Jon May
About Jon
Biography
From his defense of General Manuel Antonio Noriega at trial, on appeal, at his successful resentencing; to his challenge to Florida’s election law during the contested election of George W. Bush in 2000; his representation of the ACLU in the battle over Rush Limbaugh’s medical records; and his recent articles calling for revolutionary change in the way that criminal defense counsel prepare for trial and sentencing, Jon May has, and remains, at the cutting edge of criminal practice in the United States.
Jon May’s book, “Who says you can’t: Strategy and Tactics for Becoming a More Creative Criminal Defense Lawyer,” Published by NACDL Press. This is a first-of-its-kind publication that demonstrates both the theory and practice of finding creative ways to go about solving seemingly intractable problems in the defense of individuals and companies accused of a crime.
Jon May was mentioned by name, and his stratagem for forcing prosecutors to relinquish control over assets needed for the defense, which he pioneered in Noriega, was discussed by the Supreme Court in its decision in Kaley v. United States, 571 U.S. 320, note 12 (2014). The argument he made in Noriega that untainted assets could not be restrained pretrial by the government was vindicated two years later in the decision of the Supreme Court in Luis v. United States, 578 U.S. 5 (2016).
Jon May’s work has been featured in the Journal of the American Bar Association and in the books Great American Trials and The Case Against the General. His articles regularly appear in The Champion (the journal of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers) and Criminal Justice Magazine (the journal of the ABA Criminal Justice Section). Mr. May has spoken nationally and internationally at seminars and conferences on issues as varied as representing heads of state at trial and at plea bargaining.
Mr. May was previously Chair of the White Collar Crime Section of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), and he is a past Co-Chair of the Defense Function Services Committee of the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association (CJS). He has twice received the President’s Award from the NACDL.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
45 years
45 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 46 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
Creative Criminal Defense Consultants
Boca Raton, Boca Raton, FL, 33428
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Jon May's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
4 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Character & Conduct
Posted by anonymous | October 14, 2008
Client Review
My only regret was that I did not find John sooner. My situation was very complicated and multifactor. After dealing with MANY Attorneys, John is only one that I would recommend. He told me what to expect and did not give me any false hopes. He always gave me detailed explanations of the situations...
Posted by anonymous | October 06, 2008 | Criminal Defense
Kathi Registered Nurse/ Paralegal
Jon represented me for over a year in a criminal matter that could have cost me my freedom, that was the result of allegations made by a former coworker which were false. He was the second criminal attorney who represented me. The first encouraged me to "make a deal" with the district attorney a...
Jon May's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Jon is a very well known and respected white-collar defense attorney who has a deep understanding of this complex area of practice and is passionate about his work"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Jon is a cut above most criminal defense lawyers. He is brilliant and a tenacious advocate. In the case in which we were recently associated, he won the criminal trial in a complex multi-national money laundering prosecution. When I have my choice to associate co-counsel, I choose Jon. He is a pleasure to work with and delivers. His work to improve the criminal justice system in white collar cases is also highly laudable."
"When a cookie-cutter defense won't suffice, when the proverbial chips are down and when one's liberty is truly on the line, it is time to call in the very best expert litigator that you can find. Based upon Attorney May's pedigree of successful litigation in favor of both the private or public citizen accused of a crime or even when a corporation is accused of some nefarious act or inaction, there is little doubt that Attorney May is THE attorney to call in this complicated area of the law. His reputation, knowledge and experience makes him not only the most logical choice, but the easy and clear one."
"Known for plenty of intellectual firepower, Jon May is also a tenacious fighter with outstanding courtroom skills. He has handled some of the most difficult, high profile cases in the country, always performing superbly. Deservedly, he is highly regarded throughout the legal profession, including judges as well as opposing attorneys and prosecutors."
"I have co counseled with Jon May on numerous complex Federal Criminal Cases. Jon May is one of the brightist and most resourceful lawyers I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He is tireless in his efforts to do a good job for his clients. I recommend him highly. Frank A Rubino"
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Experience
Honors
2009
Presidential Commendation, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2007
Presidential Commendation Award, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Attorney, Creative Criminal Defense Consultants
2016 - 2022
Special Counsel, Jones Walker
1986 - 2016
Partner, May & Cohen P.A.
1981 - 1985
Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorneys Office
1979 - 1981
Assistant Public Defender, Public Defender's Office
Associations
2009 - 2011
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersChairman, White Collar Crime Section
2007 - 2008
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersVice-Chair White Collar Crime Committee
2005 - 2007
American Bar AssociationCo-Chair Defense Function/Services Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Thirty year sentence reduced to twenty years; defendant released from U.S. custody.
Parole Commission's restrictions on contact with his religious community removed.
Charges against CCE defendant dropped on eve of trial.
Government's request for five year sentence denied and defendant sentenced to six months house arrest.
Hung jury in $14 million fraud prosecution.
Education
1978
JD
1976
BA
Speaking Engagements
2021
Plea Bargaining,
2009
Ethics and Fees
2007
The Seven Principles of Effective Plea Bargaining,
1996
Head of State Immunity
1993
State Sponsored Kidnaping of Fugitives
1991
Responding to Subpoenas for Information from Bank Secrecy Countries
1989
Foreign Criminal Investigations and Access to US Records Under 28 U.S.C. 1782
Publications
2023
2012
2012
2012
2012
2011
2008
2008
2008
2008
2007
2006
2006
2006
2003
1989
1986
1983
1983
1981
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Guides