Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes
Licensed in Michigan since: 1993
Education: Wayne State University Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2009 - 2025 Rockind Law
36400 Woodward AveSuite 210
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 Phone: 248-208-3800 Email: Neil S. Rockind Visit website
Details
Attorney Neil Rockind, nicknamed the "Rockweiler," is one of Michigan's most recognized criminal defense trial lawyers. Rockind is on the cover of the 2024 Edition of Super Lawyers Magazine - Michigan. The article is entitled “The Rockweiler: Neil Rockind Fights To Defend the Little Guy”. Known for his quick-witted, no-holds-barred style of defense, Mr. Rockind honed his skills as a trial lawyer during his tenure as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. From 1993 to 1997 he handled thousands of criminal cases, many of which resulted in jury trials. His impressive results lead him to handle complex and high profile cases as a special prosecutor. Rockind is a proponent of "Killer Cross Examination", his style of cross examination of witnesses. Mr. Rockind has won some of the toughest cases imaginable and is known for putting up a fight against the government and prosecution’s case.
In 1997, Mr. Rockind transitioned to private practice where he has been providing clients with aggressive, effective representation as a criminal defense attorney. He has handled countless high-profile cases and has appeared in numerous television programs, including Fox News and MSNBC, as well as major news periodicals across the country. He had defended clients in matters ranging from drunk driving to complex federal cases, low- to high-profile cases alike.
Mr. Rockind is a frequent and sought after public speaker. He has spoken on trial tactics at various seminars all over the state of Michigan, spoken to continuing legal education groups on various legal topics and even gave a highly-acclaimed TedX Talk at Oakland University on Jury Duty entitled, Joy of the Jury.
Mr. Rockind is the author of KillerCrossExamination.com, a website devoted to his style of cross examination. Killer Cross Examination is also the name of the popular podcast hosted by Rockind where he discusses criminal justice issues and interviews some of the country's leading lawyers and newsmakers. The podcast, blog articles and articles about cross examinations can be found here, www.killercrossexamination.com. Some of the nation’s most well known lawyers have appeared on the podcast and discussed their careers, cases and tactics with Mr. Rockind. The guests have included Tony Buzbee, Mark O’Mara, Jose Baez, Lisa Blum, Linda Kenney Baden, Thomas Mesereau, Steve Fishman, Jeff Lichtman, Dan Webb and former lawyer F. Lee Bailey, to name just a few. Mr. Rockind was recently featured on the cover of the Michigan Super Lawyers Magazine: the magazine featured Mr. Rockind in an article titled, “The Rockweiler: Neil Rockind Fights to Defend The Little Guy.” (The Rockweiler In SuperLawyers Magazine)
Additionally, Mr. Rockind is frequently sought for commentary on current legal issues and is the local NBC affiliate legal expert. Frequently, when a celebrity, athlete or music artist finds him/herself in legal trouble, they turn to Mr. Rockind for counsel. Mr. Rockind is among a handful of lawyers that have the experience of handling high profile cases and those that garner signficant media and public interest and obtained not guilty verdicts in what the one of the high profile cases in Michigan, Michigan v Charles Warren. Mr. Rockind was a weekly guest on the Law & Crime Network with Linda Kenney Baden commenting on live trials including Johnny Depp v Amber Heard, Ohio v William Husel to name a few.
Mr. Rockind received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School and has been a member of the Michigan State Bar since 1993.
First Admitted: 1993, Michigan
Professional Webpage: https://www.rockindlaw.com/about.html
Bar/Professional Activity:
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2003
- Member, Michigan State Bar Association
- Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (NACDL).
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1997
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2001
- Member of the Criminal Defense Attorneys Association of Michigan (CDAM).
- Member, State Bar of Michigan, Criminal Defense section
- Member of the Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA).
- Michigan, 1993
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan.
- Member of the State Bar of Michigan, Section on Criminal Defense.
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Michigan v N.S., Dismissal: a marijuana case in which Neil Rockind challenged charges of DUID and OUID. Rockind argued that the charges should be dismissed as Michigan's statute making it illegal to operate with the presence of marijuana in one's system was unconstitutional and that marijuana should not be considered a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance in Michigan. The Court dismissed all charges., 2011
- There are too many to mention.
