Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A.

The Michael Ufferman Law Firm is committed to assisting clients in need of representation in the legal system. The firm’s number one goal is protecting the client’s rights in a time of need. The firm offers experience and dedication, with particular attention paid to the personal interests of the client.

The firm concentrates on state and federal criminal appeals and state and federal postconviction motions. Mr. Ufferman is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits, the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, and all state and appellate courts in the State of Florida.

Mr. Ufferman has handled hundreds of state and federal appellate and postconviction motions. Mr. Ufferman has drafted state and federal direct appellate briefs, postconviction appellate briefs, federal 2254 and 2255 motions, and state 3.800 and 3.850 motions. Mr. Ufferman has appeared at oral argument before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Supreme Court of Florida, and the First, Second, and Fifth District Courts of Appeal.

Michael Ufferman to Host New Episode of Ufferman Files

October 31: Ufferman Files Part 4. Join us on Friday, October 31, at noon for the next episode of Ufferman Files, by Michael Ufferman of the Michael Ufferman Law Firm, P.A. in Tallahassee. The topic is “Juvenile Resentencing.” Live on Zoom, 12–1:30 p.m. FREE CLE for Criminal Law Section members. Non-members register for only $40, which includes Section membership. REGISTER
This episode of Ufferman Files focuses on representing juvenile defendants who are eligible for resentencing/review pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision in Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012). The episode will feature the following guests: attorneys Jennifer Marshall and Don Pumphrey—who have successfully represented numerous juvenile defendants in Miller proceedings; Kate O’Shea—one of the leading mitigation specialists in the country; and Michael Rosado—a Miller defendant who was released from incarceration in the summer of 2024 after spending over 25 years in prison.

Criminal Law Section to present free CLE on juvenile resentencing

Redemption and second chances take center stage in The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section’s upcoming free CLE, “Ufferman Files Part 4 — Juvenile Resentencing,” on Friday, October 31 from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The program will explore strategies for representing juvenile defendants eligible for resentencing or review under Miller v. Alabama, 567 U.S. 460 (2012), the U.S. Supreme Court decision that found mandatory life sentences for juveniles unconstitutional.

Click here to learn more, and register!

BREAKING NEWS

Michael Ufferman Becomes Treasurer of the Executive Council of The Florida Bar Criminal Law Section

On July 1, 2025, Mr. Ufferman became the new Treasurer of the Executive Council of the Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar. He will serve a one-year term as Treasurer. The Criminal Law Section was created in 1976 to provide a forum for Bar members with a common interest in criminal law. As stated on the Section’s website, “The Criminal Law Section of The Florida Bar is the only organization that brings together the prosecution, defense, and judiciary. Our members are prosecutors, public and private criminal defense lawyers, judges, law professors, and law students. Members of the section are united by their shared goal of providing a fair, just, and efficient criminal justice system for everyone, and the section’s purpose is to assist all criminal law practitioners in this shared goal. The section provides its members continuing legal education (CLE), federal and state case law updates, up-to-date information about important criminal law legislation, and opportunities to interact with others who work to assure criminal justice.”

Michael Ufferman Becomes Chair of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee of The Florida Bar

On July 1, 2025, Mr. Ufferman became the new Chair of the Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration Committee of The Florida Bar. He will serve a one-year term as chair, leading the Committee on considerations of proposed amendments to the rules of court that govern procedures such as e-filing legal documents with the court, confidentiality, service of legal documents on other parties, technology use, case management, etc.

Florida Criminal Practice and Procedure

Mr. Ufferman is the author of the book Florida Criminal Practice and Procedures, 2025 ed. (Vol. 22, Florida Practice Series). Florida Criminal Procedure is a comprehensive guide to pretrial criminal procedure, investigation of criminal offenses, and stages of trial.

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Florida Bar Certified Criminal Appellate Lawyer

In 2015, Mr. Ufferman became President of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL). In 2010, Mr. Ufferman received the FACDL President’s Appreciation Award, and in 2009, he received the FACDL President’s Extra Mile Award. In 2009, Mr. Ufferman was elected to the board of directors of FACDL. He has also served as the Chair of FACDL’s Amicus Curiae Committee. Mr. Ufferman served on the board of directors of the Innocence Project of Florida from 2007-2014.

Mr. Ufferman is a frequent lecturer, having spoken at statewide and local seminars (including FACDL’s annual meeting and FACDL’s “Showcase on Sentencing”). Mr. Ufferman has previously served on The Florida Bar’s Criminal Law Certification Committee.

Mr. Ufferman earned his Bachelor of Arts from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1994, graduating Cum Laude and majoring in both Political Science & History. Mr. Ufferman earned his Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law in1997, graduating with high honors. After graduating from law school, Mr. Ufferman clerked for Justice Major B. Harding at the Supreme Court of Florida from 1997 to 2002. In 2002, Mr. Ufferman joined the Robert Augustus Harper Law Firm, where he worked until 2004 when he left to start his own law firm.

Mr. Ufferman is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the Tallahassee Bar Association.

As of 2024, Mr. Ufferman is an adjunct professor teaching criminal procedure at the Florida State University College of Law.