The Miami chapter of the only statewide association of criminal defense lawyers in Florida

Ensuring justice and due process for persons accused of a crime; fostering the profession’s integrity, independence, and expertise; promoting the proper and fair administration of criminal justice.

Our History

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) is the only
statewide association of lawyers in Florida devoted exclusively to serving all segments of the defense bar. According to the mission statement of the Miami chapter, our mission is to preserve the adversarial justice system: maintain and foster independent and able criminal defense lawyers, and ensure justice and fairness for persons accused of a crime. FACDL-Miami is an advocate for the advocate.

The mission of FACDL-Miami is to preserve the adversarial justice system, to maintain and foster independent and able criminal defense lawyers, and to ensure justice and due process for all persons accused of violations of the law.

“The assistance of counsel is one of the safeguards of the Sixth Amendment deemed necessary to ensure fundamental rights of life and liberty.”

—Justice Hugo Black, United States Supreme Court

Achieving our mission

FACDL-Miami is an affiliate of the state-wide organization, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The organization was formed for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, which include, but are not limited to, the following purposes:

Provide support for criminal defense lawyers in the practice of their craft, including, but not limited to: a strike force, amicus briefs, and other services which will improve the quality of representation of the accused.

Enlighten the public about the role of criminal defense lawyers in society.

Coordinate efforts with national and local bar associations concerned with the criminal justice.

Protect the individual rights of the citizens of Florida as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Florida Constitution, including the right to counsel.

Promote the exchange of experience, legal precedent, and research among criminal defense lawyers throughout the Florida.

Maintain the integrity and independence of criminal defense lawyers.

OUR TEAM

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Federal and State Public Defenders
and Regional Conflict Counsel

Carlos J. Martinez

Public Defender

Hector Dopico

Interim Federal Defender

Eugene Zenobi

Regional Counsel

Statewide Chapter Representative

Tony Moss

Matt Meyers

Dianne E. Carames

Life Members

Michael A. Catalano

Robert Coulombe Jr.

Ramon De La Cabada

Christopher DeCoste

Patrick S. Dray

Mark R. Eiglarsh

Scott H. Fingerhut

Rick Freedman

Edith Georgi

Michael A. Haber

Kenneth P. Hassett

David Joffe

Mason Kerns

Albert J. Krieger

Benedict P. Kuehne

Beatriz A. Llorente

David O. Markus

Margot Moss

Tony Moss

Joseph Nacimento

Eduardo Pereira

Paul Petruzzi

Sabrina Puglisli

Karen Rosenzweig

Alex John Saiz

Elliot H. Sherker

Janice Burton Sharpstein

Rae Shearn

Brian L. Tannebaum

Jeffrey S. Weiner

Eugene Zenobi

Past Presidents - Directors Emeritus

Dianne E. Carames

2023

Michael Davis

2022

Kevin Hellmann

2021

Matthew Meyers

2020

Michelle Estlund

2019

Carmen Vizcaino

2018

Marcos Beaton

2017

Brian Kirlew

2016

Teresa Enriquez

2015

Margot Moss

2014

Eduardo X. Pereira

2013

Jude M. Faccidomo

2012

Beatriz A. “Betty” Llorente

2011

Sabrina Puglisi

2010

Hector L. Flores

2009

Rick Freedman

2008

Barry M. Wax

2007

David O. Markus

2006

Brian L. Tannebaum

2005

H. Scott Fingerhut

2004

Kenneth P. Hassett

2003

Paul M. Rashkind

2002

Leonard A. Sands

2001

Gregory A. Prebish (dec.)

2000

Jeffrey E. Feiler

1999

Kenneth M. Swartz

1998

Pamela I. Perry

1997

Honorable Richard L. Hersch

1996

Steven M. Potolsky

1995

Honorable Robert N. Scola, Jr.

1994

David B. Rothman

1993

William Aaron

1992

Honorable Milton Hirsch

1991

Benedict P. Kuehne

1990

Jose M. Quinon

1989

Honorable Theodore Klein (dec.)