- City of Sterling Heights v Iveaj: Charges - OWI. Verdict: Reckless Driving. , 2015
- Michigan v Prendi: A five (5) defendant, international cocaine and marijuana conspiracy was tried in the Oakland County Circuit Court in Pontiac, Michigan. The government's case included at least 15 kilos of cocaine that were introduced into evidence in the case, hundreds of pages of phone records, witnesses and police officers from Illinois and Michigan and a multi-jurisdictional, Balkan Organized Crime Task Force. Verdict: Not Guilty on All Counts., 2009
- People v A.B. - Court of Appeals affirmed the suppression of evidence and the dismissal of several marijuana and gun charges against a medical marijuana patient. , 2012
- Michigan v M.A. -- In this DUI/OWI/Drunk Driving case, Rockind took the client's case to trial before a jury in the toughest district cour in the metropolitan Detroit area. Despite an eyewitness claiming to have confronted our client and to have seen him in the driver's seat, Rockind obtained an acquittal from a jury arguing that the evidence didn't prove that our client was operating. Our client faced certain jail on this offense and a supervisied release violation in federal court were he to have been convicted. , 2016
- State of Michigan v Dickow Dehko: the attorney general's office brought a 34 count complaint against our client and charged 9 others including the client's two (2) brothers and their elderly mother with Racketeering and Conspiracy, amongst the many charges. Neil Rockind spearheaded the defense of this case and after two (2) years, obtained a dismissal of every count. Verdict: All counts dismissed., 2009
- Peopld v Jarbo - Acquittal: In a case that Rockind called "one of the most challenging in his career", he defended a woman who was accused of OWI/DUI but who claimed that she innocent and that she only jumped into the passenger seat and admitted to being the driver to protect her younger cousin. The trial which lasted over the course of two (2) days was challenging in that Rockind had to overcome the fact that 1) his client was observed in the driver's seat during the traffic stop, 2) his client admitted to driving and 3) the cousin betrayed his client and testified against her. The client was acquitted by a jury, nonetheless., 2013
- Michigan v "S.E.": On the heels of the acquittals obtained in the Charles Warren/Chad Wolf case, Rockind garnered a second high profile acquittal in the embezzlement case in Eaton County in which a businessman was accused of embezzling over $100,000 of money and parts from a motorcyle dealership. At the conclusion of the 2 week trial, the jury acquitted Rockind's client after just a few short hours of deliberation. When asked, several of the jurors indicated that the cross examinations of the witnesses revealed none to be credible or believable. , 2017
- Michigan v P.L. -- In this arson of dwelling case, Neil Rockind defended a homeowner charged with intentionally burning down his own house in Birmingham, Michigan, a tony suburb in Oakland County. Despite an exhaustive and costly search, Rockind could find no experts to assist the defense at trial. Rockind's cross-examination of the State's arson (cause and origin) expert was legendary -- it resulted in the expert conceding that the fire could have been started accidentally. Overnight, the expert witness contacted the assistant prosecutor handling the case and conceded that the case should be dismissed. The case was dismissed with prejudice the following day., 2010
- City of Troy v Seeman: Charges - Domestic Violence. Verdict: Dismissal., 2015
- The Basket brawl Case -- Neil Rockind defended two (2) individuals in the infamous Basketbrawl case that occurred at the Palace of Auburn Hills when Indiana Pacer Ron Artest went into the stands to attack a fan or retaliate against a fan who had thrown a glass of water at him.
- State of Michigan v Sarah B_____ - Operating While Intoxicated - 3rd Offense Felony. Verdict: Not Guilty., 2015
- State of Michigan v Ryan Richmond a/k/a as the Clinical Releif Medical Marijuana Dispensary Case: Dismissal of all charges. In this case, prosecuting attorneys and law enforcement targeted the very first and most visible medical marijuana dispensary in Michigan. All employees and owners were charged with multiple felonies. Neil Rockind, along with several other lawyers, led the defense. In January of 2012, a trial court judge dismissed all charges against all defendants. , 2012
- State of Michigan v Schell: charges related to a marijuana dispensary and operation. Verdict: dismissal., 2014
- In this marijuana case, Neil Rockind obtained the disqualification of a judge who previously had ruled that the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act was unconstitutional. Rockind argued that the judge had a personal bias against medical marijuana and marijuana and as a result could not sit fairly in a marijuana/medical marijuana case. The judge involved was widely reputed to be one of the most intolerant judges when it came to Medical Marijuana. The ruling, disqualifying him, was hailed by patients and lawyers as important.
