Legal Elite Awards 2019

US BUSINESS NEWS / 2019 Legal Elite Awards 25 , Katz & Phillips, P.A. Katz & Phillips, P.A.: Best Criminal Defense Firm - North Central Florida May19019 For more than a decade Katz & Phillips has been providing award-winning criminal defense services to clients across Florida. We profile the firmand discuss the vast experience and dedication to client service that has driven it to win this prestigious award two years in a row. At Katz & Phillips, P.A., partners David Katz, James Phillips and their full group of highly skilled attorneys handle cases as a team. Mr. Phillips told us that he is proud of all the lawyers at his firm and the entire team for helping achieve this prestigious award for the second straight year. The firm primarily focuses on two areas of the law – firearms cases including the Second Amendment rights of their clients and DUI Defense. Mr. Phillips also has a large sex crimes practice and handles Federal cases throughout the country. David Katz and James Phillips are the authors of the leading book on firearms law in the state of Florida, now in its third edition.Their book, Florida Gun Law: Armed and Educated is available in book stores, gun stores, shooting ranges and on Amazon. Additionally, James Phillips and David Katz are both Board- Certified DUI Defense attorneys. In fact, they are two of only 4 attorneys in Florida to achieve Board Certification in DUI defense. Together, they have built a team of lawyers who work together on cases to achieve the best possible results for their clients. It is not unusual at Katz & Phillips, P.A. to have two or three attorneys reviewing a case together. It is this team approach that really sets the firm apart from other criminal defense firms. Katz & Phillips, P.A. are also the Florida attorneys for U.S. Law Shield, an insurance program for gun owners. U.S. Lawshield policy holders have 100% or their legal fees covered in both criminal and civil cases arising from self-defense situations. There are currently more than 50,000 Floridians insured by U.S. LawShield who trust Katz & Phillips, P.A. to defend them if the need arises. U.S. LawShield chose Katz & Phillips, P.A. to represent its Florida members due to the firm’s expertise in Firearm law and the firm’s reputation as no-nonsense, aggressive defense attorneys. David Katz, James Phillips, and their team of attorneys routinely lecture at seminars throughout the State of Florida, lecturing on Self-Defense, Justifiable Use of Force, Castle Doctrine, Stand Your Ground and Surviving an Active Shooter Encounter. David and James are also on the Board of Directors of the American College of 2nd Amendment Lawyers, an organization whose primary function is to educate attorneys nationwide to defend 2nd Amendment rights of their clients. James Phillips began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney for the 1st Judicial Circuit of Florida and then the 18th Judicial Circuit of Florida. As a prosecutor, he gained valuable knowledge and trail experience that he now uses to defend individuals facing criminal charges in both state and federal court. As a criminal defense attorney, James has accumulated many honours and awards including receiving an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and a Superb Rating (the highest rating) from AVVO since 2011. James speaks at national criminal defense seminars and has trained attorneys throughout the country on jury selection, cross-examination and trial strategies in criminal trials. James is a published author on topics regarding DUI Defense, Jury Selection, Plea Bargaining, Cross- Examination, and Trial Strategy. He has authored or co-authored eight books on DUI & Criminal Defense including manuals used to train other attorneys. James is also an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor and NRA Certified Range Safety Officer. David Katz began his criminal defense career practicing exclusively DUI Defense. Due to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Katz has been selected to the faculty of the National College for DUI Defense and holds a seat on its Board of Directors as a Regent. Further, David has achieved many professional awards for criminal and DUI defense including an AV rating (the highest rating possible) from Martindale Hubbell, the oldest and most respected lawyer rating organization. Further, David has been recognized among the top 1% of most honoured professionals by the American Registry. David has quickly become a nationally known defense attorney. David has authored or co-authored eight books on DUI & Criminal Defense including manuals used to teach other attorneys how to defend their clients in DUI and criminal cases and is frequently invited to speak at DUI and criminal defense seminars across the country, teaching other attorneys how to defend their clients charged with crimes. In addition to their full work schedules, David and James always make time to serve the community and both serve on the Board of Directors for Dancing with Diabetes, a local charity whose focus is raising money for Diabetes education and research. Katz & Phillips, P.A. has also given thousands of dollars in scholarships to law students. Ultimately, over the years Katz & Phillips has built a unique practice based on dedicated, consistent and compassionate help for those accused of criminal offenses. Looking to the future, the team will remain committed to providing this exceptional level of support and service to its valued clients. Contact: David S. Katz Website: orlandocriminalteam.com