Michael R. Buchanan
Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorney
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
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.
NATURE OF LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE
For more than twenty-five years, Michael Buchanan’s practice of law has been 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, DUI (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. Gainesville criminal defense attorney Michael R. Buchanan’s 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.
The Florida Bar has also approved the use of "Avvo" and its rating service as another tool to assist people to make the best decisions for their legal needs. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model that considers elements such as years of experience, education, disciplinary history, professional achievement, and industry recognition. Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Buchanan's Avvo rating is "superb". Click here to view Avvo'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
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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 Circuit Chief Judge Robert Cates, 1996
Member, Eighth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee "B", 1993 - 1996
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
The law firm of DeThomasis and Buchanan 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. Michael Buchanan has attended the following continuing legal education programs:
Florida Public Defender Association Conferences, Summer 1986, 1987
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Fall Seminar 1989, 1990, 1992; Summer 1990, 1992
"Life over Death" Death Penalty Conference Fall 1990, Winter 1992, Fall 1996, Fall 1998
Appellate Practice Pointers 1995; Eighth Judicial Circuit Chapter-FACDL
Grievance Committee Institute 1996
Survey of Florida Law - The Florida Bar 1997
University of Florida Professionalism Seminar - Criminal Law Group Discussion Leader 1999
Death in Different IX - Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, February 2003
Criminal Law Certification Review - Florida Bar/FACDL; 2003
Professionalism for Criminal Law - April 2003
Kids, Cops, and the Courts - April 2003
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 17th Annual Seminar 2004
Criminal Law Certification Review - October 2005
Ethics of Establishing the Client Relationship - April 2006
Case Evaluation and Selection (Instructor) - November 2007
Blood, Breath and Tears XV - DUI Seminar - September 2008
Ethical Issues in Criminal Law - March 2009
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 21st Annual Seminar - 2009
University of Florida Professionalism Seminar - Criminal Law Group Discussion Leader, April 2011
Eyewitness Identification, Litigation Training, January 2012
Masters of DUI 2012, The Florida Bar, April 2012
2012 Criminal Law Certification Review, April 2012
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 three dimensional 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.
GAINESVILLE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER
