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Christopher Emmanuel Benjamin

The Barrister Firm, P.A.

18 years of experience
Arbitration & Mediation, Bankruptcy, Business Law ...
Florida

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Biography

Mr. Benjamin is a Lawprenuer(tm) and the founder of the Barrister Firm, P.A.; his practice emphasizes delivery of outstanding legal services in a variety of legal areas such as civil & commercial litigation, family litigation, criminal litigation, banking, probate administration, employment/labor and bankruptcy just to name a few. He is an AV Preeminent Attorney (highest recognized peer rating) and his clients include lenders, developers, investors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, publishers, corporations (including non-profits), individuals and small business owners. Mr. Benjamin is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator with the prestigious dispute resolution firm of Salmon & Dulberg and he's been listed on the panel of mediators and arbitrators for American Arbitration Association, Collins Center for Public Policy, FL Department of Financial Services and Financial Industry Regulation Agency (FINRA). Mr. Benjamin's wide knowledge of various legal areas and easy going demeanor has made him a great jurist as he serves on the bench of Traffic Court for County Court in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida and Special Magistrate for several municipalities. He has served as president of Miami-Dade's Black Lawyers' Association (The Wilkie D. Fergson, Jr. Bar Association). He has also chaired the Miami-Dade County Bar Association's Solo/Small Firm Committee. He has represented dozens of indigent clients through Dade County Legalaid's Put Something Back Program. Mr. Benjamin strives to maintain a practice that provides the legal services most needed in your everyday life so that there is rarely ever a need to look elsewhere. At the Barrister Firm, we are the last attorneys you'll ever need. Specialties: Litigation Alternative Dispute Family Labor & Employment Real Estate Civil Rights Bankruptcy Criminal Probate Immigration Small Business/Non-Profit/Entrepreneurs

Practice Areas

Arbitration & Mediation: Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration

Bankruptcy: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief

Business Law: Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Civil Rights: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

Consumer Law: Class Action, Lemon Law

Criminal Law: Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Divorce: Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Entertainment & Sports Law

Estate Planning: Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills

Foreclosure Defense

Immigration Law: Asylum, Citizenship, Deportation Defense, Family Visas, Green Cards, Immigration Appeals, Investment Visas, Marriage & Fiancé(e) Visas, Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Work Visas

Intellectual Property

Insurance Claims: Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance

Landlord Tenant: Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights

Medical Malpractice: Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors

Military Law: Veteran's Benefits

Native American Law

Personal Injury: Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Probate: Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests

Social Security Disability

Traffic Tickets: Suspended License

Fees

Free Consultation
for most legal areas
Credit Cards Accepted
Master Card, Visa, American Express
Contingent Fees
contingent fees for personal injury, medical malpractice, and some civil cases
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
$400 per hour (sliding scale rate and flat fees available - based on income)

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Florida
Since 2002

11th Circuit
Since 2002

Federal Circuit
Since 2002

U.S. Supreme Court
Since 2008

Languages

English: Spoken, Written
French: Spoken, Written
Haitian Creole: Spoken, Written
Spanish: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

Special Magistrate: City of North Miami; 2014 - Current

Special Magistrate: City of Opa Locka; 2012 - Current; The Special Magistrate is an attorney and member of the Florida Bar who is appointed by the City Council to preside over code enforcement matters. The Special Magistrate has the jurisdiction and authority to hear and decide alleged violations and exercise the powers of a Code Enforcement Board as provided in chapter 162, Florida Statutes.

Traffic Magistrate: Dade County Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court (Traffic Court); 2011 - Current

Mediator and Arbitrator: Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution; 2010 - Current

Managing Shareholder: The Barrister Firm, P.A.; 2002 - Current

Education

St. Thomas University School of Law: J.D. | Law; 1998 - 2001; Honors: Who's Who Among American Law Students Moot Court; Activities: Student Bar Association Black Law Student Association (Southern Regional Treasurer)

Florida Memorial University: B.A. | Political Science; 1994 - 1998; Honors: All American Collegate Scholar Herman Dreer Leadership Scholar Dean's List Cum Laude; Activities: Senior Class President Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Kappa Gamma Chapter (President) Attorney General Student Government Association Pre-Law Society (President) NAACP College Branch (President)

Awards

Top 100: National Black Lawyers; 2015

Top One Percent: National Association of Distinguished Counsel; 2015

Legal Elite: Florida Trend; 2015

Who's Who in American Law: Marquis Who's Who; 2014

Super Lawyer: Super Lawyers; 2014

Top Legal Leaders of South Florida: ALM Legal Leaders; 2013

Rising Star: Super Lawyers; 2012; An honor reserved for those lawyers who have shown excellence in practice. No more than 2.5% of lawyers in Florida are named to this list and the lawyer must be 40yrs old or younger or in practice for ten years or less.

40 under 40: South Florida Business Journal; 2012; Honoring the best and brightest young professionals in South Slorida who have made waves both in the business world and the community.

40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers in Miami-Dade County: Cystic Fibrosis; 2012

40 under 40 Top Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow: Legacy Magazine; 2012

Listed in Top Rated Attorneys in South Florida: Daily Business Review; 2012

Who's Who in America 67th Edition: Marquis Who's Who; 2012

Top 40 under 40: National Trial Lawyers; 2012; This is an honor of invitation only and is extended exclusively to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results and leadership as a young trial lawyer.