- Michigan v E.B.: The daughter of a prominent car dealer was caught shoplifting from a high end mall and store. Neil Rockind obtained an agreement that the charges would be dimissed after a short four (4) month delay. , 2016
- City of Troy v Danny Dabash: in this Domestic Violence case, Neil Rockind defended a client accused of assaulting his wife. The jury deliberated a mere 5-7 minutes. Verdict: Not Guilty., 2011
- People v B.W. -- This cancer survivor was charged with Manufacture of Marijuana. The state police discovered plants growing on his porch following a flyover. The county prosecutor charged with him manufacture of marijuana. Rockind secured a dismissal of the charges., 2012
- Michigan v Warren, aka "Trooper Chad Wolf Case": Rockind obtained acquittals in the vehicular homicide/accident case in which Charles Warren was criminally charged with killing Michigan State Trooper Chad Wolf, a motorcycle police officer. The trial was covered in the national media and was televised and livestreamed on major network affliiates and on trial watch channels on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.com. Few gave the defense any chance of prevailing in the trial. The acquittals have been referred to as the highest profile acquittals in recent memory in and around the state of Michigan. , 2017
- Michigan v J.J. a/k/a M.J.: Neil Rockind took over the defense of JJ from another lawyer after 18 months of litigation in the district courts. Ultimately, Rockind held an evidentiary hearing at which the arresting officer was forced to concede that he had violated departmental policy and that he had misjudged the evidence in the case. The multiple felony and misdemeanor charges were dismissed., 2011
- State of Michigan v Amouri - Drunk Driving - 2nd Offense: Not Guilty. Jury returned a verdict in 15 minutes. , 2015
- Michigan v Charles Jerome -- Neil Rockind defended an elected Township clerk and two (2) county commissioners in a northern Michigan county when the three were among a group charged with Perjury, Conspiracy to Commit Perjury, Subornation of Perjury and Obstruction of Justice. After a three (3) day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on all counts and for all defendants.
- State of Michgigan v Rieb_____ - Charges of Possession of Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Felony Firearm. Verdict: Not Guilty. , 2015
- Michigan v Chapman: In a case in which the accused was charged with Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property, Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of all charges. , 2011
- State of Michigan v Bykowski: Charges involving marijuana operation. Verdict: reduced to a single misdemeanor and no probation. , 2015
- Michigan v T.S.: In this medical marijuana case, Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of all charges. The accused was charged with the Manufacture of Marijuana Plants numbering between 20 and 200 and the Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver. Both the number of plants and the amount of marijuana exceeded the allowable amounts under the Medical Marijuana Act. After months of litigation and a Franks v Delaware Motion, the prosecution and police department declared "no mas" and entered a Nolle Prosequi dismissing all charges. , 2012
- Michigan v D.D., Neil Rockind led a team of lawyers in a felony marijuana case that obtained a dismissal of all charges after a preliminary examination and the filing of multiple motions and hearings. In the beginning of the case, the likelihood of a dismissal or of a postive outcome looked bleak. After investigating, developing favorable testimony and working the file, Rockind convinced a judge that the charges should be dismissed. , 2016
- Bloomfield Township v Fawkes: A three (3) year saga involving a OWI/DUI case with a blood test and a client who resisted police was tried in the 48th District Court in Oakland County. The government/prosecution called 3 expert witnesses to the stand in an effort to convince the jury that a blood test above the legal limit was reliable and believable beyond a reasonable doubt. Verdict: Not Guilty., 2010
- People v J.M. -- A sixty year old man, involved in a decades long dispute with his neighbors, was accused of driving at two teenage students while waiting for the bus. Case was tried in the Wayne County Circuit Court and resulted in acquittal on all charges. Rockind exposed the witnesses as untruthful, revealing that neither boy had disclosed anything to the anyone at school and had not reported this allegedly life-threatening and that both had previously lied when testifyng at a probable cause hearing. , 2012
- Michigan v J.M. -- This was a high provile marijuana conpsiracy case in Livingston County. Three defendants were charged and the case has been litigated from almost 1.5 years. Rockind's cross examination of the lead detective revealed that alleged statements that our client gave to the police were unreliable. His cross examination is considered a textbook cross examination of an interrogator. , 2016
- People v "E.A.": Neil Rockind took on this medical marijuana case for a well-known and highly regarded medical marijuana grower. This was one of the first medical use defense cases litigated under the Medical Marijuana Act. After several hearings, the prosecutor's office agreed to drop the case, dismiss the charges., 2010
- City of Troy v Daniel Dabish: Charges - Domestic Violence. Verdict: Dismissal following prosecution's case. , 2015
- Michigan v Schiele: Rockind defendant a middle-aged professor in a controversial case in which he was accused of supplying drugs to students and young adults of college age. The case included allegations of sex, videotaping of sex, trading sex for drugs and also involved 2 witnesses cooperating against the accused. Rockind's cross examinations of the witnesses resulted in the jury acquitting Schiele of the majority of the counts he faced including the delivery counts that were based on the testimony of the 2 cooperating witnesses. , 2018
- In RE Geoffrey Fieger, Neil Rockind took part in the defense of Geoffrey Fieger, his law firm and his employees when Fieger was under investigation for campaign finance violations and irregularities.
