Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.

PRO

Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.

4.7
51 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 32 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Fort Lauderdale, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Federal Crime, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

101 N.E. Third Avenue, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Free Consultation

About Richard

Biography

Aggressive & Proactive. Former Prosecutor. 25 years experience. 954 210-5287

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

Federal and State Criminal Trial & Appellate Practice with Offices in Philadelphia, PA and Fort Lauderdale, FL

33 years | 1,000 cases

40%
Federal Crime 30%

33 years | 800 cases

30%
DUI and DWI 20%

33 years | 1,000 cases

20%
Domestic Violence 5%

33 years | 750 cases

5%
Juvenile Law 5%

33 years | 500 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 5 minutes

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2024
Platinum Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 32 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1993

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

RICHARD A. MERLINO, P.A.

101 N.E. Third Avenue, Suite 1500, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301

richardamerlino.com

Philadelphia Office

1500 Market Street, Suite 2727, Philadelphia, PA, 19102

richardamerlino.com

Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.'s Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (32) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Consumer Protection

Posted by John | April 03, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Consumer Protection

Deep regret

Be sure and read the fine print on the retainer. I didn't and lost $10,000 for 1 days representation. Retainer suggests by the hour but goes on to say 'considered earned when paid' which in legal jargon for no refunds. In my situation I hired him but found a lawyer local (Texas) 1 day after paying re...tainer. He did nothing. Legal: yes immoral: absolutely. Then led me to believe he was returning my money only to open a copy of his engagement letter and a check for $800. In hindsight I'm glad I found out early what type of man I hired.

Richard Merlino

Replied last April 03, 2020

"John," I find your defamatory allegations disappointing and disingenuous to say the least despite my long tenure in a very adversarial profession. The Firm was hired pursuant to a formal plain language flat fee written agreement to initiate proactive investigative research, review of corporate documents and communications, and communication with the Government during the investigative stage of an alleged federal, multi-corporation, large scale medicare fraud scheme involving, at a minimum, tens of millions of dollars in total loss to the United States Medicare Program. The allegations included, in part, not only a scheme to defraud the Medicare Program, but vulnerable elderly Medicare recipients. Most of the work on this matter was done in good faith even prior to receipt of the executed flat fee agreement and fee payment. The flat fee agreement was discussed with you at length prior to your execution of same. As a 27 year criminal trial attorney with a pedigree in federal trial practice who has been the Chairperson of 2 Florida Bar Ethics Grievance Committees, I find it repugnant and ironic, given the allegations, that our timely and efficient efforts have resulted in this unfortunate situation. A fair reimbursement was provided.

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Richard Anthony Merlino Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Richard
Jonathan S. Friedman headshot
Jonathan Friedman

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly recommend Attorney Richard Merlino. I have handled numerous criminal matters with him. We have worked as co-counsel on complex criminal matters. Mr. Merlino is highly skilled and competent in his field. He is well respected among our peers and I find him to have high ethical standards. I completely endorse Richard with no reservations whatsoever."

Steven Daniel Eisenband headshot
Steven Eisenband

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Rich is one of the most committed and dedicated attorneys I've ever worked with. I wholeheartedly endorse Rich and his team and look forward to working with them again in the future."

Joshua Scott Danz headshot
Joshua Danz

Unknown lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've known Rich for approximately six years. There are few, if any, more professional, well-respected attorneys in the courthouse. Having worked many cases against him, I can attest that Rich has an excellent reputation and knows the law as well as anyone. He's an exceptional trial lawyer who always fights for his client's best interest!"

Martin L Roth headshot
Martin Roth

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have tried cases with Richard. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer with the ability to win cases other less skilled lawyers might lose. He is a difference maker for those who truly care about their freedom."

Richard Hartley Gaines headshot
Richard Gaines

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Rich for many years, and had the opportunity to share several clients with him. Rich is a zealous advocate for his clients, achieves great results, and the clients we shared have provided overwhelmingly positive reviews of his services. I highly recommend Rich as a criminal defense lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Joshua Scott Danz headshot
Joshua Danz

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

Work Experience

2006 - Present

Partner, VOLUCK & MERLINO, PL

1995 - 1997

Felony Trial Unit Prosecutor, Broward County State Attorney's Office

1993 - 1995

Supervisor County Court Division, Broward County State Attorney's Office

Sample of Legal Cases

STATE OF FL. V. G. PEREZ

NOT GUILTY VERDICT

STATE OF FL. V. DANIEL SCALA

Guilty of lesser included offense, Case still pending appeal

STATE OF FL. V. C. KERTESZ

HUNG JURY, CASE LATER DISMISSED

STATE OF FL. V. C. RODRIGUEZ

NOT GUILTY

U.S. V. N. THOMPSON

ACQUITTED OF ARMED TRAFFICKING

STATE OF FL. V. HASCO LOGAN

NOT GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. E. SPITALIERI

Guilty of lesser: Manslaughter

STATE OF FL. V. EVERETT LEON

NOT GUILTY VERDICT, ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. A. HAMZE

NOT GUILTY OF MURDER

STATE OF FL. V. JEFFREY FRYE

NOT GUILTY VERDICT ON ALL COUNTS

STATE OF FL. V. VOLNEY MONDELUS

NOT GUILTY VERDICT

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

Speaking Engagements

2004

BARRY UNIVERSITY, PRE-LAW STUDIES

CRIMINAL LAW

Languages

Spanish

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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