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.
Undergraduate: College of William & Mary, B.A., 2005
Law School: George Washington University, J.D., 2008
Bar Information
Virginia, District of Columbia, US District Court for Eastern and Western District of Virginia, US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, Supreme Court of the United States
Past President, NACDLABA Criminal Justice Section past Chair, House of Delegates Representative for NACDL,  President: International Society for the Reform of Criminal Law, Past-President, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.Founder and Past-President, San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn. CJA Panel Rep Western District of Texas and CJA Selection Committee member. Distinguished Law Alum, St Mary's University School of Law, AV Rated by Martindale-HubbellSuper Lawyer, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Trial Lawyers of America, Best Lawyers in America, Woodward White, San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame, and ISRCL Medal. Board Certified in Criminal LawBoard Certified in Criminal Appeals.
Memberships:•DUI Defense Lawyers Association - Charter Member & Board Member•National College for DUI Defense - Sustaining Member & 2013-14 Colorado State Delegate•Colorado Criminal Defense Bar – Lifetime Member•Colorado Bar Association•Denver Bar Association•National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Lifetime Member•Better Business Bureau•Tom Martino's Troubleshooter Network•Super Lawyers•Team Dave Logan•Trial Lawyers College - Ranch Clubï
Education
Undergraduate: University of Denver, Bachelor of Arts, 1994
Graduate: University of Denver, M.B.A., 2002
Law School: University of Denver College of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2000
Member, American Civil Liberties UnionMember, NAACPMember, North Carolina Advocate for JusticeHonor Roll, NC Central Univ.Listed, National Dean's List, NC Central Univ.Listed, Who's Who Among Students, NC Central Univ.
Education
Undergraduate: North Carolina Central University, , 1985
Law School: University of North Carolina Sch. of Law, , 1988
Former Member, Board of Governors, CA Attorneys for Criminal JusticeLawyer Delegate, 9th Cir. Judicial ConferenceListed, Best Lawyers in America (1987-2013),A-V Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell, Listed, Super Lawyers (2005-2013),Author, "Grand Jury Representation," ABA Litigation Magazine
C. Melissa Owen is a founding partner of Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, a mid-sized North Carolina law firm with offices in Charlotte, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. Missy Owen’s personal practice areas include state and federal criminal defense, with a focus on white collar matters, financial crime, sex offense prosecutions, and Title IX representation. Missy has served NACDL in numerous capacities, including as a program co-chair in the CLE Institute and a member of the Women in Criminal Defense Committee, the White Collar Committee, the Title IX Committee, and the Bylaws Committee. She is also active on numerous bar associations and community groups, including service on the Board of Governors of North Carolina Attorneys for Justice and the Ethics Committee at the North Carolina State Bar, which publishes Advisory Ethics Opinions for North Carolina attorneys. Missy Owen earned her undergraduate degree from Miami University in Ohio and her law degree at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh.Â
Super Lawyers annually since 2007Top 40 Under 40 by National Trial Lawyers 2013Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers 2014Recipient, Who's Who in Criminal Defense, MN Law and Politics
Education
Undergraduate: University of Minnesota, B.A., 1999
Law School: William Mitchell Law School, J.D., 2002
Bar Information
Minnesota; 8th Cir.; US Dist. Court, D.C.; US Dist. Court, Central Dist. Illinois
Past-President, Missouri Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersMember, Natl. Coll. Of DUI Defense (2004-Present)Recipient, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyer in Missouri, Who's Who, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The American Trial Lawyer Assn.
Education
Graduate: Washburn University, School of Law, , 1997
Law School: Washburn University, School of Law, 1997
I started my law career in 2006 and established my Savannah-based criminal defense law firm in 2014, bringing experience and insight as a public defender for Liberty County and former assistant district attorney for Chatham County. Regardless of the severity of your criminal charges, a conviction strips away your freedom and future.
When you are facing felony criminal charges that carry severe consequences, you need an attorney who has taken on the complexities of both misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. I have been representing clients facing DUI charges since 2014 and have had many DUIs dismissed or reduced. I harness my expertise in DUI law by attending yearly seminars to stay on top of the latest in DUI defense tactics and strategy.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Georgia, BA Political Science, 2001
Law School: Southern Illinois Univ School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2005
Attorney Thomas A. Pavlinic is a nationally recognized sex crimes trial lawyer. Created and lead by Tom, Premier Defense Group is a unique law firm that specializes exclusively in defending individuals across the country who have been charged with sexual crimes, in particular said crimes involving children.
Education
Undergraduate: University of Marlyand, BS, 1969
Law School: George Washington Law School, JD, 1973
Neal Pedowitz
Contact Information
Las Vegas, NV
Biography
Forfeiture Commendation, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and ACLU
Selected to the The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Ohio Rising Stars Super Lawyers 2006, Ohio Rising Stars Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers 2020-2025. Member of the American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association; Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, DUIDLA;Â
Education
Undergraduate: Wright State University, B.A., 1996
Law School: University of Dayton School of Law, J.D., 1999
I have been a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Tampa and Chicago since 1989. MDFL, NDIL, DCDC, CDIL, SDFL, NDFL, SDIL. I have been lead counsel on forty-four Federal jury trials. I have also been lead counsel on thirty Fifth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuit Appeals briefs. I also practice in Florida and Illinois State Courts. Call me if you need help in Tampa or Chicago. 312-913-1111
Education
Undergraduate: Indiana University Bloomington, B.S., 1985
Law School: Indiana University Bloomington, J.D., 1988
Among other distinctions, Mr. Petruzzi is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Miami Chapter, and he has been on the legal committee for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws for over ten years. Mr. Petruzzi has been recognized as one of the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by the American Trial Lawyer's Association. He has a 10.0, “Superb,†rating by AVVO which is the highest rating available.
Education
Undergraduate: Hamilton College, B.A., 1990
Law School: University of Miami, J.D., 1993
Bar Information
Mr. Petruzzi is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and many federal courts.
Sonya Pfeiffer
is a partner with Rudolf Widenhouse in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she
represents clients in white collar federal criminal cases, wrongful
conviction and civil rights cases, and serious state-court criminal cases.
Pfeiffer joined the firm after working in the business litigation division
of Womble, Carlyle, Sandridge and Rice, where she was involved with both
civil and criminal cases in the firm’s Charlotte office. In particula
Education
Undergraduate: Ohio University, B.S. in Journalism
DOJ Tax Division (1990-94)US Attorney's Office, MD FL (1994-99)Adj. Prof. of Law, Barry Univ. Coll. of LawAdj. Prof. of Law, Univ. of FL Levin Coll. of Law, LLM in TaxationRecipient, Outstanding Attorney, USDOJ, Tax Division (1993)Director and Treasurer, George C. Young Inn of Court