- State v ________: Charges - OWI -3rd. Verdict: Case dismissed after preliminary examination. State conceded case. , 2015
- Michigan v "N.S.": Neil Rockind obtained a dismissal of a Marijuana and Operating with the Presence of Marijuana case on Equal Protection and Due Process grounds. Rockind argued that the passage of the Medical Marijuana Act repealed (by implication) the designation and classification of Marijuana as a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance in Michigan. The trial court agreed withe Rockind's position, ruled that marijuana was no longer a Schedule 1 Controlled Substance and dismissed the case., 2011
- State of Michigan v W. Williamson. Charge: Aggravated Assault. Verdict: Not Guilty., 2015
Videos:
- Neil Rockind and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard took part in a debate on a news segment aired on Fox 2 News in Detroit, Michigan. The segment in which Rockind and Bouchard debate the meaning of the law is posted on many websites, including the Marijuana Policy Project, www.mpp.org., Neil Rockind Debates Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Medical Marijuana, 2010
- Fox 2 News, 2011
- Neil Rockind, one of the lead counsel in the Clinical Relief Dispensary Case, argued that charges should be dismissed because the prosecution was selective and vindictive. Several months later, the Hon. Daniel O'Brien dismissed all charges against the Clinical Relief Defendants on the grounds., Clinical Relief Arguments, 2011
- Neil Rockind, representing marijuana patients, took part in a forum to discuss medical marijuana. The discussion was put on by the League of Women Voters., Medical Marijuana Forum, League Of Women Voters, 2011
- Practical Law Show, 2011
- Neil Rockind took part in another high-profile dispensary prosecution, the prosecution of the Herbal Remedies Dispensary. Some of the arguments were caught on video by a local newspaper., Herbal Remedies Case, 2011
- Medical Marijuana Town Hall, 2011
- Neil Rockind appeared on the Planet Green Trees Radio Show to discuss recent events regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act., Green Trees Radio Show, 2011
- TedX Talks are some of the most watched speeches on the internet and in the media. Leaders such as Steven Jobs and others have given TedX Talks. They are meant to provoke thinking and inspire. Neil Rockind was invited to give a Tedx Talk in 2015 at Oakland University. It was about jury selectio and jury duty called, Joy of the Jury. , Joy of the Jury, TedX Talk - Oakland University, 2015
Representative Clients:
- Clinical Relief - Ferndale Medical Marijuana Dispensary Case, 2010
- Herbal Remedies-Waterford Dispensary Case, 2011
- Marijuana Policy Project, www.mpp.org., 2011
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- American Chemical Society, Hands on Gas Chromatography Seminar (40 Hours) at Axion Laboratories in Chicago, Illinois. Rockind worked studied the science behind Gas Chromatography and performed tests for blood alcohol and participated in the wet lab in the preparation of samples, etc. Rockind received a certificate demonstrating his completion of the program., 2014
- Member of the National College for Drunk Driving Defense (NCDD)., 2012
- Driving Under the Influence Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA) - Neil Rockind was invited and joined the DUIDLA as a member in 2015. , 2015
- Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) - Drug Evaluation and Classification Training Program - completed 3 day training by Lance Platt, Platt and Associates in Detroit, MI April 12, 2012 to April 14, 2012 - learned the protocols of drug evaluaion by police officers that are specifically trained as DRE's (Drug Recognition Experts) to determine if arrested drivers are impaired by drugs., 2012, 2012
- Standardized Field Sobriety Test Certification - Following a seminar taught by two (2) experts in the field, Neil Rockind completed and was awared a certificate for Standardized Field Sobriety Certification certifiing him to administer and evaluate the tests. , 2014
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Neil Rockind is a member of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Regional Advisory Board.
