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.

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  • K. Bailey

    K. Ronald Bailey

    Contact Information
    Biography
    President, Ohio Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersRecipient, President's Award, Ohio Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Bowling Green State University, , 1978
    • Graduate: Cleaveland-Marshall Law School, , 1982
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Forfeiture Reform
    • White Collar Crime
  • Kenneth Bailey

    Kenneth R. Bailey

    • Bailey Legal Group
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Bar Information
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • Corporate Compliance
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • International
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Joseph Baker

    Joseph A. Baker

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Georgetown University, , 1998
    • Law School: University of Tennessee Law School, 2001
  • Jason Ballenger

    Jason Davis Ballenger

    • Law Office of Massey McClusky McClusky & Fuchs
    Contact Information
    Biography
  • Leslie Ballin

    Leslie I. Ballin

    • Ballin, Ballin & Fishman
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Fellow, American Coll. of Trial LawyersMember, NACDLMember, TN Assn. of Defense AttorneysListed, Best Lawyers in America (2007)Listed, Who's Who of TN (2007)Listed, Top 100 Attorneys of TN
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Texas, bba, 1974
    • Law School: University of Memphis , jd, 1977
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Juvenile Defense
    • White Collar Crime
  • James Bannister

    James W. Bannister

    • Bannister, Wyatt, & Stalvey LLC
    Contact Information
    Biography
    The only criminal defense lawyer certified in Criminal Trial Advocacy in Greenville, Mr. Bannister has been selected by his peers to Best Lawyers in America from 2007 until present for his work in white and non-white collar criminal defense as well as DUI/DWI Defense. He has also been selected by his peers to South Carolina’s Super Lawyers since 2011. On a national level, Mr. Bannister was recently named by the Top 100 Trial Lawyers as one of their nominees from South Carolina.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of South Carolina, BA, 1992
    • Law School: Univ. of South Carolina School of Law, JD, 1995
    Bar Information
    • South Carolina, US Dist. Ct., 4th Cir., US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Brittany Barnett

    Brittany K. Barnett

    Contact Information
    Social Media
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Ned Barnett

    Ned Barnett

    • The Law Offices of Ned Barnett
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Asst. District Attorney, Galveston County, TX (1988-1991)Prosecuter, US Attorney's Office, Houston, TX (1991-1994)Board Certified Criminal Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Texas, Business, 1984
    • Law School: University of Houston Law Ctr., Law, 1987
    Bar Information
    • 5th Cir., US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Investigator
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Jo Ann Barone

    Jo Ann Barone

    • Barone Law
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Florida State, BS, 1988
    • Law School: Florida State, JD, 1991
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture Reform
    • Immigration
    • White Collar Crime
  • John Barrett

    John T. Barrett

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
  • Robert Battle

    Robert E. Battle

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Former Law Clerk, US Dist. Ct., ED of VAFormer Asst. Commonwealth Attorney, Fairfax Co., VAFormer City Attorney, Fairfax City, VAAuthor, "Virginia DUI Defense: The Law and Practice."
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame, , 1981
    • Law School: William & Mary Law School, 1984
    Practice Areas
    • DUI
  • J. Beale

    J. Burkhardt Beale

    • Boone Beale
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Founding Member, National Coll. for DUI DefenseFrequent CLE Lecturer on DUI Defense for VA CLE, VA Trial Lawyers Assn.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Virginia, , 1977
    • Law School: Washington and Lee Univ. Sch. of Law, 1980
    Bar Information
    • 4th Cir., East. & West. Dists. of VA
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Douglas Beam

    Douglas R. Beam

    Contact Information
    Biography

    Doug Beam is no stranger to the underdog. A trial lawyer since 1985, Doug has a reputation as the “lawyer’s lawyerâ€; trying and winning the unwinnable. With a passion for the courtroom, Doug has handled thousands of cases, taken hundreds to trial and scored some of the largest verdicts in Florida’s history. 


    In 1988, Doug founded Douglas R. Beam, P.A., Attorneys and Counselors at Law. His law firm represents clients in a wide range of personal injury cases and select criminal cases. 


    Before opening Douglas R. Beam, P.A. in 1988, Doug served as a prosecutor for over three years at the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, trying many jury trials, and started the Child Sexual Abuse Prosecution Unit. His innovative approach as a prosecutor led to him trying one of the first-ever cases in the country which relied on DNA evidence. Doug routinely takes his cases to trial and earns large verdicts for his clients.


