Attorney Resume

Board Certified Specialist in Criminal Trial Law

• Certified by the Florida Bar as a Specialist in Criminal Trial Law, 2001through July 2006
• Less than 1% of all Florida lawyers have achieved such a rating
• Attorneys are not permitted to use “Specialist” designation unless Board Certified
• “Specialist” is highest level of recognition given by The Florida Bar
• Designation awarded for a special demonstration of “competency, skill and experience”
• Passed a 7 hour written examination on all aspects of state and federal criminal law
• Judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys provided favorable reviews

Ties to Tampa & Legal Community

• Third Generation Tampa Native
• Practicing Law in Tampa Courthouse on daily basis for 13 years
• Practiced before every sitting Hillsborough County Criminal Court Judge
• Co-Prosecuted with attorneys who are now Hillsborough Criminal Court Judges
• Excellent reputation and well respected throughout courthouse
• Jesuit High School graduate; Parishioner Nativity Church

Former Prosecuting Attorney for Hillsborough County

• Career Criminal Prosecutor - Senior Trial Attorney - Felony Division
• Five years experience as an Assistant State Attorney
• Handled thousands of cases as a Prosecuting Attorney
• Learned the methods, attitudes and practices of law enforcement officers
• Leaned the methods, hierarchy, and influences of the State Attorney’s Office
• Prosecuted Bank Robbery and Homicides
• Prosecuted dozens of Drug Trafficking and Racketeering cases
• Prosecuted hundreds of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana, MDMA, Meth.
• Prosecuted hundreds of Weapons Possession, Thefts, Resisting Arrest
• Prosecuted hundreds of Motions, Violations of Probation, Bond Reductions
• Prosecuted hundreds of DUI cases; approved cases for reduction of charges
• Prosecuted hundreds of Batteries (aggravated, on officers, domestic violence)

Thirteen Years of Criminal Law Experience

• Practiced all aspects of criminal law for 13 years
• Well-Respected by Judges and Prosecutors as a former prosecutor and defense attorney
• Hired by hundreds of clients seeking to have charges reduced, dismissed or not prosecuted
• Defended all types of Drug Charges: Trafficking, Delivery, Poss with Intent to Sell
• Defended all types of Theft /Fraud: White Collar, Org. Fraud, Racketeering, Grand Theft
• Defended all types of Sexual Offenses: Lewd & Lascivious, Sex Batt., Pornography
• Defended all types of Driving Under the Influence: Felony and Misdemeanor
• Defended all types of Weapons Charges: Felon in Possession, Concealed, 10-20-LIFE
• Defended all types of Traffic: suspended license, leaving scene, vehicular homicide
• Defended all types of Battery: great bodily harm, deadly weapon, domestic violence
• Defended all varieties of juvenile, traffic, misdemeanors and felonies
• Filed hundreds of Motions: ROR / Bond, Modify / Terminate Probation
• Motions to Dismiss, Motions to Suppress Evidence
• Motions to Seal / Erase / Expunge arrest, internet and court records
• Often file extensive memorandum of law with detailed legal argument & case citations

Extensive Trial Experience

• Tried over 500 Trials including nearly 100 Jury Trials
• Tried Serious Felony Jury Trials on: Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Robbery Firearm
• Tried Serious Felony Jury Trials on: Drug Trafficking, Armed Burglary, Firearms
• Tried Felony Jury Trials on: Possession of Cocaine, Grand Theft, Suspended License
• Tried Felony Jury Trials on: Battery on an Officer, Resisting with Violence
• Tried dozens of Jury Trials in county court on DUI cases

Recognized for Outstanding Trial Skills

• Awarded University of Florida Law School Scholarship for outstanding trial skills
• Selected as a member of the Florida Gator’s Trial Competition Team

Asset Forfeiture / Property Seizure

State Court Experience:

• Successfully challenged numerous police seizures
• Seeking recovery of vehicles and U.S. Currency in both trial and appellate court
• See, In re Forfeiture of $55,045.00, 809 So. 2d 105 (Fla. 2d DCA 2002)
• See, In re Forfeiture of $55,045.00, 753 So. 2d 735 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)

Federal Court Experience:

• Successfully represented corporation in claim to multi-million dollar real estate holding

Appeals (Criminal, Forfeiture & Police Abuse)

• Represented numerous individuals on appeal in Second District Court of Appeal
• Referred clients by other attorney’s after unsuccessful trial / prison sentence
• Unlawful Sentences, Improper Procedures, Improper Admission of Evidence
• Violation of Constitutional Rights causing reversed sentences and new trials
• Numerous Published Court Decisions including but not limited to:
• Bogdanowicz v. State, 744 So. 2d 1155 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999)
• Seymour v. State, 738 So. 2d 984 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999)
• Landreth v. State, 739 So. 2d 1198 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999)
• Ross v. State, 779 So. 2d 300 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999)
• Stuart v. State, 771 So. 2d 1192 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)
• Curtis v. Sheriff Cal Henderson, 777 So. 2d 1017 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000)

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with Honors, University of Florida, 1988
• Juris Doctor Degree from highly rated University of Florida Law School, 1992
• Passed the Bar Exam on the first attempt
• Admitted to practice 1993: Florida Supreme Court & Federal District Court