Kenneth Padowitz
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Kenneth Padowitz, P.A.Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Appellate; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 1986
Education: Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
Call today:
954-928-9849
Kenneth Padowitz, P.A.
888 S Andrews Ave#205
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 Visit website
Details
Kenneth Padowitz is a Preeminent Trial Lawyer practicing for 35 years with over 400 Jury Trials and 35 First-degree Murder Trials. He is committed to strategically representing clients throughout the state of Florida, including those in Fort Lauderdale as well as throughout Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties. He focuses his practice on handling all Criminal Defense cases, many that may include the following matters: white collar crime, drug cases, murder and manslaughter, Burglary, Battery, DUI, sexual offenses, all federal offenses across the U.S. and serious personal injury cases.
In 1982, Mr. Padowitz earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Florida. He then received a Juris Doctor in 1986 from the Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center, where he participated in and won trial competitions all over the State of Florida.
After serving 16 years with the Office of the State Attorney in Broward County as a Homicide Prosecutor, Mr. Padowitz decided to use his skills to defend those facing criminal charges. He has taken more than 300 cases to jury trials and has won 34 out of 35 cases involving first-degree murder. Mr. Padowitz was the first attorney to introduce and receive court approval of computer-animated forensic reconstruction as a form of evidence in Florida and the first in the United States with a written appellate opinion upholding the use of Forensic Animation.
For his achievements, Mr. Padowitz has earned the highest rating possible of AV Preeminent* from Martindale-Hubbell; he has been selected to Best Lawyers; U.S. News and World Report "Best Law Firms"; he holds an Avvo "Superb" rating, 10 out of 10; he has been named in The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 and has also been selected to Florida Trend's Legal Elite. Additionally, he has appeared on hundreds of national and local media programs, including CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Court T.V., the "Today" show, Wolf Blitzer, Phil Donohue, "Larry King Live," "Forensic Files" and "20/20 with Barbra Walters."
Active in the legal community, Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz has served as an adjunct law professor for 17 years. He is a frequent guest lecturer hundreds of times around Florida and across the country, speaking on topics relating to his practice area, Trial Advocacy and Scientific Evidence and he is a member of The Florida Bar and the Federal Bars.
* AV Preeminent and BV Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories: legal ability and general ethical standards.
Preeminent ***** Best Lauderdale Criminal Defense, 35 years, Former Homicide Prosecutor, 400+ Jury Trials, Top Ratings/Awards
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Appellate, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWIFocus areas
Appeals, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, White Collar Crime
- 50% Criminal Defense
- 30% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10% Appellate
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
First Admitted: 1986, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/kenneth-padowitz/
- Florida Bar, 1986
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2019
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1996
- United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1995
- Murder case Not Guilty after oral-sex defense of Fort Lauderdale man - State v. Richard Patterson , 2017
- Jury Trial Civil Verdict: Two Million Forty One Thousand Dollars - Brian Stinson v. Shannon Briggs I sued the former Boxing Champion of the World Shannon Briggs from a South Beach Bar fight while punching my client, a football player with the Miami Hurricanes https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/2015/10/their-first-fight-was-at-a-south-beach-club-their-rematch-at-a-miami-dade-county-courtroom-2005-case/, 2005
- First U.S. Computer Animation admitted in Criminal Trial with a written Appealate opinion upholding it's use in court - State v. Kenneth Pierce, 1993
- Former Florida Homicide Prosecutor and Adjunct Law Professor Ken Padowitz discusses the Travon Martin shooting case on Politics Nation on MSNBC., Politics Nation MSNBC, 2012
- A review of the 35 year career of Trial Lawyer and Legal Commentator Ken Padowitz. With over 400 Jury Trials and 35 First Degree Murder Trials, Ken Padowitz has a resume on paper and experience in the courtroom unmatched by any attorney in the Southeastern United States., Ken Padowitz Justice Video, Law, 2020
- Ken Padowitz appears on Cnn -Nancy Grace to discuss Arias Murder Trial, CNN - Nancy Grace, 2013
- Client was charged with First-Degree Murder. The Defense was that during oral sex, the client believed the "victim" choked to death. After a highly publicized Jury Trial, the client was found Not Guilty. , 2019
- Broward Sexual Assault Treatment Center, Guest Lecturer, Victims Rights, 1990
- Broward County Public School Teacher, 1982
- National Television Legal Consultant, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, COURT T.V., B.E.T., 2000-2021
- Plantation Police Department, Guest Lecturer, Roll call Training, 1986
- Daily Bread Food Bank, 1996-1997
- Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I. Trial Advocacy School, Miami, 1991,1992, 1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001
- S.T.O.P. (Stop Turning Out Prisoners), Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
- National District Attorney's Association, 1986-1991
- Weston Rotary Club, Lecture Presentation, Criminal Justice System, 2006
- Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, Lecture Presentation, Computer Animation in the Courtroom, 1993
- Sawgrass Elementary School, Guest Lecturer, Career day, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
- American Cancer Society, Jail and Bail 1986-2019
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Scientific Evidence class, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