- Constitution Day Volunteer: Neil Rockind volunteered his time and service to the Hon. Michael Warren's Constitution Day program put on by the Oakland County Bar Association and the Hon. Michael Warren, a Circuit Court Judge The program teaches high school students about both the United States and Michigan Constitution. Lawyers re-enacted the Brown v Board of Education trial for the students. Rockind volunteered his time for this program., 2010
- Sensible Michigan Political Action Committee -- Neil Rockind was selected to the Board of Directors of Sensible Michigan PAC, an political actions committee advancing the interests of medical marijuana patients and caregivers., 2011
- Neil Rockind, represented the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM), before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee during hearings on proposed modifications to the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. Neil Rockind testified before the House Judiciary Committee. His testimony is considered to have motivated several legislators to attempt to improve the language of 333.26428, the Affirmative Defense Section, to create more opportunities for affirmative defenses before juries., 2012
- Pro Bono -- Michigan v Backon: Neil Rockind is representing an attorney who is accused of Manufacturing Marijuana and Delivery of a Controlled Substance to an inmate in the county jail. Upset at the matter in which the media and her colleagues were treating the attorney/client, Rockind accepted the case pro bono., 2010
- Marijuana Patients Organization (MPO) - Neil Rockind was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Marijuana Patients Organization (MPO), a patients rights and advocacy group., 2011
- Neil Rockind (pro bono) represents a two (2) medical marijuana patients and caregivers in a declaratory action against Bloomfield Township, Michigan -- a local community that passed an ordinance severely limiting the medical marijuana patients rights to the medical use of marijuana., 2011
- Neil Rockind was elected to the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force (FIDF) - Michigan Chapter. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for that charitable organization.
- Cannabis Patients United (C.P.U.), a lobbying and educational organization, invited Neil Rockind, a known advocate for Michigan Medical Marijuana patients rights, to join its organization. Membership of the Cannabis Patients United is by membership only and must be unanimously approved. Neil Rockind was approved., 2011
- Pro Bono -- Neil Rockind accepted the defense of a woman, pro bono, who was charged with narcotics possession but who, Rockind discovered, was the victim of rape and was using drugs to avoid her pain. Rockind offered to take the case pro bono., 2011
Honors/Awards:
- For an updated list of awards and honors, contact the firm as there are too many to mention here., There are too many awards to mention, There are many different forms of awards and honors.
- Neil Rockind was named a Top Criminal Defense in all three (3) categories of criminal defense by DBusiness Magazine, a Michigan business magazine that compiles a list of top lawyers annually. , Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine, 2013
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers - National Trial Lawyers Association. The National Trial Lawyers Association invited Neil Rockind to join its organization, an organization of trial lawyers who peer review other trial lawyers for consideration and/or inclusion in the Top 100. Membership is by invitation only., 2011
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
- In 2013, Neil Rockind was again recognized as a Top Criminal Defense Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. The award and recognition is based on peer-review surveys and includes only a small percentage of lawyers in the metropolitan Detroit area., Top Lawyer, DBusiness- Criminal Defense, 2013
- Awarded the honor of being a DBusiness Magazine Top Criminal defense lawyer for 2014. , Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine, 2014
- Neil Rockind was given a superb rating by Avvo.com and given awards for the firm's and his relationship with clients. , Superb Rating, AVVO, 2014
- Client Apprecation Award - In 2015, Avvo.com recognized Neil Rockind and Rockind Law for our outstanding client relationships and awarded us their client appreciation award. , Client Appreciation Award, AVVO, 2015
- Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers - In 2015, the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys named Neil Rockind among the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in the State of Michigan. This is the 2nd year in a row that Neil Rockind has been named to this list. In fact, the Academy named Neil Rockind to its Board of Advisors in 2015. , Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2015
- Superb - In 2015, AVVO rated Neil Rockind a perfect "10" and gave him a superb rating. , Superb, AVVO, 2015
- Recognized as one of Detroit's Movers and Shakers, 2009 - 944 Magazine (Detroit) First Edition. In October, 2009, "944", a magazine in major cities such as New York, Miami, San Diego and Los Angeles, published its first edition of the magazine in Detroit. The first edition of 944 Detroit included a pictorial spread and article of people that the magazine considered to be "Detroit's Movers and Shakers." Neil Rockind was selected and featured in the article. Rockind considered it an honor to represent the legal field in the first edition of this magazine's entry into the Detroit market.