1988

Edward R. Shohat

1987

Richard A. Sharpstein (dec.)

1986

Richard A. Sharpstein (dec.)

1985

Neal R. Sonnett

1984

Honorable Stanford Blake

1982

Jeffrey S. Weiner

1981

Stephen J. Bronis

1980

Honorable Ronald C. Dresnick

1979

Alan E. Weinstein

1978

James G. Gilmour

1977

Thomas J. Morgan, Sr.

1976

Sky E. Smith

1975

Marco B. Loffredo(dec.)

1974

Marco B. Loffredo(dec.)

1973

Walter Gwynn (dec.)

1970

Robert L. Koeppel (dec.)

1969

Arthur B. Stark (dec.)

1968

Arthur B. Stark (dec.)

1967

Mitchell M. Goldman

1966

Philip Carlton (dec.)

1965

Philip Carlton (dec.)

1964

Harry W. Prebish (dec.)

1963

Lauren Field Krasnoff

President

Lauren Field Krasnoff is a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has served on the Board of FACDL-Miami since 2015 and has been on the executive board since 2020. She also serves as the co-chair of the Miami-Dade Bar Association’s Criminal Courts Committee.

Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense and has tried over 90 cases. She started her practice at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, where she tried cases in the Juvenile, County Court, and Felony divisions before serving as a Felony Training Attorney and ultimately as a Senior Supervising Attorney. After nearly eight years as a state public defender, Lauren shifted gears and joined the Federal Defender’s Office of the Southern District of Florida. Lauren practiced at the Federal Defender’s Office for six years before joining Markus/Moss. Lauren is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York.

Lauren Field Krasnoff

President

Lauren Field Krasnoff is.a partner at Markus/Moss PLLC. Lauren has served on the Board of FACDL-Miami since 2015 and has been on the executive board since 2020. She also serves as the co-chair of the Miami-Dade Bar Association’s Criminal Courts Committee.

Lauren has spent her career devoted to criminal defense and has tried over 90 cases. She started her practice at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, where she tried cases in the Juvenile, County Court, and Felony divisions before serving as a Felony Training Attorney and ultimately as a Senior Supervising Attorney. After nearly eight years as a state public defender, Lauren shifted gears and joined the Federal Defender’s Office of the Southern District of Florida. Lauren practiced at the Federal Defender’s Office for six years before joining Markus/Moss. Lauren is a proud alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and the Cardozo School of Law in New York.

Alex John Saiz, Esq.

President Elect

Alex John Saiz is the Director of Legal Services for the Florida Justice Center. He oversees the legal representation of thousands of indigent clients with clemency, rights restoration, and civil rights issues. During his time, the Florida Justice Center has become one of the largest legal aid organizations in the State of Florida. Through the organization’s growth, Alex has become one of the foremost experts on clemency and voting rights for those with felony convictions.
Alex has been a criminal defense attorney in Florida for over a decade, where he has represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from simple traffic cases to murder. Alex currently runs his own law firm and is proud to represent indigent clients as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
​Alex graduated from Florida International University with a B.A. degree in International Relations and Political Science. He graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Alex is also active in the community as a member of the Camillus House Young Leader’s Board and the Anti-Defamation League Florida Board.

Alex John Saiz, Esq.

President Elect

Alex John Saiz is the Director of Legal Services for the Florida Justice Center. He oversees the legal representation of thousands of indigent clients with clemency, rights restoration, and civil rights issues. During his time, the Florida Justice Center has become one of the largest legal aid organizations in the State of Florida. Through the organization’s growth, Alex has become one of the foremost experts on clemency and voting rights for those with felony convictions.
Alex has been a criminal defense attorney in Florida for over a decade, where he has represented thousands of clients in matters ranging from simple traffic cases to murder. Alex currently runs his own law firm and is proud to represent indigent clients as an Assistant Regional Counsel.
​Alex graduated from Florida International University with a B.A. degree in International Relations and Political Science. He graduated from the American University Washington College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctorate.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Alex is also active in the community as a member of the Camillus House Young Leader’s Board and the Anti-Defamation League Florida Board.

