As a former Assistant Federal Public Defender and a former Assistant State Attorney, I have specialized as both an advocate for the State of Florida and those indigents accused of criminal acts in the Federal system. Prior to that time I was in private practice in the Fort Lauderdale area for eight years. For over twenty years, I have represented defendants from organized crime to driving while intoxicated, from major drugs importation to white collar crimes to grand jury work to money laundering. I have represented all manner of defendants from presidents and CEO's of security companies to "Latin Kings," from major construction bosses to native Colombians charged with importing tons of Cocaine. I was the only criminal defense attorney initially selected by the Judicial Selection Committee in the Fort Myers area to be a finalist for a United States Judgeship position in the Middle District of Florida.

I do only criminal work, I do not take on any additional work in any other field of law. I am committed to doing what is necessary to assist my clients in obtaining their objectives in any criminal matter. I realize for the most part, my clients are intimidated by the machinery of the Judicial system especially in Federal Court. My goal is to to provide guidance through what is essentially a critical portion of any persons life. I am sensitive to the needs of my clients and I attempt to provide them with the best course of action through a careful analysis of the law, the factual pattern of the case and the context of the charges against my client, keeping in mind their needs, their goals, and their abilities.

In the last three years since leaving the Federal Public Defender Office, I have re-entered the State System and have represented Clients from first degree felonies to misdemeanors. I have represented juveniles in court and dealt with the juvenile justice system. All the while, I have still maintained a substantial portion of my case load in Federal Court.

Areas of Practice

• 60% Criminal Law
• 30% DUI/DWI
• 10% White Collar Crimes

Bar Admissions

• Florida, 1971
• California
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1971
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1971

Education

• University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, Florida, 1971
  J.D.
  Honors: Public Defender Internship
  
  
• University of Exeter Faculty of Law, Exeter, England
  
  
• Exeter University, Devon, England, 1970
  Major: International Studies
  
  
• American University, Washington D.C., 1968
  B.A.
  Major: Political Science
  Major: History
  
  

Honors and Awards

• Federal Appellate Criminal Law & Habeas Corpvs
• State of Florida Appellate Practice and 3.850 Motions
• Qualified as Expert in Court in State of Florida Criminal Law

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Lee County Bar Association
  
  
  
• Florida Association of Criminal Lawyers
  
  
  
• California Bar
  
  
  
• Criminal Justice Act Panel, 2001 - Present
  
  
  

Past Employment Positions

• State Attorneys Office, Assistant State Attorney, 1971 - 1973
• Abrams & Harris, Partner, 1973 - 1980
• Six LS Packing Company, Manager, Legal Consultant, 1979 - 1989
• U.S. Federal Defender, Assistant Federal Defender, 1989 - 2001