Aggressive, dedicated, and well respected Criminal Defense/ DUI Lawyer, board-certified in criminal trial law for the last 19 years, Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” for the past 10 years, Listed in Best Attorneys in America for the past 20 years serving the Sarasota Florida area.Derek Byrd specializes in Criminal Law and is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a Criminal Trial Attorney. The Florida Bar considers Mr. Byrd an “expert” in criminal trial law. The highest level of recognition given by the Florida Bar. Board Certification is based on competency & experience.
Derek Byrd is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar. Less than 2% of attorneys in Florida are Board Certified. Derek Byrd was born and raised in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. He grew up watching his father defend high profile criminal cases in the old Sarasota County Courthouse. Derek’s father’s legal skills and the excitement surrounding the legal system inspired Derek to become a criminal defense attorney. He graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1995 from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut graduating cum laude (top 5% of his class). While in law school, Derek concentrated his studies on criminal and trial law and he served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review Journal.
SARASOTA’S CRIMINAL DEFENSE / DUI ATTORNEY
After being admitted to the Florida Bar in early 1996, Derek went to work for the Public Defender’s Office in Sarasota, where he gained extensive and valuable trial experience. He opened The Byrd Law Firm in 1998. Derek is Board Certified in Criminal Defense and has been since 2004. He is a Past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Statewide Chapter which has close to 2,000 members. Derek also served as the President of the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 1999 – 2001. Additionally, he is a Past President of the Sarasota County Bar. Derek also served as Chairperson of the local Florida Bar Grievance Committee. In 2019, he was awarded the Jim Slater Professionalism Award for outstanding professionalism in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Notably, Derek is also on the Board of Directors of the Innocence Project of Florida, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping innocent prisoners in Florida gain their freedom and rebuild their lives. Additionally, he is the President-Elect of the Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court. He is licensed in all State Courts and the Federal Court, Middle District of Florida. Derek has written articles for the Defender magazine and spoken at FACDL seminars. He is a Life Member of FACDL, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar-Criminal Law section, and the Sarasota County Bar Association. Derek’s wife, Heather, has not only been his partner in life for over 20 years, she is also his Partner at The Byrd Law Firm, and her practice is concentrated solely on family law. They have raised two wonderful young men together.
Practice areas
Being accused by the government of a crime is intimidating, humiliating, and nerve-racking. You need an experienced, zealous, and aggressive advocate by your side. You need someone who is recognized as an expert in Sarasota Criminal Trial Law.
26 years
A major portion of The Byrd Law Firm’s criminal law practice is devoted to DUI defense. DUIs are one of the more prevalent criminal charges in the State of Florida as well as one of the most complex and specialized areas of criminal law.
26 years
Languages spoken
English
The Byrd Law Firm
2151 Main St Ste 201
Sarasota, FL, 342376023
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 1996 | 02/23/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Lawyer, Criminal Defense | Best Lawyers in America | 2013 |
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2013 |
AV Peer Review Rating | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Lead Trial Attorney | Byrd Law Firm | 1998 - Present |
Felony Trial Attorney | Public Defender's Office | 1996 - 1998 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (State wide Chapter) | President | 2012 - Present |
Sarasota County Bar Association | Past President | 2012 - Present |
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys | Member | 1997 - Present |
Inn Of Court, Sarasota County | Master | 1997 - Present |
Florida Bar | Member | 1996 - Present |
Florida association of criminal defense attorneys (sarasota chapter) | Past President | 1997 - 2008 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Florida Defender (FACDL) | President's Column | 2012 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Quinnipiac University School of Law | Juris Doctorate | 1995 |
Florida State University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1990 |
No Law School provided | law | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
FACDL Annual Meeting | Criminal law | 2012 |
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Jacob Grollman, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 25, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Derek Byrd is one of the best criminal defense lawyers Sarasota as ever known. He is well respected by all. His knowledge of the law allows him to provide excellent representation to his clients. I highly endorse Derek Byrd.
Austin Eason, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 18, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse, without reservation, Derek Byrd. I have personally worked with Derek on numerous criminal cases and confirm he is a competent and dedicated advocate for his clients.
Jacob Grollman, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 25, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Derek Byrd is one of the best criminal defense lawyers Sarasota as ever known. He is well respected by all. His knowledge of the law allows him to provide excellent representation to his clients. I highly endorse Derek Byrd.
Austin Eason, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 18, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse, without reservation, Derek Byrd. I have personally worked with Derek on numerous criminal cases and confirm he is a competent and dedicated advocate for his clients.
Cassandra Gorton, DUI and DWI Attorney on Nov 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I'm a criminal defense attorney, but if I or a family member ever got a DUI, I would hire Derek.
Laurie Zimmerman, Litigation Attorney on Nov 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Derek Byrd. Derek is a very hard working and dedicated attorney. He has a great deal of knowledge in both substantive and procedural law and is an excellent litigator.
Matthew Willard, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 24, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Derek is a true professional, and a true believer. He is committed to making sure each client gets the best possible defense, and that the State plays by all the rules. Each time I have sent Derek a client, that client came back to say "thank you" to me for the referral. That says a lot about how well they were treated by Derek and his staff. I would never hesitate to refer Derek another case.
Norman Tebrugge, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 30, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have known Derek for many years. We have tried two first degree murder cases together. In one of those, the Client was acquitted of all homicide charges. Derek is well-prepared and persuasive.
Michael Waddington, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 30, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Mr. Byrd. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer that aggressively fights for the rights of his clients.
Michael Morgan, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I recently had the opportunity to refer a case to Derek's firm. The Client was facing serious criminal charges and in desperate need of expert legal help. I am happy to write that the Byrd law firm managed to get the charges dropped, and won the case. I wholeheartedly endorse this firm. If you are in need of an excellent criminal defense attorney, do not hesitate to call the Byrd Law Firm.