Name: Kenneth Padowitz
Item: Kenneth Padowitz
Author: Kenneth Padowitz

Bio

Kenneth Padowitz is a former Homicide Prosecutor with the Broward County State Attorney's Office for 16 years and a practicing Trial Lawyer for nearly 40 years. Throughout his career, Ken has tried over 400 jury trials and 35-First Degree Murder Trials. He has a Resume on paper and experience unmatched by most other Criminal Defense Attorney's in the Southeastern United States. Kenneth Padowitz has been an Adjunct Law Professor at Nova Southeastern Law School for 17 years teaching courses in Trial Advocacy and Scientific Evidence. Broward criminal lawyer, Ken Padowitz, has been featured in the media and on national T.V. hundreds of times as a legal commentator; he has also lectured extensively on various legal topics throughout Florida and the United States.

Ken Padowitz, is honored to have earned an AV^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^®}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Preeminent Rating issued by Martindale-Hubbell, for ten years in a row, the leading independent attorney rating entity. An AV^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^{^®}}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Rating is the highest rating possible and signifies that the lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. Specifically defined: an A rating indicates “Very High To Preeminent Legal Ability”, and a V rating indicates “Very High General Ethical Standards”. The National Trial Lawyers awarded Kenneth Padowitz Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Membership is extended solely to the select few of the most qualified, premier attorneys from each state, who meet stringent qualifications and who demonstrate superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.

Best Lawyers has awarded Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, recognition and inclusion in Best Lawyers. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession. For more than three decades, Best Lawyers lists have earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public, as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere. Best Lawyers lists of outstanding lawyers are compiled by conducting exhaustive peer review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.

Super Lawyers has awarded Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, recognition and inclusion in Super Lawyers. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Only 5% of Attorney’s in the State are selected to Super Lawyers. An Avvo “superb” rating of 10.0 was awarded to Kenneth Padowitz for his legal expertise. He was also awarded a Client’s Choice Award by AVVO.Legal Leaders – South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers – A Definitive Guide to Legal Representation in South Florida – recognized Broward Criminal Defense lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, as a Top Rated Lawyer. Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” status was awarded to Kenneth Padowitz as recognized by his peers.Who’s Who in America included Kenneth Padowitz in the special 70th Platinum Anniversary Edition of Who’s Who in America for 2016, distinguishing him as one of the leading achievers from around the country. Additionally, Ken was awarded the Marquis Who’s Who – Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

As an Assistant State Attorney in the Homicide Unit, Kenneth Padowitz prosecuted many high-profile trials, which include the case against Lionel Tate, a 12 year old indicted by a grand jury as an adult in the murder of a 6-year-old girl, Tiffany Eunich. The defendant blamed professional wrestling for the child’s death. The jury convicted him of 1st degree murder. Another one of those high profile trials include the case against Kenneth Pierce, convicted of the hit and run death of little Nicole Rae Walker. Pierce drove off the road on a Dania street and drove into a group of five children. A two-month manhunt led to the widely publicized trial and conviction of the defendant. A computer animation reenactment of the crime was introduced into evidence at trial, by Padowitz, for the first time in a Florida courtroom. The appellate court upheld this visual evidence in a written opinion – the first case law in the United States to allow the use of animation in a criminal trial.

Broward criminal attorney, Kenneth Padowitz, was an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University Law Center for 17 years and has taught and lectured extensively in the areas of trial advocacy, scientific evidence and trial exhibits. He was also a Faculty Instructor for:The National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, University of Florida Law School Prosecutor/Public Defender course, Institute of Police Technology and Management, and The National Student Leadership Conference at American University in Washington D.C. and Stanford University in California. Ken was the Director of the Pre-Law program at American Heritage High School where he taught students five days a week before going to court. Padowitz previously sat as Chairman of a Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, which handles matters of attorney misconduct and Discipline.

