About Jeffrey Harris

(954) 522-7000

Jeff Harris has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education since 1987. He is a former prosecutor practicing law in federal and state courts throughout the country with major emphasis in felony trial litigation and criminal appeals. He is death certified by the Florida Supreme Court for capital homicide cases.

Since 1978, Mr. Harris has consistently received the top AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the national rating service of attorneys. His peers have presented him with the highest honor for professionalism and excellence in the field of criminal law by awarding him the prestigious Harry Gulkin Award.

Mr. Harris is a frequent lecturer. He was an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Law, where he taught the Broward Prosecutors/Public Defenders Trial Training Program and the Criminal Internship Program.

Awards and Honors

  • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Chosen as an “Exceptional” Criminal Defense Attorney by the Consumer Guidebook to Law and Leading Attorneys
  • Recognized as one of “Florida’s Top Lawyers” by The Miami Herald
  • Selected as one of the best criminal defense lawyers, Florida Super Lawyers
  • Chosen by his peers as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in Florida endorsed by the National Trial Lawyers Association
  • American Jurisprudence Award
  • Harry Gulkin Award – For Professionalism and Excellence in Criminal Law
  • Listed in Who’s Who in American Law, 1993–present
  • Listed in International Who’s Who of Professionals, 1993–present

Bar Associations

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Former president (2007)
  • Vice-president (2006)
  • Board of Directors (1992–present)
Broward County Bar Association
  • Board of Directors, 2011 – 2016
  • Bench Committee, former chair
  • Criminal Law Committee, chair
  • Courts Committee, 1998–present; chair, 1998
  • Legislative Committee
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • President,1993–1994
  • Vice-President, 1992
  • Board of Directors, 1989–present
Florida Bar Association
  • Executive Council, Criminal Law Section, 2005–present
  • Evidence Rules Committee, 2002–2005
  • Criminal Law Board Certification Committee, 1990–1992
  • Grievance Committee, 1988; vice-chair, 1989; chair, 1990
  • Chairman, 1990
  • Vice-Chairman, 1989
American Bar Association
Teaching
  • Faculty Advisor, Prosecutors/Public Defenders in trial advocacy, University of Florida College of Law, 2008, 2010 – present
  • Faculty Advisor for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy at Nova Southeastern University Broad Sheppard College of Law 2010 – present
  • Adjunct Professor, Nova Southeastern University Broad Sheppard College of Law, 1982–1983, and 1986–1995
  • Instructor, trial advocacy at University of Florida College of Law (prosecutor/public defender’s program)
  • Nova University College of Law, Intensive Trial Program, 1993, 1996
  • Instructor, Prosecutor/Public Defender Trial Training Program, 1984, 1993
Admitted to practice
  • Florida, 1975
  • Illinois, 1972
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
  • U.S District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Work history

Assistant State Attorney

  • Cook County, Illinois, 1974–1976
  • Broward County, Florida, 1976–1978 – Chief Assistant, Habitual Offender Unit, 1977-1978
Education
  • DePaul University, J.D., 1971
  • Southern Illinois University, B.A., 1967
Publications

InFlorida Defender, magazine of the FACDL:

  • Position paper on the proposal for circuit cross-designation of public defenders, winter 1998, Vol. 10, No. 4
  • “Bar’s Position on Indigency Representation for Capital Cases,” Florida Defender, Vol. 10, No. 4, Winter 1998
  • “Editor’s Notes,” Vol. 16, Nos. 1-3, Fall, Winter 2004, Spring 2005
  • “Editor’s Notes.” Vol. 17, No. 2, Summer 2005
  • “President’s Column,” Vol. 18, No.3, Fall 2006, Vol. 18, No. 4
  • “President’s Column,” Vol. 19, Nos. 1-2 Spring/Summer 2007