Michelle Medina
“My passion comes from my clients. They give me the strength and purpose to fight for their cause. To me, effective advocacy is about more than knowing the law. It is about listening, being accessible, communicating honestly, and making sure every client knows they have someone in their corner who genuinely cares about them and their future.”
Michelle Medina is a legal professional and Managing Partner with more than 16 years of experience in criminal defense, law firm leadership, and business operations. Throughout her career, she has balanced hands-on client advocacy with the executive responsibilities of helping lead and manage a busy criminal defense practice.
As Managing Partner, Michelle maintains her own active caseload and remains personally involved in matters from initial client intake through final resolution. Her experience encompasses case strategy, legal analysis and writing, negotiations, investigations, courtroom advocacy, expert coordination, and client counseling. Beyond her legal work, she oversees key aspects of the firm’s operations, including personnel, workflow, client relations, financial and billing matters, internal procedures, vendor relationships, and business development. This dual role has given her a unique perspective on the practice of law, combining legal judgment, strategic thinking, leadership, and business management.
Michelle graduated Cum Laude from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with a degree in Sociology and Communications. Her commitment to leadership, service, and the Hispanic community began early. While at Rollins, she founded the first Latin sorority on campus and served as President of the Latin American Student Association, which was recognized as Organization of the Year during her tenure.
She continued that commitment at FAMU College of Law, serving as President of the Hispanic American Law Student Association. Under her leadership, the organization received recognition within Central Florida’s Hispanic community and was named Organization of the Year. Michelle was also honored by Holland & Knight LLP with an Appreciation & Leadership Award for her involvement in the Hispanic community.
Michelle began her legal career with the Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, where she developed hands-on criminal defense experience representing and counseling clients, analyzing evidence, developing case strategies, negotiating with prosecutors, and advocating in the courtroom. That experience helped shape an approach to the practice of law that has remained with her throughout her career: prepare thoroughly, advocate fearlessly, communicate honestly, and never lose sight of the person behind the case.
More than 16 years later, that philosophy continues to guide Michelle’s work. She understands that clients often come to a criminal defense firm during one of the most difficult and uncertain periods of their lives. For her, strong advocacy means not only protecting a client’s legal interests, but also making sure clients and their families feel heard, informed, and supported throughout the process.
Born in Hawaii to parents from the Dominican Republic, Michelle is fluent in Spanish and has maintained a strong connection to the Hispanic community throughout her personal and professional life. Outside of her professional responsibilities, she enjoys sports, community involvement, and, most importantly, spending time with her family.
Memberships & Affiliations
- The Florida Bar
- American Bar Association
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International
- Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
- Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
- Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
