Derek Byrd has been recognized with awards and accolades throughout his career.

Below are some of the current recognition Derek has received.

• Board-certified in criminal trial law for the last 19 years
• AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell (highest rating)
• Recognized as a “Super Lawyer” for the past 10 years
• Listed in Best Attorneys in America for the past 20 years
• Past President of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Statewide Chapter
• Past President of Sarasota County Bar Association
• Past President of Judge John M. Scheb American Inn of Court
• Past chairman of local bar Grievance Committee
• Winner of the 12^th Judicial Circuit Jim Slater Professionalism Award
• Board member of Innocence Project of Florida
• Past President of Sarasota County Chapter of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Member of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Sarasota County Bar Association and “Life member” of Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Rated 10.0 by AVVO, an attorney reading company (highest rating available)

Derek Byrd continues to receive awards and accolades for his outstanding work.

2025 Best Lawyers Distinction

Derek Byrd has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Lawyer in Criminal Law for 2025. We are eagerly awaiting our plaque and web banner to celebrate this achievement.

This honor from Best Lawyers is based solely on peer review. Their methodology aims to accurately reflect the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their peers within the same geographical area and legal specialty. Best Lawyers utilizes a detailed, thoughtful, and transparent survey process to gather meaningful and substantial evaluations of legal service quality. We firmly believe that the integrity of a peer-review survey is intrinsically linked to the caliber of its participants.

2024 Best Lawyers Distinction

Derek Byrd has been awarded the distinction of being a 2024 Best Lawyer
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Best Lawyers methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical region and legal practice area. Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer-review survey is directly related to the quality of its voting pool.

2024 Judicial Edition Rating by Martindale-Hubbell ®

Derek Byrd has been awarded the 2024 Judicial Edition AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. This is the highest rating available from Martindale-Hubbell®, and we have been notified of this honor and are currently awaiting the award to update our website.

Derek’s legal ability and ethical standards were rigorously evaluated by members of the bar and judiciary through a confidential assessment. The Judicial Award of the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ is a particularly prestigious distinction as it reflects the confidential opinions and recommendations of judiciary members who know Derek’s capabilities as an attorney in practice. The Judicial Edition Award signifies that judges before whom Derek practices have rated him highly regarding his legal ability and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ remains the gold standard in attorney ratings, acknowledging lawyers for their robust legal ability and high ethical standards for over a century. Individuals seeking legal representation can rely on these ratings to identify, evaluate, and select the most suitable lawyer for their legal issues.

2022 Judicial Edition Rating by Martindale-Hubbell ^®

Derek Byrd has been awarded the 2022 Judicial Edition AV Preeminent® Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. The Judicial Edition AV Preeminent award is Martindale-Hubbell®’s highest available rating. Derek’s legal ability and ethical standards were evaluated by members of the bar and judiciary in a confidential assessment. The Judicial Award of the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ is a special distinction as it is based on the confidential opinions and recommendations of members of the judiciary who are familiar with Derek as a practicing attorney. The Judicial Edition Award indicates that judges before whom Derek practices have given him the highest ratings available on his legal ability and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ is the gold standard in attorney ratings, and, has recognized lawyers for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards for more than a century.  Individuals researching lawyers for their own legal needs should use these ratings to identify, evaluate and select the most appropriate lawyer for their legal issue.

15 Years Selected as a Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis.  Derek Byrd has been selected for the last 15 consecutive years as a “Super Lawyer”.

Florida Bar Board Certified

The Florida Bar considers Mr. Byrd an “expert” in criminal trial law.
This is the highest level of recognition given by the Florida Bar. Board Certification is based on competency & experience within a defined area of law.
Derek Byrd has held this award honor since 2002.

Jim Slater Award 2018

The recipient of the Jim Slater Award for Professionalism in the practice of Criminal Law is selected by the Judges of the 12^th Judicial Circuit and is the only award presented by our local judiciary.

Learn more about the 12th Judicial Court

The Best Lawyers in America

This award is based solely on peer review and reflects the opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and practice area. The Best Lawyers in America accolade indicates that Mr. Byrd is considered to be in the top 5% of practicing lawyers in the United States in the legal field of Criminal Defense.

American Institute’s 10 Best Attorneys

An exclusive list of the “10 Best” Attorneys for each State who must have attained the highest degree of professional achievement in his/her field of law and have an impeccable client satisfaction rating. This is a prestigious honor for Mr. Byrd as it confirms that he has achieved unparalleled success for the benefit of his clients.

Super Lawyers

After having been evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, Mr. Byrd’s inclusion in Super Lawyers indicates that he is considered to be in the top 5% of all attorneys in the State of Florida.

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