Graduate: University of Florida College of Law, Gainesville, FL
Degree Earned: Juris Doctor - August 1978

Undergraduate: Duke University, Durham, NC
Degree Earned: Bachelor of Arts, 1975, Cum Laude
Majors: Political Science and Economics

University of Miami School of Law, visiting student 1977-78, Miami, FL
High Honors, Spring 1978; "Book Award," Creditors/Debtors Rights, Spring 1978, University of Miami
Law Review, University of Florida College of Law, Board member 1976-78

Ashley Hall, High School Diploma, 1971, Charleston, SC

WORK EXPERIENCE

As an advocate for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and those less powerful than the government, Barbara was convinced to join the private bar in 2001 and to practice with others she has grown to respect and admire over the years.

Before joining DeThomasis & Buchanan, P.A., Barbara practiced criminal law as an assistant Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit for over sixteen years. Barbara was a member of the defense team for Danny Harold Rolling from 1992 through his trial in February of 1994.

Barbara has continued to participate in educational enhancement through death penalty programs and other criminal law seminars. She also participates in the mentoring of fellow bar members through the American Inns of Court.

Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1979, Barbara initially practiced in the area of civil litigation in Miami, FL. Leaving the practice of law for a year before returning to Gainesville in 1984, Barbara sailed the Caribbean aboard a 60' schooner as First Mate and Chef.

Since 1868, generations of lawyers have relied on the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory as an authoritative guide to the American legal profession. The Martindale-Hubbell database is regarded as a primary research source for information and ratings of law firms and attorneys around the world. Barbara Blount-Powell’s attorney rating is AV - the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell. According to Martindale-Hubbell, an "AV rating indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards as established by confidential opinions from members of the Bar." Click here to view Martindale-Hubbell’s online rating of Barbara Blount-Powell.

2001 - PRESENT - DeThomasis & Buchanan, P.A., criminal defense practice

1984 - 2001 - Assistant Public Defender, 8th Judicial Circuit, Gainesville, FL
(Felony Assistant 1986 - 2001)

1983 - 1984 - Moorings Ltd., Tortola, British Virgin Islands - crew/chef, charter sailing yacht "Bright Star"

1980 - 1983 - Salley, Barns, Pajon, Guttman and Del Valle, P.A., Miami, FL - Associate, commercial litigation

1979 - 1980 - Highsmith and Strauss, P.A., Miami, FL - Associate, personal injury litigation

1978 - 1979 - Turner and Morris, P.A., Gainesville, FL - law clerk, criminal defense practice

Member, Florida Bar, admitted in April 1979

President, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1990-1991

Vice President/President-elect, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1989-1990

Secretary, 8th Circuit Chapter, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1988-1989

Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1988-present

Chapter Representative, Board of Directors of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 1990-1992

Member, Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar 1986-present

Currently Emeritus Member, James C. Adkins, Jr., American Inns of Court, member since 1995

Member, Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association

RECENT CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

"Blood, Breath and Tears" DUI Seminar
Sponsor: Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Oct. 2006; Sept. 2005; Oct. 2004; Sept. 2003

"Intoxilizer 800" Seminar
Sponsor: Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Sept. 2005

Criminal Law Certification Review
Sponsor: Florida Bar Association and Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
April 2006; April 2005; April 2004

PERSONAL

A sixth generation Floridian, Barbara actually spent most of her youth living all over the United States and Central America. The daughter of a U.S. Navy officer, Barbara called DeLand, Florida, home base while residing wherever her father’s orders carried the family. She attended thirteen elementary schools and three high schools before the family moved to the Canal Zone in Panama for most of her college career. Always an avid sailor and horsewoman, Barbara pursues her equestrian interest in dressage and is teaching her children to ride aboard her horse and their ponies.

Returning to Florida for law school in 1975, Barbara made Gainesville her home. An interest in criminal law was originally fostered by an uncle who was a sitting Florida judge for more than thirty years. His love of the law, particularly criminal law, gave Barbara an early interest and exposure to its substance and development in this state.

Barbara married Scott in 1992 and they have two children. They all look after the dog, horse, ponies, cockatiel, and fish.