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Leonard A. Sands, Esquire is living his boyhood dream. He has always wanted to be a lawyer - a criminal lawyer - protecting the rights we as Americans each hold dear. As one of the top graduates in his class in law school, Leonard was recruited by the United States Department of Justice Attorney General's ‘Honors Program.’ Serving in the Attorney General's Honors Program, he went to Washington to join the then relatively new Organized Crime & Racketeering Section.
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Since 1979, Leonard and his partner have been in private practice in Miami, Florida, limiting their focus to all kinds of criminal cases both in the federal and state courts in Florida and elsewhere. Leonard has developed a reputation for exceptional skill in white collar, fraud, tax, RICO and complex criminal cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
For many years, Leonard has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and also served as a past President of the Miami Chapter. Recently honored by the South Florida Legal Guide, he was named a "Top Lawyer" in Criminal Law for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and, 2011. He is listed in SuperLawyers, 2011.
Leonard and his partner are both AV rated & listed in Martindale-Hubbell's © Directory of Pre-Eminent Lawyers.
Feel free to call or e-mail to discuss how we can help you or someone you care about.
Leonard A. Sands practices in the following areas of law: Criminal Law; White Collar Crime; Appellate Practice.
Admitted: 1972, New York and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; 1973, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth and D.C. Circuits; 1975, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 1977, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1978, Florida; 1979, U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; 1980, U.S. Tax Court; 1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; 1984, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida; 1991, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Law School: Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 1971
College: Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, B.S., Accounting, 1968
Member: Dade County Bar Association (Member, Committees on: Federal Courts, 1983—; Criminal Courts, 1996—; Chair, Criminal Courts Committee, 1999-2000; United States District Court Peer Review Committee, 1989-1995); The Florida Bar (Former Chair, Grievance Committee); Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Director, 1998—; President, 2001-2002, Miami Chapter).
Biography: Recipient, Judge Nathan R. Sobel Prize for Graduate with Highest Grade in Criminal Law. Selected, U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program Graduate. Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Organized Crime and Racketeering Section, U.S. Department of Justice, 1971-1979. Recognized as a "Top Lawyer" in Criminal Law by South Florida Legal Guide, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; and, SuperLawyers Magazine, 2011.
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Practice Area
53 years | 5,000 cases
Always
State: Florida
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
State: New York
Acquired: 1972
No misconduct found
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Law Offices At Brickell Bay - Suite A-1, 2333 Brickell Avenue, Miami, FL, 33129-2497
leonardsands.com/56 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Tax
Posted by Benzino | March 01, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Tax
Benzino client
Leonard Sands is a real life super hero, rather super lawyer! I was dead in the water indicted on a federal tax charge. He literally beat the case like a magician, an all white jury in Boston Ma. found me not guilty on 2 charges. I owe him big time. Love you Leonard.
Posted by Will Orozco | November 10, 2016 | Tax
Exceptional Lawyer
I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Leonard on a tobacco case. I work with many lawyers in my consulting business and I must say Leonard is by far one of the best I have ever worked with. He got the government to reduce the audit liability by over 60%, penalties waived and 12 month no ...
Posted by David | December 18, 2014 | Tax
The "Best" Criminal Attorney you can have. I wouldn't use anyone else.
I've known and used Leonard Sands since 1982. He was recommended by a good friend of mine in the Justice Department. I was 20 years old at the time, Leonard defended my case with a positive outcome. Leonard's expertise in criminal tax cases is second to none. We remained friends threw the years an...
"I had the opportunity of a lifetime last year, I worked with Leonard Sands on a major federal white-collar criminal case. Mr. Sands is a wealth of knowledge not only in law, but in every aspect of life. It was a pleasure working with him and I look forward to working with him again!"
"I have worked with Leonard on highly complex RICO and Federal fraud cases over the years. He is always prepared, professional, patient and demonstrates a superb working knowledge of the relevant laws. I have benefitted from his keen intellect and intuition on numerous occassions. I would surely recommend Leonard Sands without hesitation for any major criminal matter that arises. I have worked some highly complex RICO and fraud cases with Leonard and have always benefitted from his passionate thoughts, impeccable preparation, keen intellect, and his knowledge of the law. Always a professional and always patient and polite. I would highly recommend him for anyone facing charges or a government probe."
"We worked together on a case. He is a thorough intelligent person who leaves no stones unturned. He is also a wonderful human being. I am so very grateful to know him."
"I have worked with and consulted with Leonard Sands on a variety of criminal matters for more than 25 years. He is experienced, knowledgeable and well-prepared. He always provides his clients with excellent representation. If a family member of mine needed the services of a criminal defense attorney, I would not hesitate to refer him to Leonard."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Sands is a street smart attorney with years of experience, licensed in both NY and Fl he is a great choice if you are in trouble!"
"I have had the pleasure of working with Leonard Sands recently on two criminal defense cases. I cannot say enough about his professionalism and legal expertise. As a young attorney I feel truly privileged to have gained the experience of witnessing Leonard prepare clients and advocate for them with absolute zeal and precision in court. Leonard's hard work and preparation of his cases ensures perfection. I can only hope to reach his level of legal expertise."
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2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
'Top Lawyer n Criminal Law', South Florida Legal Guide
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Top Lawyer in Criminal Law, South Florida Legal Guide
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
'Top Lawyer in Criminal Law', South Florida Legal Guide
2010
'Top Lawyer in Criminal Law', South Florida Legal Guide
2009
'Top Lawyer in Criminal Law', South Florida Legal Guide
2008
'Top Lawyer' in Criminal Law, South Florida Legal Guide
2007
'Top Lawyer' in Criminal Law, South Florida Legal Guide
2006
'Top Lawyer' in Criminal Law, South Florida Legal Guide
1985
AV Rated (over 25 years), Martindale-Hubbell
1971
Attorney General's Honors Program, United States Department of Justice
1971
Prize for Student w/ Highest Grade in Criminal Law, Brooklyn Law School
1967
Junior of the Year Leadership Award, Brooklyn College
N/A
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
1979 - Present
Shareholder, Sands & Moskowitz, P.A.
1971 - 1979
Trial Attorney-Criminal Division, United States Department of Justice
1988 - Present
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - StatewideDirector
2001 - 2002
Florida Association of Criminal Lawyers - Miami ChapterPresident
2000 - 2001
Dade County Bar AssociationChair, Criminal Courts Committee
1971
Juris Doctor
1968
B.S.
Spanish
English