Mr. Shepherd received his undergraduate degree in criminology from the University of Albuquerque, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1978. In 1982, Mr. Shepherd graduated from Texas Tech University School of Law in the top 10% of his class. While in law school, Mr. Shepherd was active in student government activities as class representative and as a member of the Board of Governors. He received awards for excellence in Advanced Mock Trial Practice, was awarded the Order of the Coif, and was selected to the Board of Barristers and the Dean's List for academic excellence. Mr. Shepherd continues to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Society.

Mr. Shepherd was employed with the Albuquerque law firm of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A. from 1982 until January 1985, when he became associated with Allen, Shepherd, Lewis, Syra & Chapman, P.A. In January 1987, Mr. Shepherd became a shareholder of the firm.

Mr. Shepherd is a member of the New Mexico Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association. He has experience trying cases in the municipal and metropolitan courts, state and federal district courts, and handles cases on appeal in the state and federal appellate courts. He concentrates his practice primarily in insurance defense, including construction defects, professional liability defense for dentists, physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, attorneys, architects, engineers, and accountants; products liability; appeals; bad faith claims; and other areas of general tort litigation. Mr. Shepherd is rated "AV" in the Martindale Hubbell Law Directory. This rating, the highest rating available, is based upon peer assessment by other attorneys in the state.