James Dubray

Vice President

James DuBray has been an Assistant Public Defender with the Law Office of Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez since 2014. During that time, he has worked in the children’s defense, county court, and felony trial divisions. From February 2021 until October 2022, James was a Felony Training Attorney, working to develop the office’s newest felony trial attorneys. In October 2022, James became the office’s Advanced Litigation Coordinator, a position created to help further train the office’s attorneys handling felony cases with increasingly severe consequences. James has been awarded the Gideon’s Hope Scholarship for his contributions as an APD. James is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, where he committed his time to indigent defense. In 2018, James returned there to work for 8 months with the school’s Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, which teaches law students to defend indigent clients accused of federal crimes.

James Dubray

Vice President

James DuBray has been an Assistant Public Defender with the Law Office of Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez since 2014. During that time, he has worked in the children’s defense, county court, and felony trial divisions. From February 2021 until October 2022, James was a Felony Training Attorney, working to develop the office’s newest felony trial attorneys. In October 2022, James became the office’s Advanced Litigation Coordinator, a position created to help further train the office’s attorneys handling felony cases with increasingly severe consequences. James has been awarded the Gideon’s Hope Scholarship for his contributions as an APD. James is a 2014 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, where he committed his time to indigent defense. In 2018, James returned there to work for 8 months with the school’s Federal Criminal Justice Clinic, which teaches law students to defend indigent clients accused of federal crimes.

Alyssa Espinosa

Treasurer

Alyssa Espinosa is an Associate at Wahid Vizcaino Geller, PLLC. Born and raised in Miami, she was a Dean’s Merit scholar at Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She went on to attend the University of Miami for law school with nearly a full-ride scholarship. Alyssa received recognition for her skills in trial advocacy when she won the Marco Vazquez Litigation Skills Scholarship.

After graduating, Alyssa went on to work as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County for three years. While there, she represented accused individuals in criminal cases ranging from DUI offenses to serious felonies such as armed drug trafficking, aggravated battery, and other offenses for which her clients were facing up to life in prison. She prides herself on her ability to connect with her clients, learn what is most important to them in the resolution of their case, and advocating zealously in their defense while advising them on all potential outcomes. 

Alyssa worked as a law clerk for Wahid Vizcaino Geller when she was in law school and has now returned as an Associate. She works on Federal and State criminal cases of all levels. In her transition to private practice, she has applied her tenacity and experience as a trial lawyer to litigating civil cases. Alyssa has successfully represented corporate clients at civil mediations and has played an integral role in their matters by drafting and litigating dispositive motions. 

Alyssa is the Treasurer of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a member of the Miami-Dade Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.

Alyssa Espinosa

Treasurer

Alyssa Espinosa is an Associate at Wahid Vizcaino Geller, PLLC. Born and raised in Miami, she was a Dean’s Merit scholar at Florida International University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. She went on to attend the University of Miami for law school with nearly a full-ride scholarship. Alyssa received recognition for her skills in trial advocacy when she won the Marco Vazquez Litigation Skills Scholarship.

 After graduating, Alyssa went on to work as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami-Dade County for three years. While there, she represented accused individuals in criminal cases ranging from DUI offenses to serious felonies such as armed drug trafficking, aggravated battery, and other offenses for which her clients were facing up to life in prison. She prides herself on her ability to connect with her clients, learn what is most important to them in the resolution of their case, and advocating zealously in their defense while advising them on all potential outcomes. 

 Alyssa worked as a law clerk for Wahid Vizcaino Geller when she was in law school and has now returned as an Associate. She works on Federal and State criminal cases of all levels. In her transition to private practice, she has applied her tenacity and experience as a trial lawyer to litigating civil cases. Alyssa has successfully represented corporate clients at civil mediations and has played an integral role in their matters by drafting and litigating dispositive motions. 

 Alyssa is the Treasurer of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a member of the Miami-Dade Bar Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Miami-Dade chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers.

