Born and raised in the state of Florida, Michael attended Oviedo High School where he was Student Body President from 1976-1977. While attending Oviedo High School, Michael was captain of the debate team, winning first place in the state of Florida District Three Interscholastic Debate Tournament in 1975, 1976 and 1977. In 1976, he was awarded first place in Lincoln/Douglas debate for the South Eastern United States Region during the Bicentennial Youth debates.

Michael Buchanan attended college at the University of Central Florida (UCF) where he majored in Political Science. He attended UCF on scholarship for debate where he competed nationally in 1979 and 1980. In 1980, he was on one of only 56 teams nationally invited to attended the National Debate Tournament which was held in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from UCF, Magna Cum Laude, June 12, 1981.

Michael Buchanan attended the University of Florida College of Law. While in Law School he was selected to be a member of the Justice Campbell Thornall National Moot Court Board and was recognized as a outstanding senior member of the moot court team in 1984. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Law on May 5, 1984.

WORK EXPERIENCE

While in law school, from September 1981 through August 1983, Michael was employed as a law clerk by Larry G. Turner, Esquire. Larry Turner’s law practice was devoted primarily to the defense of persons accused of crime . As a law clerk Michael’s duties included legal research and preparation of memorandum of law regarding criminal defense issues.

Additionally, while in law school, Michael participated in the Criminal Law clinic program where he became a certified legal intern for the Public Defenders Office, Eighth Judicial Circuit in September 1983. Michael remained employed by the Public Defenders Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit through 1988 where he was an Assistant Public Defender in the misdemeanor, traffic and felony divisions.

In 1989 Michael Buchanan entered private practice and began his professional association with Craig C. DeThomasis. Since 1989, Michael’s practice of law has been primarily devoted to criminal defense.

NATURE OF LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Michael Buchanan’s law practice is primarily devoted to criminal defense. Criminal Defense represents 90% of the cases handled by Michael. He has previously represented citizens charged with first degree murder, manslaughter, sexual battery, robbery, burglary, grand theft, forgery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, drug sale, delivery, possession and numerous other criminal felony and misdemeanor offenses. Michael Buchanan has tried as lead counsel numerous jury and nonjury trials. Michael has actual jury trial experience handling cases where individuals have been charged with attempted murder, sexual battery, armed robbery, car jacking, child abuse, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, resisting officer with violence, burglary, drug sale, drug possession, driving under the influence, battery, domestic violence and petit theft.

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. Michael R. Buchanan’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 Michael R. Buchanan.

JURISDICTIONS LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW

State of Florida
Federal, Northern District Court of Florida
Federal, Middle District Court of Florida

President 1992, Eighth Judicial Circuit Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Secretary/Treasurer 1991, Eighth Judicial Circuit Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Board of Directors 1993, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member, Criminal Law Section of the Florida Bar, 1989 - present

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1990 - present

Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1990 - present

Member, Eighth Judicial Circuit Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1990 - present

Legal Panel Member, American Civil Liberties Union, 1989 - 1993

Member, Alachua County Jail Population Task Force, appointed by Eighth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Robert Cates, 1996

Member, Eighth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "B", July 1993 - July 1996

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

The law firm of DeThomasis and Buchanan, P.A. encourages its personnel to advance their education and participate in programs which address the needs of its clients. In an effort to provide the most effective representation in a changing legal environment, the following courses are representative of the commitment to advancement of that education.

1. Florida Public Defender Association Conferences Summer 1986, Summer 1987
   
   
2. Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Seminars Fall 1989, Summer 1990, Fall 1990, Summer 1992, Fall 1992
   
   
3. "Life over Death": Death Penalty Conference Fall 1990, Winter 1992, Fall 1996, Fall 1998
   
   
4. Appellate Practice Pointers November 6, 1995 Sponsor: Eighth Judicial Circuit Chapter-FACDL
   
   
5. 1996 Grievance Committee Institute - Sponsor: The Florida Bar for members of local grievance committees
   
   
6. 1999 Professionalism Seminar - Criminal Law Group Discussion Leader
   
   
7. 1997 Survey of Florida Law - The Florida Bar
   
   
8. Death in Different IX - Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), February 2003
   
   
9. Criminal Law Certification Review - Florida Bar/FACDL; April, 2003
   
   
10. Professionalism for Criminal Law - FACDL; April 2003
    
    
11. Kids, Cops, and the Courts - FACDL; April 2003
    
    
12. Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 17th Annual Meeting and Seminar - June 2004
    
    
13. Criminal Law Certification Review - Florida Bar/FACDL - October 2005
    
    
14. Ethics of Establishing the Client Relationship - Florida Bar - April 2006
    
    
15. Showcase on Sentencing - Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - April 2006
    

HOBBIES AND NONLEGAL INTERESTS

Michael R. Buchanan is an avid gardener who is often found pruning his plants and pulling weeds. His green thumb is widely recognized by his friends and neighbors.Michael is often found at the beach, camping, fishing or creating mosaic art in his home art studio. A newspaper article appeared in the June 13, 2004 issue of the Gainesville Sun on Michael's mosaics titled "Gainesville lawyer Michael Buchanan is also an accomplished 3-D mosaic artist" . Click here to read the article.