    Doug actively speaks at various events, teaching others in the legal community about trial practice, civil rights, police misconduct, personal injury, criminal defense, and working with clients suffering from severe brain injuries. Recent speaking engagements include:

    • 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 The National Trial Lawyers Summit (Miami, FL)

    • 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 Connectionology Brain Injury Seminar (Nationwide)

    • 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 Fla. Justice Association Workhorse Seminar (Orlando, FL)

    • 2016 Anatomy of a Personal Injury Lawsuit Seminar (Phoenix, AZ)

    • 2015 Catastrophic Care Society (Las Vegas, NV)

     

    Outside of his law firm and speaking engagements, Doug is a Diplomat and member of the Executive Committee of The National Trial Lawyers; AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; a President's Club Member of the American Association for Justice; the first lifetime member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL); a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL); an Eagle member of the Florida Justice Association and is recognized as a Super Lawyer. Doug is a past president of the Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents and the Brevard County Bar Association.


    Doug received his law degree from The University of Tennessee College of Law, where he received the Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions to the University of Tennessee College of Law, served as an assistant editor of the Tennessee Law Review and as editor-in-chief of The Forum, the law school newspaper. Doug is happily married to his wife of 37 years, Cathy. They have two sons, one of whom, Riley Beam, is a trial lawyer who practices at the firm.

    Education
    • Undergraduate: Western Carolina University, , 1979
    • Law School: University of Tennessee College of Law, 1985
    Bar Information
    • Mid. Dist. of FL, 11th Cir., US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Ryan Beasley

    Ryan L. Beasley

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Law Clerk for the Honorable John C. Few, (2002-2003)Law Clerk/Assistant Solicitor for 13th Cir. Solicitor's Office (2001-2002); AV Preeminent Martindale HubbellRating; Member, Greenville and American Bar Assn.Member, South Carolina Bar; South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association; South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Greenville Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Wofford College, BA, 1996
    • Law School: University of South Carolina, JD, 2000
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • John Beck

    John W. Beck

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Sex Crimes
  • Michael Becker

    Michael L. Becker

    • Las Vegas Defense Group, L.L.C.
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Southern California, B.A.- POSC, 1989
    • Law School: University of Miami School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1992
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Immigration
    • White Collar Crime
  • Joseph Beeler

    Joseph Beeler

    • Joseph Beeler, P.A.
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Best Lawyers in AmericaTop Lawyers, Annual Guide to Criminal Defense Law, Corporate Counsel magazineFlorida Super LawyersBest Legal Eagles in the State, Florida MonthlyTop Lawyers in South Florida, So. Florida Legal GuidePast President, American Bd of Criminal LawyersMartindale-Hubbell Client Review Rated Lawyer of Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 as of 2012 NACDL Life Member, Past Board Member, Chair, Amicus Curiae FACDL (Statewide and Miami Chapter)American Assoc. for Justice
    Education
    • Undergraduate: College of Wooster, B.A., 1966
    • Law School: Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1969
    Bar Information
    • OH (inactive)
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture Reform
    • International
    • White Collar Crime
  • Eoin Beirne

    Eoin Beirne

    • Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo, PC, Boston Office
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Corporate Compliance
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Robert Beles

    Robert J. Beles

    • Beles & Beles LLP
    Contact Information
    Biography
  • James Bell

    James A. H. Bell

    • Law Offices of James A.H. Bell, P.C.
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Member, NACDL Board of Directors (1990-96, 2006-2012)Member, NACDL Exec. Comm. (1994-95, 2000-03)NACDL Parliamentarian (2000-03) President, TACDL (1983-84)Member, Board of Directors, TACDL (1976-1992)Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers (1987-Present); Founding Member, Natl. Coll. for DUI Defense (1995-Present)Recipient, Robert C. Heeney Award, NACDL (2003); Recipient, Joe B. Jones Award, TACDL (2013)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: East Tennessee State University, B.S.W., 1970
    • Law School: University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D., 1973
    Bar Information
    • Tennessee; 6th Cir. Court of Apeeals, U.S. Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • Corporate Compliance
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • Investigator
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Mental Health Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Steven Bell

    Steven K. Bell

    • Meltzer & Bell, P.A.
    Contact Information
    Social Media
    Biography
    Steven Bell is a criminal defense attorney and partner at the law firm Meltzer & Bell, P.A.  With extensive knowledge of the Florida court system, Bell represents clients with a range of criminal charges, including DUI, drug offenses, and violent crimes.

    After graduating magna cum laude from Nova Southeastern University Bell became licensed to practice law in the state of Florida in 2004. Immediately, he joined the Broward County Public Defender's Office in the Juvenile Division as an Assistant Public Defender. In just three short years Bell was placed in the Felony Division in 2007.

