Lehigh County Attorney Maraleen Shields to Receive PBA Commission on Women in the Profession Norton Award

HARRISBURG (Oct. 8, 2020) — The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Commission on Women in the Profession will present its annual Lynette Norton Award to Lehigh County attorney Maraleen D. Shields, a shareholder at Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba PC in Center Valley, at a virtual meeting on Nov. 6.

The Norton Award was created in memory of Lynette Norton, a founding member of the PBA Commission on Women in the Profession who died in 2002. Norton was an advocate for young women in the legal profession and worked to promote literacy and women’s rights. The award is designed to recognize and encourage female attorneys who excel in litigation skills and who are devoted to mentoring female lawyers.

At Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba, Shields is a member of the healthcare, and litigation and trial practice groups. She represents physicians and medical staffs in the internal Fair Hearing and Appellate process, counsels clients regarding risk and event management, licensure disputes and HIPAA/HITECH compliance, and assists them with achieving compliance with federal and state healthcare laws, regulations and guidelines.

Shields is known for her thorough research of legal issues in her litigation practice, devising novel theories of law, and crafting academic and scholarly briefs which challenge the judiciary. One nominator noted that Shields is ‘committed to providing superior legal services by rigorously preparing for all phases of client representation. And further noted that she ‘never hesitates to take on the challenge of educating herself on everything she can about a case from all sides to make sure she is well versed on all the issues that that may arise.’

Shields is also dedicated to mentoring younger generations of attorneys through cultivating relationships with summer associates and new attorneys at her firm. She aims to impart knowledge and relay skills that will benefit them in their future legal careers, providing opportunities to accompany her at court appearances, depositions and client meetings. Shields also offers detailed and constructive feedback on assignments and follows up with face-to-face meetings in order to ensure better understanding.

Prior to joining Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba PC, Shields held several associate positions at law firms in Philadelphia, Bethlehem and Allentown.

An active member of the PBA, she is co-vice chair of the Health Care Law Committee, a member of the Minority Bar Committee Executive Council and on the editorial staff of its newsletter, Houston’s Legacy, and a member of the Commission on Women in the Profession. Additionally, Shields belongs to the Bar Association of Lehigh County, the Northampton County Bar Association and the American Health Lawyers Association.

Several distinctions and awards Shields has received include the PBA President’s Award, Lehigh Valley Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 and Lehigh Valley Magazine’s Legal Leader.

Shields graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2003, and she received an A.B. from Kenyon College.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access of legal services; and serve the lawyer members of the state’s largest organized bar association.