Admitted: 1986, Florida

Professional Webpage: https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/kenneth-padowitz/

White Collar Crime Attorney: https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/federal-criminal-defense/white-collar-crime/

Criminal Defense Law Blog: http://www.lauderdalecriminaldefenseblog.com/

Kenneth Padowitz P.A. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KenPadowitzLawFirm?ref=hl

Psychology of Law and Criminal Behavior: http://www.psychology-criminalbehavior-law.com/

Fort Lauderdale DUI Attorney: https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/criminal-defense-2/dui/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethpadowitz/

Federal Criminal Defense: https://www.lauderdalecriminaldefense.com/federal-criminal-defense/

BBB A+ Accredited Business: https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/fort-lauderdale/profile/criminal-lawyer/kenneth-d-padowitz-pa-0633-92041104

Honors/Awards:

Firm partner recently featured in article on BOSS: https://thebossmagazine.com/technology-transforming-legal-work-trials/

Firm partner recently featured in article on The Good Men Project: https://goodmenproject.com/business-ethics-2/20-questions-asked-and-answered-by-a-young-successful-attorney/

Firm partner recently featured in article on New York Weekly: https://nyweekly.com/business/self-defense-in-new-york-vs-florida/

Firm partner recently featured in article on Law Fuel: https://www.lawfuel.com/racial-disparities-in-the-application-of-stand-your-ground-laws/

Firm partner recently featured in article on The Source: https://thesource.com/2024/08/19/legal-qa-with-a-federal-criminal-defense-attorney-on-the-young-thug-rico-case/

Firm partner recently featured in article on Cannabis.net: https://cannabis.net/blog/news/another-setback-for-recreational-marijuana-in-florida

Firm partner recently featured in article on MSN: https://www.msn.com/en-us/careers/career-advice/top-10-lawyers-to-look-out-for/ar-AA1xbmi1

Firm partner recently featured in article on The Visual Communication Guy: https://thevisualcommunicationguy.com/2024/12/06/effective-communication-strategies-in-the-legal-profession-a-trial-lawyers-perspective/

Firm partner recently featured in article on The Libertarian Republic: https://thelibertarianrepublic.com/not-so-innocent-until-proven-guilty-developments-behind-viral-video-that-showed-south-florida-wedding-ending-at-gunpoint/

Firm recently featured in article on LAW.COM

Firm recently featured in article on UploadVR

Firm recently featured in article on Florida Bulldog

Distinguished Faculty Award, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Presented FPAA Annual Conference, 2001

Mock Trial Competition Judge, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
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

Appreciation for Dedicated Service Award, Broward State Attorney's Office Homicide Trial Unit, Advocate Par Excellence, Minister of Justice, 2002

Outstanding and Dedicated Performance Award, Broward State Attorney's Office, Sex Crimes Unit Plaque, 1990

Judges Certificate of Appreciation, Nova Southeastern University, Law Center

Bar/Professional Activity:

United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, 1996
United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 1995
Florida Bar, 1986

Pro bono/Community Service:

