L. Derek Byrd

Mr. 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. This is the highest level of recognition given by the Florida Bar. Board Certification is based on competency & experience within a defined area of law.

Derek Byrd was born and raised in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. Derek grew up watching his father defend high profile criminal cases in the old Sarasota County Courthouse. His father's legal skills and the excitement surrounding the legal system inspired Derek to become a criminal defense attorney. Derek graduated with honors from Sarasota High School in 1986; he was also voted "Most Likely to Succeed".

Derek graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995 graduating cum laude (top 5% of his class). While in law school, Derek Byrd concentrated his studies on criminal and trial law. He served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Law Review Journal.

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 his private criminal law practice in 1998. Derek Byrd has defended over 2,000 criminal cases and over 95% of his practice is devoted to criminal defense.

Derek Byrd served as President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Sarasota Chapter, from 1999-2001. Mr. Byrd is currently the President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers statewide chapter which has close to 2000 members. Additionally, Mr. Byrd is the President of the Sarasota County Bar. Mr. Byrd is also a member of the Judge Scheb Inn of Court. Mr. Byrd is licensed in all State Courts and the Federal Court, Middle District of Florida. Mr. Byrd has written articles for the Defender magazine and spoken at FACDL seminars. Mr. Byrd is a Life Member of FACDL, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the American Bar Association, Florida Bar-Criminal Law section, and the Sarasota County Bar Association. Finally, Mr. Byrd is an active Little League Baseball coach, coaching All-Star and Travel Ball teams.

Mr. Byrd is recognized by his peers as a "Super Lawyer" and is listed in "Best Lawyers" in America. Mr. Byrd has appeared on Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Grace, Court TV, ABC, CBS NBC, and FOX networks as a legal commentator. Recently, Tru TV televised a first degree murder trial where Mr. Byrd was lead counsel.

Since 2006 through the present, Derek Byrd has been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top lawyers in the nation.

Derek Byrd Belongs To:

The Florida Bar Association

Sarasota County Bar Association - PRESIDENT

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

National Trial Lawyers Association

Judge Frank Scheb American Inn of Court

Who's Who in America

FACDL - PRESIDENT