- Best of Detroit -- Hour Detroit Magazine. Selects/Names Attorney Neil Rockind, Best in Detroit: In a readers poll in Hour Detroit Magazine, Attorney Neil Rockind was featured with a pictorial and selected as Best in Detroit., 2011
- The State Appellate Defender's Office (SADO) did a profile on Neil Rockind in the February/March, 2012. http://www.sado.org/Articles/Article/87, Spotlight on Neil Rockind, SADO, State Appellate Defender's Office, 2012
- Neil Rockind was selected as a leading lawyer in the field of DUI/OWI Defense by LeadingLawyers.com, a peer review, blue-ribbon lawyer rating group. Only a small percentage of lawyers are chosen for this honor and Neil Rockind is proud to join the stellar group of lawyers who are already recognized in their various fields by Leading Lawyers., Leading Lawyers, LeadingLawyer.com, 2014
- Neil Rockind was selected as a Leading Lawyer by LeadingLawyers.com for 2014 in the area of DUI Defense. , Leading Lawyer, LeadingLawyer.com, 2014
- Leading Lawyer - In 2015, Leading Lawyers, a lawyer rating service based on the ratings of peers and other lawyers, named Neil Rockind a Leading Lawyer in OWI/DUI (Drunk Driving Defense) and Criminal Defense. Reportedly, the number of lawyers selected for Leading Lawyer recognition total no more than 1% of all practicing lawyers. , Leading Lawyer, LeadingLawyers.com, 2015
- 10 Best - In 2015, the American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys named Neil Rockind among the 10 Best criminal lawyers in the state of Michigan. This is 2nd year in a row that the American Institute has named Neil Rockind among the 10 Best Criminal Defense attorneys in Michigan. , 10 Best, American Institute of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2015
- Leader in the Law - In 2015, the Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Michigan's most trusted state wide legal newspaper and periodical, named Neil Rockind one of its Leaders in the Law for 2015. The honor is among the highest and rarest for a lawyer to receive. Other recipients included, the Hon. Steven Rhodes, the bankruptcy judge that handled Detroit's Bankruptcy Case, the Hon. Michael Talbott, who reformed the 36th District Court, Ven Johnson, noted plaintiff's lawyer and Norman Lippitt, former judge and noted trial lawyer. , Leader in the Law, Michigan Lawyer's Weekly, 2015
- Top Lawyer (Criminal Defense) DBusiness Top Lawyers 2011. The selection process included a peer review survey that polled more than 15,000 private attorneys in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. Lawyers were asked to nominate up to three attorneys in any of the forty-nine specialized practice areas. Special weight was given to those lawyers chosen by attorneys working at firms other than their own as well as prior honorees. Neil Rockind is proud to have been selected as a DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer in the area of Criminal Defense., 2010
- Top Lawyer (Criminal Defense, White Collar Criminal Defense, OWI/DWI Defense) DBusiness Magazine, 2012. Neil Rockind again joins a select group of lawyers in Michigan as being a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. The honors are peer-reviewed and peer-approved. In 2011, a mere 700 out of 15,000 eligible lawyers were selected.
