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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
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The Florida Bar, 1971
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United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1972
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United States Supreme Court, 1975
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United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1976
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United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (Trial Bar), 1978
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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
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Orange County Bar Association, Outstanding Section Chairman, Family Law; 1983-1984
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Florida State University, Litigation Skill Training Instructor Award, 1987
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Attorneys You Can Trust, Six of Orlando's Legal Legends. Orlando Magazine, 1997
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Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, Distinguished Leadership Award for Service from 1988-1999
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Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, In Your Face Award, 2000
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award, 2004
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American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2007
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Orlando's Best Lawyers, Orlando Magazine, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
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Florida's Top Lawyers, Florida Monthly, 2008
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, President's Commendation Award, 2008
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Florida Super Lawyers,2006, 2010, 2011
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Attorney of the Month, Attorney at Law Magazine, February 2012
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Author
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Justice in America - How Prosecutors and the Media Conspire Against the Accused (2014 TitleTown Publishing)
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"Double Jeopardy and Collateral Estoppel", Special Problems in
Criminal Law, Florida Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Program, 1978
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"Harmless Error", Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
Miami Chapter, 1991
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"Theory of the Defense", Florida Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers, Miami Chapter, 1992
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"Spouse Abuse - The Other Victim", The Florida Bar Journal, October,
1994
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"Practical Advocacy for Domestic Violence Cases", The Florida Bar Journal, 1997 |
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"Theory of the Defense", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008
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"Theory of the Defense", Florida Public Defenders Association, 2008
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Lecturer
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Lecturer for Annual Criminal Law Seminars, Orange County Bar Association,
1978-1983
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Litigation Skill Training Instructor, Florida State University, 1987
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Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers Annual Seminar, 1987-1988
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Annual Seminars, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Miami
Chapter, 1991, 1992
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Annual Lecturer, Trial Training Faculty, Florida Bar Prosecutor/Public
Defender Workshop, 1981- 1999
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"Theory of the Defense", Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers
Association, 1998
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"Theory of the Defense", Lorman Institute, 2000 |
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"Theory of the Defense", National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Seminar, 2008
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"Theory of the Defense", Florida Public Defenders Association Seminar, 2008
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Professional Organization Leadership Positions
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Orange County Bar Association, Criminal Law Section; Chairman, 1978-1979
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The Florida Bar, Legislative Committee; 1978-1980
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Ninth Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee; 1978-1981; Vice Chairman, 1981
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The Florida Bar, Ethics Committee; 1979-1981
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Orange County Bar Association, Executive Council, 1979-1983
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Central Florida Criminal Defense Attorneys Association; Vice President, 1979;
President, 1980-1981
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Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section; Chairman, 1982-1984
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The Florida Bar Criminal Law Certification Committee; 1984-1986
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The Florida Bar, Criminal Law Section Executive Council; 1984-1994
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Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Board of Directors,
1988-1993; Treasurer, 1993; Secretary, 1994; Vice President, 1995; President
Elect, 1996; President, 1997-1998
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The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, 1987- 1999; Vice
Chairman, 1995-1996; Chairman, 1998-1999
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Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Criminal Law Section; Chairman, 1988-1989
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National Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers; Board of Directors, 2001 - 2008
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Membership Committee, Member, 1997 - 2008; Chairman, 2000 - 2008
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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
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Investment Committee, Member, 2006 - 2009
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Membership
Affiliations
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Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Life Member
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American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow
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Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
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Central Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
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American Bar Association, Member
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The Florida Bar, Member
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Orange County Bar Association, Member
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Disabled American Veterans, Life Member
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