    At age 26, Bell was named Managing Supervisor of the entire Juvenile Division, becoming one of the youngest attorneys to hold this position. As Managing Supervisor of the Juvenile Division, he defended minors facing first DUI, drug offense, and disorderly conduct charges.

    In 2007 Bell entered private practice and joined the firm Ruiz, Bell, Clayman, LLC, as partner. With Ruiz, Bell, Clayman, LLC he handled many felony and DUI charge cases. Later, he joined Ted L. Hollander & Associates (also known as Ticket Clinic). At the Ticket Clinic he was Lead Trial Counsel for Palm Beach and surrounding areas. In this capacity, he defended clients from hundreds of traffic violation allegations, pursuing many of them to jury trials. 

    In 2013, he teamed up with Lawrence Meltzer to form his own practice, Meltzer & Bell, P.A., where he aggressively defends those facing a range of criminal charges, from federal offenses to traffic violations, in the Palm Beach County area of Florida. 

    Steven has worked with independent experts on subjects ranging from forensic toxicology to traffic accident reconstruction when handing DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide cases. Introducing this type of evidence can be critical to building the strongest defense possible in these cases.

    Steven has been featured on Cop Talk Radio, Seaview Radio, Sirus XM Radio, News Channel 25, The Sun-Sentinel, New York Daily News and The Palm Beach Post in regards to criminal law. He was also selected as a rising star by SuperLawyers for 2012, 2013 and 2014 and a Super Lawyer in 2015. Martindale-Hubbell also rated Steven AV Preeminent in 2015. 

    Additionally, Steven was selected and invited to join the membership of the National Advocacy for DUI Defense in 2013 and was awarded for his outstanding DUI defense work as one of the top 100 DUI Lawyers in his geographic region for the year 2015.

    Steven Bell welcomes the opportunity to discuss your case. He is available 24/7 at (561) 557-8686  or toll free at (855) 548-4119.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Florida, Bachelor of Arts in Advertising, 2001
    • Law School: Nova Southeastern University’s Sheppard Broad Law Center, Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, 2004
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • Corporate Compliance
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • HIV/AIDS Criminalization
    • Immigration
    • International
    • Investigator
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Mental Health Defense
    • Military Defense
    • Mitigation Specialist
    • Public Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Patrick Benca

    Patrick J. Benca

    • Managing Attorney, Lion Legal
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Charter Member, Arkansas Assn. of Criminal Defense
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Arkansas, Little Rock, , 1996
    • Law School: Univ. of Arkansas School of Law, 1998
    Bar Information
    • 8th Cir., Eastern & Western Dists. of AR, US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Juvenile Defense
  • Brock Benjamin

    Brock M. Benjamin

    • Benjamin Law Firm
    Contact Information
    Biography
    United States v. Arvizu: “Fourth Amendment Misrepresentation “Stopped†at the Border,†30 T. Marshall L. Rev. 271 (2004)Winner 2003 State Bar of Texas Law Student Division essay contest- “The Second Amendment in the Current World.â€ÂThird Place 2005 Law Student Legal Writing Contest; State Bar of Texas International Section - “North Korea, Nukes and the World Communityâ€ÂWest Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Award 2004-2005Thurgood Marshall Class of 2005 Graduation Speaker
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Austin Peay State University, Bachelor of Science, 2000
    • Law School: Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2005
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Iris Bennett

    Iris Bennett

    • Member, Steptoe & Johnson
    Contact Information
    Biography

    Iris Bennett is a Chambers-ranked Practitioner in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) who went into private practice after serving as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia.  She has deep experience representing and counseling clients in connection with the investigation, defense, and resolution of White Collar matters, as well as the corporate compliance programs designed to avoid such liabilities. She has represented numerous Fortune 100 corporate and individual clients in matters relating to potential violations of criminal and civil fraud statutes, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Act, and antitrust laws.  She is fluent in Spanish and has conducted many matters in that language.  Iris clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Sweet of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and for the Honorable David S. Tatel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

    Education
    • Undergraduate: Harvard College, A.B., 1989
    • Law School: NYU School of Law, J.D., 1999
    Practice Areas
    • Corporate Compliance
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Brian Beresh

    Brian A. Beresh

    Contact Information
    Biography
    President, Criminal Trial Lawyers Assn.Sessional Prof. of Law, Univ. of Alberta (1986-Present)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Saskatchewan, BA, 1971
    • Law School: University of Saskatchewan Law School, LLB, 1974
    Bar Information
    • Western Canada, Saskatchewan
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances

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