NACDL - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Life Member Directory
Life members are attorneys who have made an extraordinary commitment to support the work of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. By supporting NACDL at the highest dues level, they are accorded a lifetime membership as long as they continue to meet the standards for NACDL membership. In addition, they are listed in this special expanded life member directory, including bio and photograph, and receive a special award in recognition of their support for NACDL’s work.
Past President, GA Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersPast President, Stonewall BarPast President, Gwinnett Criminal Defense BarFounding Member, GA Innocence ProjectFounding Member, GA Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers Trial Skills ProgramFaculty, Natl. Criminal Defense College Faculty, GA Assn. of Women LawyersMember, Defense of Drinking Drivers Network, "GA Super Lawyer," (2004-2021)Graduate, Natl. Criminal Defense College Graduate, Natl. College for DUI Defense; Member DUIDLA.
Former NACDL Parliamentarian (1988-89)& NACDL Board of Directors (1984-1990;Elected Counsel Member, ABA Criminal Justice Section (2005-2008);Secretary, Illinois State Bar Assn.;Illinois Delegate to Rededication of MAGNA CARTA, Runnymede, England 2015; International Bar Association: Business Crime. Hague Delegate on Convention on Child Abduction.  Recipient, National Public Service Award, ATLA; Founder: National College for DUI Defense,1994 & Illinois Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Elected: Supper Lawyer 2000 to Present, Top 100 Attorneys,.and AV Rated.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Arizona, BA & MA, 1970
Graduate: National College of Criminal Defense, , 1977
Law School: DePaul College of Law, JD., 1976
Bar Information
6th, 7th, 8th Cir., US District. Courts., US Supreme Court.
Life Member, National Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersMember, Ohio Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers; American Bar Assn.; Federal Bar Assn.; Honorary Fellow, American Board of Criminal LawyersAuthor, "The I.R.S.'s Computer Generated Assessments and Notices - Are They Valid?", 16 Capital University Law Review 87 (1986)
Education
Undergraduate: Ohio State University, , 1981
Law School: Capital University School of Law, , 1987
Known as the "Iron Lawyer" both for his successes and accomplishments in complex, protracted trials and appeals, as well as for his achievements as an Ironman athlete (140.6 miles of swim, bike, and run), Benedict P. Kuehne has made his formidable career in trial and appellate courtrooms throughout the State of Florida and across the nation. While he is best known for his significant representations as a white collar criminal defense and civil trial lawyer, he is also one of the premier election law specialists in Florida, having represented Vice President Al Gore and the Gore/Lieberman Recount Committee as trial and appellate cocounsel in the 2000 election recount trial and the appeals to the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. In 2012, leading a legal team, Ben obtained the fifth highest verdict in the United States, $155 million, for his successful representation of an internationally accomplished educator who sued as a whistle blower for her wrongful termination. Ben is often referred to as a "go to" lawyer for public officials and professionals involved in investigations and inquiries, disciplinary and ethics proceedings, and criminal litigation.
In a nationally watched and precedent-setting case, Ben prevailed against the U.S. Department of Justice in a test case in which he was charged, as a lawyer, with money laundering for reviewing and approving the propriety of legal fee payments to another prominent criminal defense lawyer for representation of a high-profile client prosecuted for drug trafficking. In an overwhelmingly favorable decision of first impression, the Eleventh Circuit declared that legal fees paid for criminal defense representation were exempt from money laundering enforcement. The Department of Justice dropped all charges, resulting in Ben's immediate vindication the day before Thanksgiving 2009. Ben’s case stands as one of the most important precedents confirming the fundamental role of the Sixth Amendment right to effective representation.
