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Derek B Brett

10.0

Experience
Industry Recognition
Professional Conduct

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4 Reviews

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7 Peer Endorsements

Lawyers: Endorse this lawyer

Contributor level 12

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Overview

Practice Areas

25% Employment / Labor
13 years, 60 cases
20% Criminal Defense
16 years, 1,500 cases
15% White Collar Crime
11 years, 100 cases
15% Constitutional
8 years, 30 cases

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Fees and Payment Types

Payment types

Cash, Check, Credit Card

Contact Information

The Tate Law Firm, PLLC

1301 West Colonial Drive

Orlando, FL 32804

Office: 407-781-2392

Fax: 407-429-3856
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Law Firm Blog

Languages Spoken

English

About Me

Photos (1)

Videos (0)

I have been actively practicing law since 1996, and have been deeply involved in the legal system since 1991. I believe in excellent client communication and... more

References

Client Reviews	Average Client Rating Former client? Write a review 4 reviews “ONE SPECIAL LAWYER!!!” Posted by: Mary, 9 months ago. Client Review: In a world where the legal profession is generally ranked by the public one slot lower than the most unscrupulous used car saleman, Derek Brett was a... more Flag “Above and Beyond” Posted by: Christopher Wilson, about 2 years ago. Client Review: To say Derek went above and beyond my exceptions would not do him justice. I hired Derek and the guys after I was arrested in a high profile case. To... more Flag View all 4 reviews
Peer Endorsements	Endorsements 7 endorsements Lawyers: Endorse this lawyer Derek is extemely knowledgeable and is recognized as an expert by local media in his practice areas. He is hard working, passionate and very thorough. more Endorsement from lawyer: Ginger Lore , Winter Garden (FL), About 1 year ago I endorse this lawyer. Endorsement from lawyer: Christian Lassen , Philadelphia (PA), Over 1 year ago View all 7 endorsements

Client Reviews

Average Client Rating

Former client? Write a review

4 reviews

“ONE SPECIAL LAWYER!!!”

Posted by: Mary, 9 months ago.

Client Review: In a world where the legal profession is generally ranked by the public one slot lower than the most unscrupulous used car saleman, Derek Brett was a... more

Flag

“Above and Beyond”

Posted by: Christopher Wilson, about 2 years ago.

Client Review: To say Derek went above and beyond my exceptions would not do him justice. I hired Derek and the guys after I was arrested in a high profile case. To... more

Flag

Peer Endorsements

Endorsements

7 endorsements

Lawyers: Endorse this lawyer

Derek is extemely knowledgeable and is recognized as an expert by local media in his practice areas. He is hard working, passionate and very thorough. more

Endorsement from lawyer: Ginger Lore , Winter Garden (FL), About 1 year ago

I endorse this lawyer.

Endorsement from lawyer: Christian Lassen , Philadelphia (PA), Over 1 year ago

Résumé

License

16 years since Derek B Brett was first licensed to practice law.

State	License status	Year acquired	Last updated by Avvo
Dist. of Columbia	Active	2000	12/27/2011
Florida	Member in Good Standing	1996	04/29/2012

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Work Experience

Position	Duration
Partner/Senior Attorney at The Tate Law Firm, PLLC	2011–present
Of Counsel at Egan, Lev & Siwica, P.A.	2010–present

Managing Attorney at The Brett Law Firm, P.A.	2009–present
Professor of Constitutional Law at University of Central Florida	2003–present
Trial Attorney at Weston, Garrou, Walters & Mooney	2005–2009
Associate at Law Offices of Mark L. Horwitz, P.A.	2003–2005
Assistant Public Defender- Lead Track Attorney at Public Defender's Office - 20th & 9th Judicial Circuits	2000–2003
Associate at Gordon, Silberman, Wiggins & Childs, P.C./Law Office of Grant Morris	1999–2000
Assistant Public Defender at Public Defender's Office	1997–1999
Associate at Law Office of Michael J. Rocque	1996–1997
Certified Legal Extern at Public Defender, 2d Judicial Circuit	1996–1996
Certified Legal Extern at Public Defender, 17th Judicial Circuit	1995–1995
Law Clerk at Volunteer Lawyers' Resource Center	1995–1995
Law Clerk at Law Office of Stephen Rakusin, P.A.	1994–1994
Judicial Law Clerk - Honorable Robert J. Fogan at Seventeeth Judicial Circuit of Florida	1993–1993
Law Clerk at Spellacy, Lescano & Duckett, P.A.	1992–1992
Legal Intern at Public Defender - 17th Judicial Circuit	1991–1991

See all 17 job entries

Education

School	Major	Degree	Graduated
The Florida State University College of Law	Law	Juris Doctor - Cum Laude	1996
University of Central Florida	Political Science/Pre-Law	Bachelor of Arts - Summa Cum Laude	1993