Jennifer Thorton

Secretary

Jennifer Thornton is an Assistant Public Defender with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Jennifer has spent her career devoted to criminal defense, trying cases in juvenile court, county court, and felony court. In August 2022, she became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. Jennifer now works in the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, and has argued before the Third District Court of Appeal. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University in New Jersey, and her juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

Jennifer Thorton

Secretary

Jennifer Thornton is an Assistant Public Defender with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Jennifer has spent her career devoted to criminal defense, trying cases in juvenile court, county court, and felony court. In August 2022, she became Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law. Jennifer now works in the Appellate Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, and has argued before the Third District Court of Appeal. Jennifer received her undergraduate degree from Monmouth University in New Jersey, and her juris doctorate from University of Miami School of Law. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.

Dianne E. Carames

Immediate Past President

Dianne is a former Assistant Public Defender with the Miami Dade Public Defender’s office and has extensive trial experience handling State and Federal cases. While at the Public Defender’s Office, Dianne was recruited to join the firm of Sabrina Puglisi where she was made partner and created the firm Puglisi Carames. The firm handles any State or Federal criminal matters and has established itself as one of the most well-known firms that handles high-profile cases. Dianne has tried over 50 jury trials, ranging from misdemeanor offenses (such as DUIs, battery, and trespassing) to more serious federal offenses (such as human trafficking, insurance fraud, and drug trafficking).

Since 2016, Dianne has been a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Chair of the Criminal Courts Committee for the Miami Dade Bar, one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Miami Dade County. In May of 2023, Dianne was elected President of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, making her the 50th President of the only criminal defense voluntary bar organization. As part of her voluntary bar leadership, Dianne manages the board meetings and organization budget, facilitates discussions on various legal issues resulting in filings with the Florida Supreme Court (procedural rule changes, amicus briefs) and the creation of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses for all Florida attorneys. She not only lobbies for the rights of her clients but also lobbies for criminal lawyers practicing in Miami Dade.

Dianne has also been named a Rising Star SuperLawyer and has received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Dianne has also been a member of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, which is an organization in Miami missioned with empowering youth.

Dianne was born and raised in Miami and is fluent in Spanish. She attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law. In addition to the Florida Bar, Ms. Caramès is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida and in Nebraska, and in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eight and Eleventh Circuits.

Dianne E. Carames

Immediate Past President

Dianne is a former Assistant Public Defender with the Miami Dade Public Defender’s office and has extensive trial experience handling State and Federal cases. While at the Public Defender’s Office, Dianne was recruited to join the firm of Sabrina Puglisi where she was made partner and created the firm Puglisi Carames. The firm handles any State or Federal criminal matters and has established itself as one of the most well-known firms that handles high-profile cases. Dianne has tried over 50 jury trials, ranging from misdemeanor offenses (such as DUIs, battery, and trespassing) to more serious federal offenses (such as human trafficking, insurance fraud, and drug trafficking).

Since 2016, Dianne has been a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Chair of the Criminal Courts Committee for the Miami Dade Bar, one of the largest voluntary bar associations in Miami Dade County. In May of 2023, Dianne was elected President of the Miami chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, making her the 50th President of the only criminal defense voluntary bar organization. As part of her voluntary bar leadership, Dianne manages the board meetings and organization budget, facilitates discussions on various legal issues resulting in filings with the Florida Supreme Court (procedural rule changes, amicus briefs) and the creation of CLE (Continuing Legal Education) courses for all Florida attorneys. She not only lobbies for the rights of her clients but also lobbies for criminal lawyers practicing in Miami Dade.

Dianne has also been named a Rising Star SuperLawyer and has received the Top 40 Under 40 Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Dianne has also been a member of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee, which is an organization in Miami missioned with empowering youth.

Dianne was born and raised in Miami and is fluent in Spanish. She attended the University of Central Florida for her Bachelor’s degree and obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Florida International University College of Law. In addition to the Florida Bar, Ms. Caramès is admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida and in Nebraska, and in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eight and Eleventh Circuits.