Ozark Profile: Joseph D. 'Chip' Sheppard III

|tab|

Tell us about your firm.|ret||ret||tab|

Our firm, Carnahan, Evans, Cantwell & Brown PC, has three main practice groups: estate planning and probate; corporate/transactional/taxation; and business/probate and securities litigation, arbitration and mediation. We advise and consult concerning real estate and other mergers, acquisition, divestitures and development; governmental relations; employee benefits; environmental issues; employment; commercial; and banking relationships, transactions and disputes. We have tripled in size since 1995 to better serve our client base that is almost exclusively business and estate related, now employing 30 full-time.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

What areas of law do you focus on?|ret||ret||tab|

My practice has always focused primarily upon representing businesses and their owners in both transactional and dispute-resolution matters. I also represent former customers of brokerage firms in securities arbitration disputes involving suitability, fraud, churning and unauthorized transaction disputes. |ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

What drew you to the practice of law?|ret||ret||tab|

Being young and immature, I thought staying in school for an extra three years and out of the work force was a great idea. I also thought lawyers played a lot of golf and worked half days. My logic was terribly flawed but, luckily, I really enjoy both protecting my clients and pursuing those who have taken advantage of them. |ret||ret||tab|

What are some of the challenges in your areas of practice?|ret||ret||tab|

Helping the client understand the law so mistakes are not repeated, and convincing them that an ounce of prevention prior to a transaction usually avoids disputes and the cost of paying for the pound of cure.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

Tell us about your most memorable cases. |ret||ret||tab|

Generally, representing Branson entertainers and promoters. For example, representing Wayne and Kathleen Newton in a federal court "business divorce," for lack of a better term, with Tony Orlando. Representing Cotner-Litman Productions resulting in a Christian County jury verdict against a Branson real estate developer and theater owner for $385,000 as the value of the Cotner-Litman introduction of Wayne Newton to the developer. Finally, obtaining several substantial punitive and actual damage arbitration awards and settlements on behalf of brokerage firm customers who had been fleeced by large, well-respected brokerage firms from out of town. Many of the disputes result in confidential settlements despite beginning as public records. |ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

Tell us about your family. |ret||ret||tab|

My wife, Silvia, is a real estate agent with Carol Jones Realtors; and daughter, Allie, 15; and son, Nick, 13.|ret||ret||tab|

|ret||ret||tab|

What other careers have you considered?|ret||ret||tab|

I have casually considered in-house counsel or corporate management positions where my 20 years of legal experience could be utilized. |ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]