American Cancer Society, Jail and Bail 1986-2014
Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, 2005, 2006
Weston Business Chamber of Commerce, 2005, 2006
National District Attorney's Association, 1986-1991
American Bar Association, 1986-1992
Gold Key Civic Association, 1985-1990
Daily Bread Food Bank, 1996-1997
March of Dimes, 1994-1996
American Cancer Society, 1997-1998
Broward County Public School Teacher, 1982
Young Professionals for Covenant House, 1995-1997
Hallandale Police Department, Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Program, 1998-2001
Croissant Park Elementary School, Guest Speaker, Student Council installation, 2006
Pre-Law Advisory Committee, Fort Lauderdale High School Magnet Program, 2000-2001
Coral Springs High School, Lecture, Criminal Justice System, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Seminole Middle School, Plantation, Fl., Lecture, 2003, 2004
Sawgrass Elementary School, Guest Lecturer, Career day, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Boca Raton High School, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
Sunrise Chamber of Commerce, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
S.T.O.P. (Stop Turning Out Prisoners), Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System, 1994
Wilton Manors Kiwanis Club, Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice,1994
Piper High School, Guest Lecturer, Florida Gun Laws and the Criminal Justice System, 1991
Plantation Police Department, Guest Lecturer, Roll call Training, 1986
M.A.D.D., Guest Speaker, Roundtable Discussion/Victims Rights, 1991
Anglia Polytechnic University, Great Britain, N.S.U., Ft. Laud., Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice System,1996, 1997
Broward Sexual Assault Treatment Center, Guest Lecturer, Victims Rights, 1990
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
St. Thomas Law School, Miami, Guest Lecturer, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1993
University of Florida, College of Law, Gainesville, Lecture Presentation, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1997
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, The prosecution of Lionel Tate v. State of Florida, 2001
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Trial Advocacy Class, Opening Statement, 1996
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Student Orientation, 1987, 1988, 1989
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Guest Lecturer, Scientific Evidence class, Computer Animation as Evidence, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Instructor/Coach, Mock Trial Team, 1987-1988, 1995
Nova Southeastern University School of Law, Criminal Law Class, Lecture, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
Broward County Trial Lawyers Association, Lecture Presentation, Computer Animation in the Courtroom, 1993
Criminal Justice Institute, B.C.C., Guest Lecturer, Sex Crimes, D.U.I. Manslaughter, Criminal Justice System, 1990, 1991, 1992
Institute of Police Technology and Management, Faculty Adviser, Development of a felony level course for police officers, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, 2001
Institute of Police Technology and Management, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I. Manslaughter Prosecution, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, 1991
Weston Rotary Club, Lecture Presentation, Criminal Justice System, 2006
Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Legal Panel Member, Seminar on media and Legal community, 2005
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I. Trial Advocacy School, Miami, 1991,1992, 1993,1994,1995,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, D.U.I./Vehicular Manslaughter Seminar, Tampa, 1993
Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Faculty Instructor, Evidence Seminar, Palm Beach, 1993
National Television Legal Consultant, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, COURT T.V., B.E.T., 2000-2007
Broward County Bar Association, 1987, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2007
Florida Department of Children and Families, Keynote Speaker, Child Abuse Prevention Conference, 2003
Broward Sheriffs Office, Homicide Unit, Guest Lecturer, 2015
Broward Sheriffs Office, Detective training, 2005
Board of Directors, B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, 2005, 2006
Vice President Membership, B'nai B'rith Justice Unit, 2007

Other Outstanding Achievements:

Member, Florida Bar, United States District Court, United States Court of Appeals
Former Chairman, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Florida Bar Grievance Committee
Guest Lecturer, Broward Sheriff's Office, Homicide Unit and Detective training
Guest Lecturer, Criminal Justice Institute, Broward Community College
Faculty Instructor, National Student Leadership Conference, American University, Washington D.C.
Director, American Heritage High School, Plantation, Fl, Pre-Law program
Faculty Instructor, University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management
Faculty Instructor, University Of Florida Law School, Prosecutor/Public Defender course
Faculty Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy and Fl. Prosecuting Atty. Assoc.
Found Qualified – Broward Judicial Nominating Committee for appointment as Circuit Judge, 2001
Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern Law School, 17 years
Litigated over Three Hundred Jury Trials including Thirty-Five First Degree Murder Trials

Educational Background:

NOVA UNIVERSITY, Law School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida – Juris Doctor, May, 1986
First Place Team Award, ATLA 1985 Spring Trial Competition
Distinguished Achievement Award, ATLA Trial Competitions, November 1984, May 1985, November 1985, April 1986
President, Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity – Recognition for Outstanding Leadership
Special Achievement Award – Student Bar Association, 1985
Certificate of Appreciation – Student Bar Association, 1985 and 1986
Who’s Who Among American Law Students, 1985 and 1986

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Gainesville, Fl.

Bachelor of Arts in Education, December, 1982

Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Alpha Kappa Delta, Sociology Honor Society – Distinguished Interest and Study in the Area of Sociology
Student Government Senator, College of Education

Kenneth Padowitz

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