See all 3 degrees

Awards

Award Name	Granting Organization	Date
Florida's Legal Elite	Florida Trends Magazine	2010
Attorney of the Year	Florida Democratic Hispanic Caucus	2009

See all 9 awards

Associations

Position	Association Name	Duration
Co-Chair - Legal Panel	ACLU of Central Florida	2009-present
Member	First Amendment Lawyers Association	2005-present

See all 10 association entries

Portfolio

Contribution

Contributor Level 12

Answers:	210	Legal Answers
	5	Best Answers - chosen by asker
	5	Answers marked "I agree" by other lawyers
	49	Answers marked helpful by other users
Guides:	0	Legal Guides
	0	Staff Picks

Cases

State of Florida v. John Stelmack

Outcome: Conviction and Sentence Reversed

State of Florida v. Clinton McCowen

Outcome: State Drops RICO Charges.

State of Florida v. Nicolas Ortiz

Outcome: Case Dismissed by State.

Publications

Article	Publication	Date
Op-Ed: "If You Think Twice, It's Not Alright"	The Heritage Newspaper	2008
"Obscenity Trial?"	"The New Statesman"	2008

See all 4 publications

Speaking Engagements

Presentation Name	Conference	Date
Trayvon Martin Case	Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell	2012
Trayvon Martin Case	Anderson Cooper 360	2012

Rick Scott's Political Agenda	Political Commentary on New Florida Governor	2011
The Voting Rights Act & DoJ Submission Requirements	National Public Radio News	2011
The Unconstitutionality of the Ten Commandments at the Courthouse	FOX-News	2011
Civil Rights Litigation	Day in the Life: Civil Rights & Public Interest Law	2011
Capital Punishment & The Casey Anthony Case	Central Florida News 13	2011
Drug Testing of Recipients of Public Assistance	ABC/WFTV - Channel 9 News	2011
Ethics & Instant Media	Where Do We Go From Here? Law in the Instant Media Age	2010
First Amendment Court Victory vs. City of Clermont	WDBO-AM Radio - First Amendment Victory in Federal Court	2010
Civil Rights & Liberties	Understanding Civil Rights for Special Needs	2010
Election Fraud in Florida	The Mike Malloy Show	2010
Due Process Rights of Taxpayers	Taxpayer Bill of Rights	2010
Tax Payer Rights Upon Confronted by IRS Investigation	Tax Investigations by the IRS	2010
Free Speech & Privacy on the Internet	Say What You Want??	2010
Constitutionality of Municipal Electronic Surveillance	Privacy in the Public Sphere	2010
Civil Rights Lawsuit vs. City of Clermont for First Amendment Violations	News Report on Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit	2010
Constitutionality of School Uniforms	Local Television News Appearance	2010
Unconstitutionality of Arizona's Immigration Law	FOX-35 News Commentary	2010
Wage and Hour Laws & Child Labor Laws	Employee Rights	2010
Internet & Criminal Law	Discussion on Child Pornography & Computer Hackers Implication of the Innocent	2010
Constitutionality of School Prayer and Related State Statute	Debate - School Prayer	2010
Ethical Practices During Closing Arguments	Central Florida Inns of Court Practice Series	2010
Internet Defamation	WFTV	2009
Constitutionality of Potential SLAPP Action vs. Website Publisher	WFTV	2009
Three Dimensional Demonstrative Exhibits in the Courtroom	Voice of America News	2009
Civil Rights & Liberties	Discussion on the Rights of Guantanamo Detainees	2009
Casey Anthony Defamation Case	WFTV Commentary	2008
Voter Protection	WFTV	2008
Misplaced Priorities: The Opportunity Costs of the War Against Iraq	All Out Against the War in Iraq	2008
Establishment Clause Violations Posed By Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendments	"Intersection" - NPR	2008
Discussion of Federal Tort Claims Law & Prisoner Rights	"The Stephanie Miller Show"	2007
First Amendment Rights & Restrictions on Free Speech	"The Big Story" - FNC	2007
Ramifications of Prohibitions on Internet Gaming	"Sqauwk Box" - CNBC	2007
Affirmative Action & the Grutter/Gratz Opinions	Federalist Society Debate Series	2006
Constitutionality of Sexual Offender Residential & Travel Restrictions	"The Big Story" - FNC	2006
Constitutional Legitimacy of the Kelo/Takings Case	Federalist Society Debate Series	2005
Constitutional Implications of Federal Sex Offender Legislation	"The O'Reilly Factor" - FNC	2005
Iraq War; Bush Environmental Policies; Civil Rights	"Flashpoint" - WKMG	2005
Post-9/11 Limitations on Civil Liberties	National Security vs. Civil Liberties	2004
Constitutional Legitimacy of Bush v. Gore	Federalist Society Debate Series	2004
Internet Law Updates - Co-Author of Semi-Annual Update	FALA Semi-Annual Conference
Voting Rights & Election Protection	Election Protection Seminars for Attorneys

See all 43 speaking engagements