Born in April 1967 in Hartford, Connecticut, Shea received his Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in 1989 from Amherst College.

At Day Pitney, he chaired the firm's Appellate Practice Group, while also representing individuals, non-profits and corporations in civil and criminal cases.

In private practice, he argued twenty civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts.

[3] He was nominated to a seat vacated by Judge Christopher F. Droney, who was elevated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on December 1, 2011.

He received a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2012 and his nomination was reported to the floor on April 26, 2012, by a 15–3 vote, with Senators Lee, Coburn and Cornyn casting the no votes.