Mr. Kuniansky has 38 years of experience and has tried well over 100 criminal jury trials.1978-1980-ADA in GA; 1980-1987-AUSA in GA and SAUSA in FL for Presidential Drug Task Force;1987-1992-Premier Houston Law Firm;1992-present-Own law firm.Specializes in White Collar Fraud.Board Certified in Criminal Law.Texas Super Lawyer-2004.Frequent Lecturer.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Georgia , Bus. Adm. - Finance , 1975
Law School: Emory University School of Law , JD , 1978
Bar Information
S.D. TX, N.D. TX, W.D. TX, E.D. TX, US Sup. Crt., 5th Cir. CA, 11 Cir. CA, U.S. Tax
Robert Kurtz is a criminal defense attorney and DUI lawyer with more than 20 years of experience representing clients accused of crimes in Federal and State courts in Tennessee. Robert Kurtz has forged a reputation as an intelligent and aggressive litigator based on careful case planning and strategy, thorough investigation and sound advice. Successful outcomes in criminal cases depend on proactive and aggressive investigation and preparation.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Southwestern Louisiana, Bachelor of Arts, 1995
Fluent Spanish speaker; Certified criminal specialist; Homicides and drugs;A-V Rated, SuperLawyer, Registry Preeminent Lawyers; In addition to private clients, serves since 2006 as Mexican Foreign Ministry’s chief capital lawyer directing Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program; Trial, postconviction, appellate practice, and teaching law internationally and throughout U.S.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Colorado, , 1983
Graduate: Tulane University Graduate School, , 1985
Law School: Northwestern University School of Law, JD , 1988
President, Board of Directors, Comprehensive Alcoholism Rehabilitation Programs, Inc.Life Member, NACDLLife Member, FACDLMember, Palm Beach County Bar AssociationMember, Palm Beach Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember, American Bar AssociationMember, National Trial Lawyers Top 100Member, Academy of Florida Trial LawyersMember, National College for DUI DefenseMember, Forum Club of the Palm BeachesMember, Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
Education
Undergraduate: Vero Beach High School, HS Diploma, 1981
Law School: St. Thomas University School of Law, JD, 1993
Member, Pennsylvania Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersLecturer, Winning the Unwinnable Case-DUIAuthor, "Pennsylvania Drunk Driving Defense"Listed, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers (2007)Trained by N.H.T.S.A. in Field Sobriety TestingBoard Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, Natl. Board of Trial Advocacy
Past President, NACDL (1997-98)President, Foundation for Criminal Justice (2010 to present)Recipient, Robert C. Heeney Award, NACDL (1994)Recipient, Outstanding Practitioner Award, Criminal Justice Section, New York State Bar Assn.(1998)Recipient, Life Time Achievement Award of New York State Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2002)Founder, New York State Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member, Illinois Capital Litigation Bar Screening Commitee (appointed by Illinois Supreme Ct.)Member, Criminal Justice Section, Council of the Illinois State Bar Assn.
Education
Undergraduate: Illinois State University, B.S., 1979
Law School: Western Michigan University, J.D., 1984
Past President, Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.; Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.Faculty member, National Criminal Defense Coll. and William Daniel Trial Adv. ProgramFormer Chief Panel Attorney, Defender Services Advisory GroupListed, Best Lawyers in AmericaListed, Super Lawyers of AlabamaAdj. Faculty, Cumberland & Birmingham Schs. of Law
Education
Undergraduate: University of West Florida, BA History, 1984
Named as a Super Lawyer and Top Lawyer by Minnesota Law and Politics Magazine every year since 1999.Criminal Law Specialist, Certified by the Minnesota State Bar Association.Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.Member of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.Member of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.Member of the Hennepin County Bar Association.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin at Madison, Political Science, 1981
Law School: William Mitchell College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1988
California Law Review, Assoc. Editor (1973)Fed. Public Defender, Hawaii (1982-1990)Assistant Federal Defender, Portland, OR (1991-2000)Author, "171 Easy Mitigating Factors"Adjunct Professor of law, University of Hawaii Law School 1984-1988; Lewis and Clark Law School, 2008-2010Oregon Super Lawyer 2006-2012"Best Lawyers in America" 2014
Part-Time Instructor, Criminal Law, Kalamazoo Coll.Standing Comm. Member, Character and Fitness, State Bar of Mich.Former Asst. Prosecutor, Barry Co., Mich.Listed, Best Lawyers in America (2003-Present)Listed, Michigan Super Lawyers (2007-present)Listed, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Michigan, American Trial Lawyers Assn.AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell (1998-Present)
Annual Honoree, New York Criminal Bar Assn. (1997)Former Board Member, NYCBAPresident, North Law PublishersFrequent LecturerAuthor, "Second Circuit Criminal Law Update" and numerous articles
Secretary, NACDL (1994-95)Past President, New York State Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersMember, Board of Regents, Natl. Criminal Defense Coll.Member, Advisory Board, BNA Criminal Practice ManualMember, Board of Directors, Clarence Darrow Death Penalty College
