Temple University Beasley School of Law Remembers James A. Shellenberger

I graduated in the class of 1989. For those who remember, our school was, at the time, going through a crisis as to our leadership. Professor Shellenberger was placed in charge in the interim, under less than favorable circumstances. He handled the situation masterfully and made me realize that Temple Law School was still very much a place to be proud of, no matter what was happening. He truly was and has been a personal hero and inspiration. He will be missed but never forgotten.

Shell’s crim pro class got me interested in criminal practice. He was also a great communicator and genuinely cared about his students. Just a wonderful guy.

We will always miss you Shell! You were Temple Law in so many ways — care for students, care for the institution and care for colleagues. It is hard to imagine the school, and our legal community, without you. Rest in peace.

Shell was quite simply a One of One. He was my favorite professor at Temple Law. He was single-handedly the most influential person on my career journey. And that influence, even though I didn’t know it yet at that point, started on the first day of law school as a 1L. When he spoke to our class about how to be a successful law student, there was simply something about him that made us really listen. He ran the Rome Study Abroad program after my 1L summer and his influence on me only grew. His wisdom, perspective, and guidance for a 1st generation child of Egyptian immigrants and 1st generation law student who didn’t get a summer job first summer is something I will cherish forever. And during first semester 2nd year when I was offered an early offer to join the Philadelphia D.A.’s Office, I went to Shell for his advice and followed in his footsteps. The next semester, I then took Shell’s Crim Pro II writing seminar. It was the best class I ever took in law school. I ultimately joined the DA’s office and then a few years later moved to Chicago to be an AUSA in the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office. I thought about Shell often and reminisced with many others about him. I was fortunate enough to be back in Philadelphia for work in 2018 and I got to see Shell during that trip and spent a good amount of time with him. During that trip, I also conducted a diversity recruitment presentation to current Temple Law students on why they should consider being AUSAs. Shell was so proud of how far I had come and how I was trying to pay it back to the next generation like he did with me. That same year, Shell also wrote a recommendation for me to waive into the Illinois bar as one of my law school professors. Shell’s wisdom has continued to guide me in my career even after I’ve left public service. I will miss him dearly and I am sad for the future students who will not get to learn from him. Rest easy, Shell. You earned it. We can only hope to continue to make you proud by paying it forward.

Shell was a great professor with a great sense of humor. I have so many wonderful memories of him, and I always smile when I think of a little prank he played on my graduation day (more than a decade ago now.) My last name is at the end of the alphabet, and my row was the last to be called to the stage. Shell was a graduation marshal. When he came to my row, he gave me a high five, said congratulations, and said the law school ran out of time for the graduation ceremony – and would be mailing the diplomas to the last row of remaining graduates. After a pause, he winked and smiled, and then lead us to the stage to graduate. I’ll miss him. Rest easy, Shell.

Shell was the best teacher I had in law school. He taught me how to think like a lawyer. And Shell was very kind to me when I was struggling. Shell was easy to talk to and was very approachable. I wish all teachers were like Shell.

Professor Shellenberger got me excited about becoming a prosecutor in a time when that career is not “all the rage.” He was one of the faces I looked forward to seeing the most when I went back to visit Temple. He will be dearly missed.

Shell was such a kind, inspiring and generous colleague. I cannot believe he is gone. He visited my Torts and Professional Responsibility classes last year and we both had a blast chatting about the ethical issues in “Anatomy of a Murder” and the overlap between torts and criminal law. I learned so much from him over the last couple of years and will treasure each piece of advice he gave me. My most heartfelt condolences to his family.

Shell was one of the first people to welcome me to the law school when I joined over 15 years ago and became a mentor and friend. When I started teaching criminal law I was in his office frequently asking for advice. He was unfailingly generous, encouraging, and inspiring. His love for our students and dedication to helping them develop as lawyers and people was unsurpassed. He will remain a model for all of us. He has been, and will remain, the heart of Temple Law. We miss you Shell!

Shell was kind, decent, down to earth and had great taste in music. Had the privilege of seeing Sonick, Youth and Neil Young with him. May his memory be a blessing.