Michelle Rachel Yard

Michelle Rachel Yard

5.0
Rating: 9.3

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Orlando, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals, Federal Crime

1317 Edgewater Dr, Suite 4800, Orlando, FL

About Michelle

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Statewide in Florida: Homicide Crimes, Sex Crimes, Violent Crimes, Fraud Crimes, Child Abuse Crimes, Drug Crimes, DUI, Juvenile Crimes, Other Crimes, Post-Conviction (3.850/3.800), Extraordinary Writs

21 years

40%
Appeals 30%

Florida State and 11th Circuit federal criminal / habeas appeals

21 years

30%
Federal Crime 30%

Federal crimes, habeas, and post-conviction (2255/2254)

21 years

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 45 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 20 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2005

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC

1317 Edgewater Dr, Suite 4800, Orlando, FL, 32804

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Michelle Rachel Yard's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

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Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Annette Pinnock | February 21, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Sex Crime

Michell Yard delivers, bringing the family back together.

I hired an attorney who was difficult to reach and often did not return my calls, even though he had been paid in full. After month of frustration, I reached out to a friend to ask if she was satisfied with her attorney. She confirmed that she was, so I decided to contact her attorney, Mis Yard. ...After speaking with Mis Yard, I found peace of mind and was finally able to sleep well. Michelle’s level of experience and knowledge about my case was astounding. It was the best night of sleep I had in six months. After three months, Fitzroy's case was finally closed, and it ended successfully. If anyone is looking for an attorney experienced in handling sex crimes, who responds promptly to calls and texts, visits clients in jail, and delivers results—not just talk—look no further. She is the best.

Posted by Peter | September 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Michelle Yard

Our family was going threw the worst experience in our our life with our son. Which we hope no one will ever go threw in there life. After so many Attorney's we were Blessed with having Michelle Yard as our criminal attorney. Michelle was absolutely amazing with her knowledge and expertise and her ex...perience . Michelle was caring, explained everything until we understood. Our son was looking at 30 years. Michelle and her team with research and determination and experience. The verdict was NOT GUILTY. We can't praise Michelle enough she is the BEST. Definitely recommend Michelle and her team at Joshi Law Firm

See All Client Reviews

Michelle Rachel Yard's Lawyer Endorsements

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George Carson Via headshot
George Via

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 18

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.3 (Superb)

Honors

2016

Joseph W. Durocher "Foot Soldier of the Constitution", Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Michelle Yard, PLLC

2023 - 2025

Attorney, Joshi Law Firm, P.A.

2015 - 2023

Attorney, Federal Public Defender's Office

2005 - 2015

Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit Public Defender

Associations

2005 - Present

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

President (2022-23); President-Elect (2021-22); VP (2020-21)

Education

2005

University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor cum laude

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution