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Michelle Rachel Yard

Joshi Law Firm, P.A.

19 years of experience
Criminal Law, Appeals & Appellate, White Collar Crime ...
Florida

Badges

Claimed Lawyer Profile

Practice Areas

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

Appeals & Appellate: Federal Appeals

White Collar Crime

DUI & DWI

Juvenile Law

Fees

Free Consultation
Free phone, virtual, or in-office initial consultation.
Credit Cards Accepted

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Florida
Since 2005

11th Circuit
Since 2015

U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Since 2005

U.S. Supreme Court
Since 2017

Languages

English: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

Trial, Appellate, and Post-Conviction Attorney: Joshi Law Firm, P.A.; 2023 - Current

Appellate, Post-Conviction, and Trial Attorney: Federal Defender's Office, MDFL, Orlando Division; 2015 - 2023

Trial, Appellate, and Post-Conviction Attorney: Ninth Circuit Public Defender's Office, Orlando, Florida; 2005 - 2015

Education

University of Florida: J.D. (2005)

Awards

Joseph W. Durocher "Foot Soldier of the Constitution": Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; 2016; The Joe Durocher Award is given annually to a criminal defense attorney who exemplifies the actions of a true criminal defense lawyer. They fight for their client’s rights, as well as improving the Criminal Justice system as a whole.

Professional Associations

Florida State Bar # 14085: Member; 2005 - Current

Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys (CFACDL): President 2022-2023; President-Elect 2021-2022; Vice President, 2020-2021; Media Liaison, 2020-2021; 2005 - Current; Activities: Membership Committee (2020-2021); Board Member (2019-2020); Legislative Committee (2019-2020); Speedy Trial Committee (2019-2020); Marsy's Law Committee (2018-2019)

ACLU: Board Member, Central Florida Chapter; 2019 - 2020; Activities: Organized a live candidate forum on behalf of ACLU of Central Florida and Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (CFACDL). We also partnered with League of Women Voters for Orange County. I gave the intro for ACLU and CFACDL. All four democratic candidates for State Attorney participated. Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel moderated the two hour forum with pre-selected questions. The June 11, 2020 event reached over 11,000 views. https://www.facebook.com/cfacdl/videos/29596

Speaking Engagements

Criminal Law Legal Panel, Zoom (Orlando, Florida): October 13, 2021; University of Central Florida Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity; This session offered Q&A and advice to university students interested on pursuing law school and legal careers, emphasizing on those in criminal law.

Florida's Juvenile Justice System and How it Impacts Federal Sentencing, Zoom (Orlando, Florida): August 4, 2021; Federal Defender's Office, MDFL; This presentation summarized Florida’s Juvenile Justice System and explained the juvenile process from initial contact with law enforcement, custody (detention center; await court date at home), assessment (diversion; adult court; JDAI), to court disposition (case dropped to residential facility). It then explored direct-filed juvenile offenses and the impacts the juvenile record will have on a client in federal court including criminal history, career offender, ACCA, and 851 enhancements.

Ethical Duties and Standards for Lawyers Representing Children in Adult Criminal Court, Zoom (Orlando, Florida): May 6, 2021; FIU Law Direct File and Youthful Offender Project & CFACDL; This course reviewed the ethical rules regarding the representation of minors, the standards of representation when a juvenile client has been charged with a serious felony in adult court, special considerations related to competence, and the challenges in communicating with child clients.

Shon Hopwood's Journey: Prison Inmate to Georgetown Law Professor, CFACDL Monthly Seminar, Zoom (Orlando, Florida): December 9, 2020; Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; This session will introduce Professor and Attorney Shon Hopwood. He will discuss his remarkable and unusual journey beginning with a twelve-year prison sentence, through drafting and getting two certiorari petitions granted by the Supreme Court while in prison, through becoming a successful lawyer published in numerous prestigious law reviews. The session will conclude with a 35 minute Q&A on topics from appellate advice to prison reform, moderated by Michelle Yard.

Securing Freedom under Graham and Miller, CFACDL CLE Luncheon, Sorosis Club, Orlando, FL: February 26, 2020; Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; This training presented the stories of five men sentenced to life-in-prison without parole as children in Orange County, Florida and their journeys from entering prison as children through obtaining their freedom today under Graham v. Florida and Miller v. Alabama. I presented along with the five men that I fought for years to free.

First Step Success: Freedom After 26 Years, 2019 Annual Middle District Federal Training Conference, Art Ovation Hotel, Sarasota, Florida: September 19, 2019; Federal Public Defender; This session presents a historical perspective of the crack-to-powder sentencing disparities over the last 30 years and the interplay of its slow, but ultimately successful legislative reform, culminating in the FSA, as it pertains to one new releasee, formerly imprisoned for life.

Sentencing Reform—Success Under the First Step Act, Winning Strategies, Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland: June 6, 2019; Defender Services; Mass incarceration has plagued many prisoners and their families. For decades, the crack-to-powder sentencing disparity resulted in unfair and unwarranted sentencing disparity. Although modest in many respects, the First Step Act is bringing hope and reduced sentences to many prisoners. This session explores the sentencing reformation of the last 30 years and and details the successful release of one prisoner under the First Step Act.

"Lunch and Learn", UCF Campus, Orlando, Florida: September 14, 2018; Center for Law and Policy, Department of Legal Studies, University of Central Florida; This seminar, attended by undergraduate and graduate students, explored state and federal criminal law in practice, and associated career paths.

"Consequences of a Felony Conviction", Department of Corrections Life Skills & Career Readiness Program, Orlando Division Probation & Parole, Orlando, Florida: June 1, 2018; Florida Department of Corrections; This session explored the consequences of felony conviction on an individual, including the impact of adjudication being withheld and the loss of civil & firearm rights, as well as the restoration of those rights. The difference between direct and collateral consequences of a criminal conviction was also covered.

Mitigation: The Duty to Investigate, Nitty Gritty Mitigation Sentencing Strategies: Mitigation and Sentencing for Miller, Death Penalty, and Veteran Clients, Orlando Regional History Center, Orlando, Florida: July 25, 2017; Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; This session focused on the attorney’s role in conducting, and managing, the mitigation investigation. It included discussion on mitigation themes, tactics, and strategies. Covered topics included what to collect, what to look for, retaining experts, working with experts and lay witnesses, developing reentry plans, creating mitigation packets, and writing sentencing memoranda.

Fla. Statute § 921.1401 Sentencings: Pleadings, Proof, and Preservation, From Mischief to Murder: Representing Teens and Young Adults Facing Prison, in conjunction with the Florida Public Defender Association, Inc.'s Trial with Style 2016, The Naples Beach and Golf Club, Naples, Florida: December 2, 2016; Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; This session explored how to prepare for, and present, your JLWOP case for resentencing from start to finish.

Mitigation, Litigation, & Negotiation Strategies: Mitigating the Aggravation, Juvenile Life Without Parole Resentencings, Renaissance Airport Hotel, Orlando, Florida: September 25, 2015; Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; This session focused on strategies regarding how to prepare for bad facts; use of experts; and ideas about when and how to attempt to resolve Miller and Graham resentencing hearings short of full resentencing hearings; finally, it dealt with mitigating and litigating "bad facts."

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Certifications

Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney: The Florida Bar; 2015

Websites & Blogs

Website: Joshi Law Firm, P.A.

Website: Florida Bar Lawyer Details

Contact & Map

Joshi Law Firm, P.A.

5750 Major Blvd., Suite 530

Orlando, FL 32819

Telephone: (407) 661-1109

Monday:	8:30 AM - 5 PM
Tuesday:	8:30 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday:	8:30 AM - 5 PM
Thursday:	8:30 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Friday:	8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday:	Closed
Sunday:	Closed

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