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About J. Cheney Mason

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Overview 

J. Cheney Mason began his private law practice in Orlando, Florida in 1971 after admission to The Florida Bar.  His areas of practice include Criminal Defense, Marital and Family Law (Divorce Law), and Trial Practice, with a strong emphasis on Marital and Family Law and Criminal Law.  He is a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, certified by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

 Mr. Mason is frequently a guest lecturer before various Bar and Legal Associations and has published numerous legal articles.  J. Cheney Mason is often invited by the news media, on all levels, to provide expert commentary on legal issues involving criminal law and marital and family law, and he is active in numerous local and national legal organizations.  He has volunteered his time to teach trial techniques to young Prosecutors and Public Defenders at the annual workshop at the University of Florida, College of Law. 

Cheney is the recipient of numerous awards from a variety of professional organizations for his dedication to and accomplishments in the legal profession. In 2004, he was awarded the Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. This is "NACDL's most prestigious award given annually to one criminal defense attorney who best exemplifies the goals and values of the Association and the legal profession."

The press has also conferred upon Cheney special recognition for his skills, reputation, and expertise as a lawyer by naming him as a "Top Lawyer" on numerous occasions. He has been profiled in Orlando Magazine as one of the Attorneys You Can Trust, Six of Orlando's Legal Legends.   He has received national news coverage on ABC's Nightline, Public Eye With Bryant Gumbel, NBC's Today Show, NBC's Dateline, CBS' 48 Hours and Court TV.  Cheney has tried several criminal jury trials that were televised by national and local news media.

He is currently rated as an "AV" lawyer (the highest possible rating) by Martindale Hubbell, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Education

   University of Florida, B.A., 1968

  University of Florida, J.D., 1970

Bar Admissions

	The Florida Bar, 1971
	United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1972
	United States Supreme Court, 1975
	United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1976
	United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (Trial Bar), 1978
	United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1984

Specialty Designations

Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer, The Florida Bar 

Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy

Awards and Special Recognition

	Orange County Bar Association, Outstanding Section Chairman, Family Law; 1983-1984
	Florida State University, Litigation Skill Training Instructor Award, 1987
	Attorneys You Can Trust, Six of Orlando's Legal Legends. Orlando Magazine, 1997
	Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, Distinguished Leadership Award for Service from 1988-1999
	Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, In Your Face Award, 2000
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award, 2004
	American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007
	Orlando's Best Lawyers, Orlando Magazine, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
	Florida's Top Lawyers, Florida Monthly, 2008
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President's Commendation Award, 2008
	Florida Super Lawyers,2006, 2010, 2011
	Attorney of the Month, Attorney at Law Magazine, February 2012

Author

	Justice in America - How Prosecutors and the Media Conspire Against the Accused (2014 TitleTown Publishing)
	"Double Jeopardy and Collateral Estoppel", Special Problems in Criminal Law, Florida Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, 1978
	"Harmless Error", Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami Chapter, 1991
	"Theory of the Defense", Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami Chapter, 1992
	"Spouse Abuse - The Other Victim", The Florida Bar Journal, October, 1994
	"Practical Advocacy for Domestic Violence Cases", The Florida Bar Journal, 1997
	"Theory of the Defense", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008
	"Theory of the Defense", Florida Public Defenders Association, 2008

Lecturer

	Lecturer for Annual Criminal Law Seminars, Orange County Bar Association, 1978-1983
	Litigation Skill Training Instructor, Florida State University, 1987
	Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers Annual Seminar, 1987-1988
	Annual Seminars, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami Chapter, 1991, 1992
	Annual Lecturer, Trial Training Faculty, Florida Bar Prosecutor/Public Defender Workshop, 1981- 1999
	"Theory of the Defense", Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1998
	"Theory of the Defense", Lorman Institute, 2000
	"Theory of the Defense", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Seminar, 2008
	"Theory of the Defense", Florida Public Defenders Association Seminar, 2008

Professional Organization Leadership Positions

	Orange County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; Chairman, 1978-1979
	The Florida Bar, Legislative Committee; 1978-1980
	Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee; 1978-1981; Vice Chairman, 1981
	The Florida Bar, Ethics Committee; 1979-1981
	Orange County Bar Association, Executive Council, 1979-1983
	Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association; Vice President, 1979; President, 1980-1981
	Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section; Chairman, 1982-1984
	The Florida Bar Criminal Law Certification Committee; 1984-1986
	The Florida Bar, Criminal Law Section Executive Council; 1984-1994
	Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Board of Directors, 1988-1993; Treasurer, 1993; Secretary, 1994; Vice President, 1995; President Elect, 1996; President, 1997-1998
	The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1987- 1999; Vice Chairman, 1995-1996; Chairman, 1998-1999
	Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Criminal Law Section; Chairman, 1988-1989
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Board of Directors, 2001 - 2008
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Membership Committee, Member, 1997 - 2008; Chairman, 2000 - 2008
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; NGO Delegate in attendance to the United Nations Economic and Social Council's 12th Session of the Commission on Crime and Criminal Justice, Vienna, Austria, 2003
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Investment Committee, Member, 2006 - 2009

Membership Affiliations

	Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
	National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Life Member
	American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow
	Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
	Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
	American Bar Association, Member
	The Florida Bar, Member
	Orange County Bar Association, Member
	Disabled American Veterans, Life Member