- DBusiness Magazine named Neil Rockind of Neil Rockind, P.C., one its Top White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers for 2014. DBusiness Magazine compiles a peer-reveiwed and compiled list of lawyers in certain business related categories. Only 1% of all lawyes in the area are selected according to DBusiness Magazine. , Top Lawyer - White Collar Crime, DBusiness Magazine, 2014
- In 2014, LegalsFinest.com, a lawyer recommendation and rating service selected Neil Rockind as the American criminal defense lawyer it would recommend to individuals searching for a criminal defense lawyer. LegalsFinest.com includes lawyers from all over the world and includes only one (1) lawyer in each field in each country. Neil Rockind is proud to represent American criminal defense lawyers in this rare group., Recommended Criminal Defense Lawyer, LegalsFinest.com, 2014
- The National Trial Laweyrs Association named Neil Rockind among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Michigan for 2014., Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers Assocation, 2014
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer - In 2015, the National Trial Lawyes Association has again recognized Neil Rockind as a member of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Michigan recognition. The lawyers listed in this publication and included in this list are among the most recgonized and best in the country and Neil Rockind is proud to be included again in this group. , Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
- Top One Percent - In 2015, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, an organization with members such as Roy Black, Thomas Cranmer and other prominent lawyers, named Neil Rockind among the Top One Percent of lawyers practicing in the United States. Having been included in a group featuring some of the best and most recognized lawyers in the United States reveals Neil Rockind's standing among his peers. , Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015
- Top 100 - In 2015, the National Advocacy for DUI Defense named Neil Rockind one of the Top 100 OWI attorneys. , Top 100 OWI Laweyrs, National Advocacy for DUI Defense, 2015
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of General Studies, Disciplines – Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor., 1990
White Papers:
- In 2013, Neil Rockind started writing a series called Killer Cross Examination for www.KillerCrossExamination.com. It features Rockind discussing cross examination techniques that have proven successful for him and form his style of cross examination, killer cross examination. Since then, Rockind has taught and commented on his style of cross examination and has even expanded Killer Cross Examination into a popular podcast that can be found on YouTube and other all platforms. , Killer Cross Examination, Trial Lawyers And Clients, 2014
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Presenter - Featured Speaker, I Didn't Make It In Hollywood But I'm Great In Front Of A Jury -- Careers In Criminal Defense, Thomas Cooley Law School, 2010
- Top Lawyer, DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers 2010-2011, 2010
- Neil Rockind was a featured speaker at the Advanced Trial Skills Seminar, Spring Conference in Novi, Michigan on the subject of Defense Expert Witnesses: The How To Guide To Calling Defense Experts, Speaker, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, 2011
- Neil Rockind was invited by the League of Women Voters to take part in a panel discussion regarding the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act. The discussion and presentation will take place in May, 2011., Speaker, League of Women Voters, Medical Marijuana Panel Discussion, 2011
- Neil Rockind was the Featured Speaker/Presenter. Defending Medical Marijuana Cases, Oakland County Bar Association (OCBA) Lecture Series, September, 2011., Featured Speaker/Presenter, 2011
- Neil Rockind was a speaker, presenter and panel member for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. The lecture was entitled, Defending Medical Marijuana Cases, Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), October, 2011., 2011
- The Wayne State University Law School Law Review has invited Neil Rockind to speak and take part in a panel discussion regarding medical marijuana decriminalization. The event, the Wayne State University Law School Law Review Symposium on Medical Marijuana, will take place on January 27, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. Neil Rockind joins a list of distinguished panel members and presenters including, former Attorney General Mike Cox, Karen O'Keefe and Dan Riffle of the Marijuana Policy Project and Constitutional Law Scholar Robert Sedler., Speaker, Presenter and Panel Member, Wayne State University Law School Law Review Symposium on Medical Marijuana, 2012
- On March 23, 2012, Neil Rockind will be speaking at the Symposium on the Opiate Epidemic and Medical Marijuana. Rockind was asked to speak to discuss the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act, his experiences in defending medical marijuana cases and the impact of the act on patients, caregivers, therapists and law enforcement., Speaker, Symposium on the Opiate Epidemic and Medical Marijuana, 2012
- February 2012, Neil Rockind testified before the Michigan House Judiciary Committee at hearings on Medical Marijuana on behalf of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM). Rockind argued against a proposed change to the MMMA that would allow police officers to have access to the Confidential Patient Registry based on mere Reasonable Suspicion. Rockind argued that a warrant and probable cause are essential. Additionally, Rockind proposed an amendment that would mandate that patients be permitted to present a medical marijuana defense to a jury upon a prima facie showing of a bona fide relationship with a physician. , 2012
