education

J.D.     University of Nebraska College of Law

B.A.     Augustana College, South Dakota – Magna cum Laude

Hometown

Huron, South Dakota