Christopher E. Benjamin

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Christopher E. Benjamin, serves as an Of counsel attorney at International Law Partners. He graduated from Florida Memorial University (the only historically black university in South Florida) with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Political Science in 1998 and St. Thomas University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate in 2001.  Mr. Benjamin is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator.

A member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Benjamin served as a Traffic Magistrate for the Traffic Division of the County Court for the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida and Special Magistrate for Code Enforcement in varies municipalities in the tri-county area. 

Mr. Benjamin – was a member of the Dade County Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee and member of the Dade County School Board’s Small Business/Minority/Women/Veteran Advisory Committee -- is a staunch community advocate and has spent his career, helping families navigate the process of divorce, ensuring persons charged with a crime receive a fair trial, helping protect the civil rights of the discriminated, helping the injured find relief, helping small business owners establish their businesses, helping the low-to-moderate income residents of Florida find affordable access to the courts and helping litigants find alternatives to resolving their disputes.


Bar Admissions:

  • Florida Bar

  • Supreme Court of the United States of America

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida

  • U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida 

  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court

Alternative Dispute Resolution Affiliations:

  • Salmon & Dulberg, Dispute Resolution

    • Panelist; Mediator, Arbitrator and Windstorm Umpire

    • Commercial Litigation, Employment, Foreclosure, Family, Insurance, Real Estate, Bankruptcy and Construction

  • Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA)

    • Panelist; Arbitrator

    • Securities Exchange Commission Disputes

  • Florida Department of Financial Services

    • Independent Contractor; Mediator

    • Insurance Claim Disputes

Licenses/Certifications:

  • Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (County, Family, Circuit Civil and Appellate)

  • Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator

  • Florida Real Estate Broker

    • Certified Property Management Specialist

  • Title Insurance Agent

  • Florida Notary Public

Education:

  • St. Thomas University School of Law, Miami Gardens, Florida, 2001, Juris Doctorate

  • Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, Florida, 1998, Bachelor of Arts

Classes Taught:

  • Adjunct Professor, NSU’s Shepard Broad School of Law

  • Adjunct Professor, Florida Memorial University, Business and Criminal Law

  • Adjunct Professor, City College, Business Law, Criminal Law, Torts and Contracts

  • Adjunct Professor, Miami-Dade College, Title Insurance Agent and Notary

  • Attorney Trainer, Miami-Dade Teen Court, Attorney Basic Skills and Knowledge

Speaking Engagements:

  • Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce: How to Read Contracts (Guest Speaker 2019)

  • NAACP & MDC: The Legacy of Civil Rights: 50 years Later (Panel Speaker 2018)

  • Broken Voices: Hit and Run Responsibilities (Panel Speaker 2018)

  • NSU Shepard Broad Law School: Social Justice Lawyering (Speaker 2018)

  • View Point with Seeta and Friends Radio Show: Restoration of Civil Rights (Speaker 2018)

  • Arlington Academy 12th Grade Graduation: 2017 Commencement Speaker

  • Reaching Our Youth – Conflict Resolution Forum (Panel Speaker 2017)

  • Urban League of Broward County: Know Your Rights (Panel Speaker 2015)

  • The Wells Foundation’s forum: Building Communities (Panel Speaker 2014)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Solo/Small Firm Committee: How to Start Your Own Practice 2013 (Panel Speaker: Law Firm Management and Technology)

  • State Representative Kionne McGhee’s forum: (2013) Our Voting Rights … (Panel Speaker)

  • NAACP’s forum: The Legal Process – A Look at the George Zimmerman Case (Panel Speaker)

  • St. Thomas University School of Leadership Studies; Why is Education Important 2011 (Guest Speaker)

Publications/Writings:

The Truth About Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law; reported (printed) by: In Focus Magazine, Columbus New Times, dallasweekly.com, copylinemagazine.com, urbanmediatoday.com, sharenews.com, g987fm.com and interviewed about the article by: Lawtalk, The Bachelor Pad and The Community Defender with Brother Adrian.

Honors and Awards:

Professional:

  • South Florida Legal Guide: Top Attorney (2020 and 2021)

  • America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators (2019)

  • US News & World Report Online Lawyers Directory

  • Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2018 and 2020)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Legal Luminary (2017 Finalist: Top Solo)

  • Dade County Bar Association: Legal Luminary (2016 Finalist: Marital Law)

  • Florida Trend Magazine: Legal Elite (2015)

  • World Wide Registry of Experts (2015)

  • National Association of Distinguished Counsel; Top 1% (2015 Invitation)

  • Best Attorneys of America (2015 Invitation)

  • National Black Lawyers; Top 100 (2015-2019 Invitation)

  • Martindale Hubbell: Client Distinction Award (2015)

  • 11th Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County: General Magistrate Nominee (2014)

  • World Wide Registry of Professionals and Executives (2014)

  • Marquis Who’s Who in American Law 18th Edition (2014) and 19th Edition (2015)

  • Listed in ALM’s Legal Leaders: South Florida’s Top Rated Attorneys (2012)

  • South Florida Business Journal: 40 under 40 (2012)

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: 40 under 40 Outstanding Lawyers in Miami-Dade (2012)

  • National Trial Lawyers:  Top 40 under 40 (2012 and 2013 Invitation)

  • Super Lawyers: 2014 - 2021

  • Super Lawyers Rising Star: 2012 and 2013

  • Martindale Hubbell: AV Preeminent Attorney 2011-2021

  • AVVO.com: Attorney rating of Superb

  • International Historical Society: Who’s Who of Entrepreneurs 2007

  • Put Something Back Program: Outstanding Pro Bono Award

Community/Civic:

