PRO
also known as L. Derek Byrd
Virtual Consultation Available
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.
2
Practice Areas
30 years
30 years
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: Florida
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Fax
2151 Main St Ste 201, Sarasota, FL, 342376023
thebyrdlawfirm.com/
Other places you can find Derek online.
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | March 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Professional, with personal touch; strong action
Derek Byrd listened to my circumstances, explained the legal situation, and took care of the situation through strong action from thereon. Throughout the process Mr. Byrd and his associates kept me appraised of the situaion, ultimately resolving the issue to my satisfaction.
"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."
"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."
"I'm a criminal defense attorney, but if I or a family member ever got a DUI, I would hire Derek."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse Mr. Byrd. He is a highly skilled trial lawyer that aggressively fights for the rights of his clients."
"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."
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
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2023
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2022
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2021
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2020
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2019
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2018
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2017
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2016
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2015
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2014
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2013
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2013
Best Lawyer, Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers in America
2013
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
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2010
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2009
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2008
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2007
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2006
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1998 - Present
Lead Trial Attorney, Byrd Law Firm
1996 - 1998
Felony Trial Attorney, Public Defender's Office
2012 - Present
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (State wide Chapter)President
2012 - Present
Sarasota County Bar AssociationPast President
1997 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense AttorneysMember
1997 - Present
Inn Of Court, Sarasota CountyMaster
1996 - Present
Florida BarMember
1997 - 2008
Florida association of criminal defense attorneys (sarasota chapter)Past President
1995
Juris Doctorate
1990
BS - Bachelor of Science
N/A
law
2012
Criminal law
2012
English