Benedict P. Kuehne

Admitted: 1977, Florida; 1979, District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, U.S. District Courts, Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida; U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; 1984, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Tenth Circuits; 1990, U.S. Court of Appeals, First, Ninth and Federal Circuits; 1997, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida. Professional Summary: Known as the “Iron Lawyer” for his successes and accomplishments in complex, protracted trials and appeals, as well as for his significant achievements as an Ironman athlete (140.6 miles of swim, bike, and run), Benedict P. Kuehne is experienced in both trial and appellate courtrooms throughout the State of Florida and across the nation. While he is known best for his significant representations as a white collar criminal defense lawyer, he is also one of the premier election law specialists in Florida, having represented Vice President Al Gore and the Gore/Lieberman Recount Committee as trial cocounsel in the 2000 election recount trial and the appeals to the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. In 2012, leading a legal team, Ben obtained the fifth highest verdict in the United States, $155 million, for his successful representation of an internationally accomplished educator who sued as a whistle blower for her wrongful termination. Recently, Ben prevailed against the U.S. Department of Justice in a test case in which he was charged, as a lawyer, with money laundering for reviewing and approving the propriety of legal fee payments to another prominent criminal defense lawyer for representation of a high-profile client prosecuted for drug trafficking. In a long-awaited and highly favorable appellate decision of first impression, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals declared that legal fees paid for criminal defense representation were exempt from money laundering enforcement. The Department of Justice promptly dropped all charges, resulting in Ben’s immediate vindication the day before Thanksgiving 2009. He is a Past President of the Dade County Bar Association, a former member of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar, a Past President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-Miami, a Life Member of its Miami Chapter, a Founding and Life Member and past board member of the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a Charter Member of the Rosemary Barkett Appellate Inn of Court. He previously served as Chair of the Criminal Law Section, the Appellate Section, and the Council of Sections of The Florida Bar, was President of the Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents, and served as Chair of the Appellate Certification Committee and the Criminal Certification Committee of The Florida Bar. He is triple certified by The Florida Bar in Criminal Trial Practice, Appellate Practice, and Criminal Appellate Law, and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Criminal Trial Advocate. He is also credentialed as a Certified Fraud Examiner and a Certified Legacy Advisor. Member: Dade County (President, 1998-1999), Palm Beach County, and American Bar Associations; The Florida Bar (Chair, Criminal Certification Committee, 1990-1993; Member, Appellate Rules Committee, 1979-1984, 1985-1989; Criminal Law Section, Chair, 1994-1995; Chair, Appellate Certification Committee, 1995-1999; Chair, Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section, 2000-2001; Chair, Council of Sections, 1999-2000; President, Florida Council of Bar Association Presidents, 2001; Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1999-2005); The District of Columbia Bar; National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Charter Member, Board of Directors, 1988-1989, 1991—), (Miami Chapter, President, 1990-1991); Florida Justice Association (Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers), 1991—; Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. (Board Certified Criminal Appellate Practice Lawyer, Criminal Trial Practice, and Appellate Practice Lawyer, Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education) (Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocacy Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy).