Meet Criminal Defense Attorney Michael A. Catalano

A Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer Since 1986
Attorney Michael A. Catalano started his legal career in 1983 as an Assistant State Attorney in the office of then State Attorney Janet Reno. After cutting his teeth on the prosecution's side of the courtroom, Mr. Catalano started a private criminal defense practice in 1986 — focusing on criminal defense on behalf of professional people and employees of the legal system, including doctors, lawyers, police officers, and judges.

For the past two decades, Mr. Catalano has built a solid reputation in the Miami-Dade legal community as a criminal defense lawyer who combines a solid understanding of intricate legal matters with an aggressive, take-no-prisoners method of advocating for his clients.

CURRICULUM VITAE

MICHAEL A. CATALANO, ESQ.
MICHAEL A. CATALANO, P.A.
1531 N.W. 13 Court
Miami, Florida 33125
Voice 305-325-9818
Fax 305-325-8759
mclawyer@bellsouth.net

EDUCATION:

Juris Doctor Degree, May 1983
Stetson University College of Law
St. Petersburg, Florida
Electives centered around Trial Practice
Commercial Practice and Criminal and Tax Law

Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
Administration, December 1978.
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

PRACTICE:

Firm; Michael A. Catalano, P.A.
1531 N.W. 13 Court
Miami, Florida 33125
(305) 325-9818
1987 to present

Position:  Sole Partner/Shareholder
Michael A. Catalano, P.A.

Area of Practice:
Criminal Trial Practice, Appellate
Administrative Law
Practice, State and Federal Courts
Limited Civil Practice

Legal Associations and Organizations:
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
United States District Court, Southern
District of Florida, General and Trial Bar
Dade County Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, Florida and Local Chapters
Past Member of the Board of Directors, FACDL local chapter
And past Treasurer FACDL, Miami
The Florida Bar
Past Member, Board of Directors DUI
Countermeasure Program of Dade County, Inc.
Student Council for Traffic
Safety Program, Chairman Volunteer Attorney Panel
Past Hearing Officer, Miami-Dade County School Board
Past Chairman, Florida Bar Fee Arbitration Committee 1997-1999
Member Florida Bar Traffic Rules Committee 1986-2000
Author or many traffic rules
Member Florida Criminal Rules Committee since 2000
Frequent Speaker at Florida CLE Programs on criminal , DUI and Traffic related subjects

Awards and Recognition:
Voted one of the top lawyers in the practice of criminal law by Miami-Metro Magazine, January 2000 and 2001
Certificate of Appreciation by the Metro Dade Police for helping design the Miami DUI system in 1984

Former Area of Practice and Work Experience:
Goodhart & Rosner, P.A. Miami, Florida
Position: Attorney, August 1985 - October 1986
Criminal defense and civil experience

Dade County State Attorney's Office,
Janet Reno, State Attorney, Miami, Florida
Position: Assistant State Attorney, 1983-1985
Special Assignment as DUI Federal Task
Force Prosecutor for 6 months.  Also assigned
to Felony and Juvenile prosecution units.

Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
Position: Teaching Assistant during Law School, 1982-1983
Assigned to Research and Writing Classes

NCR Corporation, Jacksonville, Florida
Position: Account Manager, Retail Systems Division 1979-1983
Duties included analysis of business accounting problems, sales of
NCR computers and cash registers, training of personnel and corporate recruiting.

LAW SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Lexis and Westlaw training
Freshman Moot Court Outstanding Participant Award
Prosecution Clinic at the Office of James T.
Russell, State Attorney for the Sixth Judicial
Circuit, St. Petersburg, Florida Student Co-coordinator for the ABA Law Week Outreach Program
American Trial Lawyers Association Mock
Trial National Team Representative
Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE IN GENERAL

My interests include sailing, flying (Commercial-Multi Engine –Instrument Pilot, Land and Sea Pilot), photography, computer programming and Bike Riding.  I am a very active member of the Coral Reef Yacht Club and many other sailboat racing organizations.  I was also a certified Judge of the United States Yacht Racing Union and spent a great deal of time organizing and judging at sailing events. I was an  active member of the United State Coast Guard Auxiliary and Aircraft Commander for the Coast Guard as a volunteer. I was also the AAC or chief pilot for the local Auxiliary air group.   I presently own a share of a Piper Geronimo Twin Engine Aircraft kept at Opa Locka Airport, in Miami.  I also own Melges 24’ racing sailboat and a 21’ Stapleton Powerboat.

My legal interests include special participation in the Federal DUI Task Force. I spent many months training and organizing
the DUI Task Force and helping with the implementation of the DUI indium crimper breath collection system in Dade County, Florida.

Since leaving the State Attorney's Office I have been very active in defending people charged with Federal and State crimes and  Drunk Driving and handling serious felony related cases.

My practice has also concentrated on State and Federal Felonies, Misdemeanors and Administrative Hearings.  I frequently represent police officers on charges of official misconduct. I have also handled over 100 appeals and writs.

I have been featured in many articles and stories in the Miami Herald, magazines on CBS=s 48 hours, mostly about DUI and police misconduct issues and cases.

Contact our law office for a complimentary and confidential consultation.