- Pre-Law Advisory Committee, Fort Lauderdale High School Magnet Program, 2000-2001
- Broward Sheriffs Office, Detective training, 2005
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, The prosecution of Lionel Tate v. State of Florida, 2001
- Young Professionals for Covenant House, 1995-1997
- Broward County Bar Association, 1987, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2007
- Broward State Attorney's Office, Lecture Presentation, County Court Division; Opening Statement, Closing Argument, Cross Examination, Direct Examination, Jury Selection, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
- M.A.D.D., Guest Speaker, Roundtable Discussion/Victims Rights, 1991
- March of Dimes, 1994-1996
- Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I./Vehicular Manslaughter Seminar, Tampa, 1993
- Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice,1994
- American Bar Association, 1986-1992
- Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Legal Panel Member, Seminar on media and Legal community, 2005
- Criminal Justice Institute, B.C.C., Guest Lecturer, Sex Crimes, D.U.I. Manslaughter, Criminal Justice System, 1990, 1991, 1992
- Boca Raton High School, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
- Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, 2005, 2006
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Instructor/Coach, Mock Trial Team, 1987-1988, 1995
- Coral Springs High School, Lecture, Criminal Justice System, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Board of Directors, B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, 2005, 2006
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Trial Advocacy Class, Opening Statement, 1996
- Hallandale Police Department, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program, 1998-2001
- Florida Department of Children and Families, Keynote Speaker, Child Abuse Prevention Conference, 2003
- St. Thomas Law School, Miami, Guest Lecturer, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1993
- Anglia Polytechnic University, Great Britain, N.S.U., Ft. Laud., Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System,1996, 1997
- American Cancer Society, 1997-1998
- Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, Evidence Seminar, Palm Beach, 1993
- Piper High School, Guest Lecturer, Florida Gun Laws and the Criminal Justice System, 1991
- Gold Key Civic Association, 1985-1990
- Institute of Police Technology and Management, Faculty Adviser, Development of a felony level course for police officers, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, 2001
- Sunrise Chamber of Commerce, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
- Weston Business Chamber of Commerce, 2005, 2006
- Institute of Police Technology and Management, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I. Manslaughter Prosecution, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, 1991
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Criminal Law Class, Lecture, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
- Seminole Middle School, Plantation, Fl., Lecture, 2003, 2004
- Vice President Membership, B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, 2007
- Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Student Orientation, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Croissant Park Elementary School, Guest Speaker, Student Council installation, 2006
- Broward Sheriffs Office, Homicide Unit, Guest Lecturer, 2015
- University of Florida, College of Law, Gainesville, Lecture Presentation, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1997
- Appreciation for Dedicated Service Award, Broward State Attorney's Office Homicide Trial Unit, Advocate Par Excellence, Minister of Justice, 2002
- Certificate of Appreciation, Broward State Attorney's Office, Take your child to work day, 2001
- Distinguished Faculty Award, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Presented FPAA Annual Conference, 2001
- Outstanding and Dedicated Performance Award, Broward State Attorney's Office, Sex Crimes Unit Plaque, 1990
- Certificate of Appreciation, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Mid-Level Felony Trial Advocacy Course, 2000
- ABA Trial Team Coach's Award, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Nova Southeastern University, 1995
- Judges Certificate of Appreciation, Nova Southeastern University, Law Center
- Mock Trial Competition Judge, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
- Nova Southeastern University - Juris Doctor, 1986
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl. Bachelor of Arts in Education, December, 1982 Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Faculty Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy and Fl. Prosecuting Atty. Assoc.
- Guest Lecturer Nova Southeastern Law School, Opening Statement, Trial Advocacy
- Guest Lecturer, Broward Sheriff's Office, Homicide Unit and Detective training
- Faculty Instructor, University Of Florida Law School, Prosecutor/Public Defender course
- Faculty Instructor, National Student Leadership Conference, American University, Washington D.C.
- Found Qualified – Broward Judicial Nominating Committee for appointment as Circuit Judge, 2001
- Member, Florida Bar, United States District Court, United States Court of Appeals
- Director, American Heritage High School, Plantation, Fl, Pre-Law program
- Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern Law School, 17 years
- Litigated over Three Hundred Jury Trials including Thirty-Five First Degree Murder Trials
- Former Chairman, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Florida Bar Grievance Committee
- Faculty Instructor, University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management
- Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice Institute, Broward Community College
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Mr. Padowitz is an outstanding member of the Bar and has had many trial successes in his career.”
“Kenneth Padowitz is an excellent lawyer, nkowledgable and resourceful. His years as a prosecutor provide him uniques insight and ability to apply to his criminal defense practice.”
“Fantastic attorney respected by his peers and opponents. Nationally recognized as an excellent criminal defense attorney.”
Office location for Kenneth Padowitz
888 S Andrews Ave
#205
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-928-9849
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2017, 2020 - 2024