- Neil Rockind spoke to a group of therapists, treaters, medical professionals, social workers and experts in Royal Oak in March, 2012. His presentation was considered by many the most lively and engaging discussion of the seminar. The group, by and large, is opposed to medical marijuana. By the end of the discussion, a listener turned to Neil Rockind and said, "you convinced 'em.", Speaker, The Impact of the Medical Marihuana Act on Therpists, Treaters and Law Enforcement, Addictionology, Psychology, Social Work, Therapists, 2012
- Medical Marijuana Lecture. (link) http://www.empowerment-pro.net/contactus_files/Biosketch%20Neil%20Rockind.pdf, Speaker, Psychologists And Law Endorsement, Therapists, 2012
- Neil Rockind led a group of lawyers and presenters who were on a panel speaking about issues involved in representing high school and college age students. ICLE presented the panel discussion. The reviews from the attendees were reportedly amongst the highest of any panel discussion., Moderator - Speaker, Representing HIgh School and College Aged Students In Criminal Cases
- A profile article on www.laws.com profiled criminal defense attorney, Neil Rockind. The title for the article, Defending The Little Guy Is In My DNA, discusses Neil Rockind's career, highlights some of his cases and his philosophy on the system. http://criminal.laws.com/criminal-news/defending-the-little-guy-is-part-of-my-dna-says-prominent-michigan-attorney-neil-rockind-36750.html, Defending The Little Guy Is In My DNA, www.laws.com, 2013
- The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan assembled an All-Star group of presenters for the summer conference in Gaylord, Michigan -- Mike Nichols, Stuart Friedman, Robyn Frankel, Steve Fishman and Neil Rockind. Rockind presented on the trial advocacy side: The Devil Is In The Details -- How To Preserve The Record For Appeal And Win The Trial. , Presenter, The Devil Is In The Details: How To Make A Record And Still Win At Trial, Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense Attorneys Of Michigan - Summer Conference, 2013
- Reprinted with permission in the state's largest bulletin and monthly criminal defense newsletter, a blog that Rockind write about how giving prosecutors and police office officers swipe cards and keys to enter into the private areas of courtrooms violates the separation of powers clause and gives prosecutors and the courts the appearance that they operate towards the same goal., Author, Swipe Cards And They Reveal All That Is Wrong With The Criminal Justice System, SADO.org, State Appellate Defender's Office, 2014
- Neil Rockind was profiled in the Detroit Legal News in an article called, "Tenacious." , Tenacious, Detroit Legal News, 2015
- In 2015, Neil Rockind was invited to speak to the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan at their largest conference, the Fall conference in Traverse City, Michigan on the subject of Trial Themes and Theories. Rockind followed noted criminal defense attorey, Gerry Goldstein of San Antonio, Tx a former NACDL president. Rockind's presentation was met with positive and rave reviews with lawyers writing Rockind thanking him. One lawyer in attendance told Rockind that "it changed how I practice law." Noted trial lawyer Steve Fishman even returned to the conference to specifcially watch Rockind's presentation. , Featured Presenter, Trial Themes and Theories, Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM), 2015
- In 2015, Neil Rockind was a featured speaker at the State Bar conference and for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) on the subject of representing high school and college aged clients. Due to the response to the presentation, Rockind was invited back to give a similar presentation for ICLE in the spring. , Featured Speaker, The Top 10 Things To Consider In Defending High School and College Age Clients, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2015
- In 2015, Neil Rockind gave a presentation as a member of a panel to the Oakland County Bar Association on the intersection between Medical Marijuana and Employment Law. , Panelist, Medial Marijuana and Employment Litigation, Oakland County Bar Association, 2015
- TedX Talks are some of the most watched speeches on the internet and in the media. Leaders such as Steven Jobs and others have given TedX Talks. They are meant to provoke thinking and inspire. Neil Rockind was invited to give a Tedx Talk in 2015 at Oakland University. It was about jury selectio and jury duty called, Joy of the Jury. , Joy of the Jury, TedX Talk - Oakland University, 2015, Featured Tedx Speaker, Tedx Talk - Oakland University, 2015
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- There are simply too many to mention. Contact the firm for an updated list of outstanding achievements.
- The Michigan Lawyers Weekly named Neil Rockind one of the Leaders in the Law in 2015. Among the fellow recipients that year was the Hon. Steven Rhodes, the judge who presided over the City of Detroit Bankruptcy. , 2015
- Best in Detroit Honors -- Hour Magazine Names/Selects Attorney Best in Detroit., 2011
Industry Groups:
- All Varieties Of Criminal Defense Cases
- Domestic Violence
- Drugs And Narcotics Offenses
- Drunk Driving And DUI
- Federal Offenses
- Including Assault Crimes
- Medical Marijuana
- Medicare And Healthcare Fraud
- Violent Crimes And White Collar Crimes
Office location for Neil S. Rockind
36400 Woodward Ave
Suite 210
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
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