  • Exquizite Management Inc.; FECAG: Most Inspiring Male 2019

  • Miami’s 50 Most Powerful & Influential Black Business Leaders of 2018

  • JM Family Enterprises; African American Achievers (2018 and 2020 Nominee)

  • UNCF/National Alumni Council: 2017 Hall of Honor Award

  • Trayvon Martin Foundation: 2016 Father of the Year Honoree

  • Bme Leadership Award (2016 nominee)

  • Brown Girls, Inc.; Outstanding Greek Alumni of Florida Memorial University (2015)

  • Miami-Dade County Charmettes; Man of the Year: Civic Honoree (2015)

  • JM Family Enterprises; African American Achievers: (2015 Nominee) 

  • Marquis Who’s Who in America 67th Edition (2013) and 68th Edition (2014)

  • Legacy Magazine: South Florida’s 40 under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow (2012)

  • Florida Memorial University: President’s Fountain of Excellence

  • UNCF/National Alumni Council: Outstanding Young Alumni

Elected Offices:

  • Florida House of Representatives, District 107 (November 2020 – present)

Civic/Governmental Appointments:

Quasi-Judicial

  • 11th Judicial Circuit, County Court Traffic Hearing Officer

  • City of North Miami Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

  • City of Opa Locka Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

  • City of Hallandale Beach Special Magistrate (Red Light Camera)

  • City of South Bay Special Magistrate (Code Enforcement)

State of Florida (Gubernatorial)

  • State of Florida Local Advocacy Council (2005-2006)

Municipal (County)

  • Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Citizens Advisory Committee (2003-2004)

  • Miami-Dade County Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (2010-2013)

  • Miami-Dade County Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (2017- 2020)

  • Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights (2019 – 2020)

School Board

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Attendance&Boundary Advisory Committee (2017 – 2020)

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Small Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (Vice Chair)

  • Miami-Dade County School Board Secure Our Future Advisory Committee (2019 – 2020)

Municipal (City)

  • City of Miami Gardens’ Nuisance Abatement Board (Co-Chairman)

  • City of Opa Locka Ad Hoc City Attorney Search Committee (Chairman 2008)

  • City of Miami Gardens Mayoral Task Force on Underage Drinking  (2008-2012)

Professional Associations and Memberships:

  • Florida Bar:

    • Civil Law Rules of Procedure Committee: 2016-2018 

    • Family Law Rules Committee: 2008-2010

    • Consumer Protection Committee: 2004-2006

  • Dade County Bar Association:

    • Solo/Small Firm Co-Chairman (2012-2013)

    • Juvenile Court Committee Chairman (2009-2010)

  • Florida Muslim Bar Association:

    • President: 2011-2012

  • Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association (f/k/a Black Lawyers Association):

    • President: 2009-2010

  • National Association of Hearing Officials

  • Florida Association of Professional Mediators

  • Florida Association of Realtors

  • Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce


Community & Civic Organizations and Associations:

  • N.A.A.C.P. Miami-Dade Branch:

    • 3d Vice President/General Counsel 2010 -2014

    • Legal Redress Committee Chairman 2008 -2014, 2018 - present

  • 100 Black Men of South Florida:

    • Collegiate 100 Advisor (FMU)

  • James E. Scott Community Association (J.E.S.C.A.):

    • Board of Directors: 2003-2010

  • Miami-Dade Chapter of Sickle Cell of America:

    • General Counsel 

  • Florida Memorial University National Alumni Association:

    • General Counsel

  • Keep Miami Beautiful, Inc.

    • An affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc:

    • Chairman of Board of Directors: 2010-2011

  • Portraits of Empowerment Foundation:

    • Vice Chairman of Board of Directors: 2010-2011 

Pro Bono/Community Service Activities:

  • Guardian Ad Litem (volunteer attorney)

  • Put Something Back (Legal Aid Society) (volunteer attorney)

  • Small Claims Clinic (Legal Services of Greater Miami) (volunteer attorney)

  • Lawyers for Children of America (volunteer attorney)

  • Volunteer Lawyers Project for the Southern District of Florida (volunteer attorney)

  • Miami-Dade County Mock Trial Competition (volunteer judge)

  • Jessup International Moot Court Competition (volunteer judge)

  • Justice Teaching Program 

  • Miami-Dade Teen Court (volunteer judge)

  • William Dandy Middle School (Law Magnate Program) (sponsor/mentor)

Fraternities:

  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

    • Life Member #6287

    • International Rules and Bylaws Committee (18-20)

    • 7th District Rules and Bylaws Committee (18-20)

    • 7th District Scholarship Committee (18-19)

    • 18th U/I Representative to the Supreme Council (98-00)

    • 2nd Vice 7th District Representative (97-98)

    • 2nd Vice FLSO State Representative (96-97)

    • FLSO State Counselor (02-04)

    • Region One Representative (00-02)

    • FLSO Scholarship Chairman (18-19)

    • Sigma Alpha Chapter Vice Basileus (03-05)

    • Kappa Gamma Chapter Basileus (96-98)

    • Awards:

      • 25yr Service Recognition

      • 7th District Superior Service Award (19 and 20)

      • Chapter Superior Service Award (18 and 20)

      • Supreme Council Service Appreciation (00) 

      • Undergraduate Omega Man of the Year (97-98) (International, State, District and Chapter)

  • F&AM (South Miami #308)

  • AASR (Valley of Miami)

  • AAOMS (Mahi Shriner)

  • R.A.M. and R.&S.M. (Jericho Chp. 11 & Adoniram Cncl. 10)

  • OES (Lakeside #271)

  • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Inc.