After Gary Kollin graduated Harvard University with a Bachelors degree majoring in biology, he worked as a computer programmer/systems analyst for a large hospital in Boston. In that job Gary engineered and programmed an information management system for the hospital’s radiology department.

Gary realized that computer programming did not fulfill his desire to help people. He decided to return to south Florida where he was born and raised. He attended and graduated from the University of Miami Law School.

Gary commenced his legal career as an assistant public defender in Broward. He was assigned to the juvenile and felony trial units where he distinguished himself. He also handled appeals. As a public defender, he served as one of liberty’s last champions by protecting the rights of those accused of committing crimes.

Gary then became an assistant state attorney in Broward County. Serving in the case filing and felony trial divisions, Gary learned all aspects how the police investigate cases and the methods used by the prosecutors. Because of his experience as an assistant public defender, he maintained his high level of integrity and ensured and stood steadfast that he would not prosecute those who were not guilty.

In 1985, he left the Office of the State Attorney and served as legal counsel for Florida’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. In that position he supervised a cadre of investigators charged with the responsibilities to investigate Medicaid fraud perpetrated by health care providers including doctors, dentists and pharmacists. The Medicaid Fraud Unit also investigated abuse of the elderly occurring in nursing homes.

In 1987, Gary left government work and entered into private practice, first in Miami-Dade and then returning to Broward County. In private practice, he represents those accused in both the state and federal courts with crimes ranging from misdemeanors like petit theft and disorderly conduct to federal drug trafficking crimes and first degree murder.

In the appellate courts, he handles appeals in the Florida Supreme Court and the District Courts of Appeal as well in the federal Courts of Appeal. In 1993, he had the distinct honor of being appointed to represent John Angus Smith in the United States Supreme Court.

The practice of criminal defense trial and appellate law still did not satisfy Gary’s need to help people and ensure that justice was achieved. He utilized his knowledge of police tactics and procedure and transitioned into practicing civil rights law emphasizing in the areas of police misconduct, false arrest, illegal searches, malicious prosecution, excessive force, the denial of the freedom of speech as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and Section 1983 cases.

Gary Kollin is one of the preeminent lawyers in the area of police misconduct and civil rights law. He frequently litigates his cases in the federal courts appearing on the behalf of innocent people who have been the victims of police abuse. He understands that we trust and rely on our police officers, but when they do us harm, there must be justice to set it right.

Florida Criminal Trial Expert, Criminal Appellate Expert, and Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Expert, Gary Kollin is ranked “AV” by Martindale-Hubbell. The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register is limited to only the most distinguished law practices. The “AV” rating is the highest ranking awarded by Martindale-Hubbell.

The “A” signifies the highest level of legal ability, while the “V” denotes the “very high” adherence to the professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence. An “AV” rating is a significant accomplishment – a testament to the fact that a lawyer has been judged by his fellow lawyers to be designated at the highest level of professional excellence.

In addition, Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Gary Kollin is listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Such a designation establishes that Gary Kollin is ranked in the top 5% of all attorneys in the country.