Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Florida - Barbara Blount-Powell

Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Florida - Barbara Blount-Powell

INFORMATION - Barbara has practiced criminal defense in Alachua County and the Eighth Judicial Circuit since 1984, handling criminal matters including murder, manslaughter, dui/vehicular manslaughter, possession, sale and trafficking in drugs, robbery, burglary, grand theft, forgery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, gun crimes, and numerous other felony and misdemeanor offenses. Before joining DeThomasis & Buchanan, P.A. in 2001, Barbara practiced criminal law as an assistant Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit for over sixteen years. Barbara was a member of the defense team for Danny Harold Rolling from 1992 through his capital murder sentencing proceeding in February of 1994.

She is a past President , Secretary, and Chapter Representative to the State Board for the 8th Judicial Circuit Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Barbara continues to participate in educational enhancement through DUI and criminal law seminars. She also participates in the mentoring of fellow bar members through the American Inn of Court.

Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1979, Barbara initially practiced in the area of civil litigation in Miami, FL. Leaving the practice of law for a year before returning to Gainesville in 1984, Barbara sailed the Caribbean aboard a 60' schooner as First Mate.

Attorney Rating: Since 1868, generations of lawyers have relied on the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory as an authoritative guide to the American legal profession. The Martindale-Hubbell database is regarded as a primary research source for information and ratings of law firms and attorneys around the world. Barbara Blount-Powell’s attorney rating is AV PREEMINENT - the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell. According to Martindale-Hubbell, an "AV rating indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Graduate: University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, FL
Degree Earned: Juris Doctor - August 1978

Undergraduate: Duke University, Durham, NC
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts, 1975
Majors: Political Science and Economics

Law Review, University of Florida College of Law, Board member 1976-78
University of Miami School of Law, visiting student 1977-78, Miami, FL
High Honors, Spring 1978; "Book Award," Creditors/Debtors Rights, Spring 1978, University of Miami

Ashley Hall, High School Diploma, 1971, Charleston, SC

WORK EXPERIENCE

2001 - Present - DeThomasis & Buchanan, P.A., criminal defense practice

1984 - 2001 - Assistant Public Defender, 8th Judicial Circuit, Gainesville, FL
(Felony Assistant 1986 - 2001)

1983 - 1984 - Moorings Ltd., Tortola, British Virgin Islands - mate/chef, charter sailing yacht "Bright Star"

1980 - 1983 - Salley, Barns, Pajon, Guttman and Del Valle, P.A., Miami, FL - Associate, commercial litigation

1979 - 1980 - Highsmith and Strauss, P.A., Miami, FL - Associate, personal injury litigation

1978 - 1979 - Turner and Morris, P.A., Gainesville, FL - law clerk, criminal defense practice

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Member, Florida Bar, admitted in April 1979

President, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1990-1991

Vice President/President-elect, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1989-1990

Secretary, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1988-1989

Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1988-present

Chapter Representative, Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1990-1992

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (initial membership 1979)

Member, Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar 1986-present

Currently Emeritus Member, James C. Adkins, Jr., American Inn of Court, member since 1995

Member, Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

"Blood, Breath and Tears" Annual DUI Seminar
Sponsor: Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2003-2011

Annual Criminal Law Certification Review
Sponsor: Florida Bar Association and Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2004-2011

"Intoxilizer 8000" Seminar
Sponsor: Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sept. 2005

Participation and presentation on various legal topics through American Inn of Courts

PERSONAL

A sixth generation Floridian who called Deland “home base,” Barbara spent most of her youth as a Navy dependent living all over the United States and its territories. She attended thirteen elementary schools and three high schools before the family moved to the Canal Zone in Panama for most of her college career. An avid horsewoman, Barbara pursues her equestrian interest in jumping and eventing and serves as “groom” to her aspiring teenagers.

Returning to Florida for law school in 1975, Barbara made Gainesville her home. An interest in criminal law was originally fostered by an uncle who was a sitting Florida judge for more than thirty years. His love of the law, particularly criminal law, gave Barbara an early interest and exposure to its substance and development in this state.

Barbara married Scott in 1992 and they have two children. They live on a small “farm” in Alachua County.