Kendall Coffey Biography

Kendall Coffey

Kendall Coffey is a founding member of the Miami-based law firm Coffey Burlington, PL, which handles matters in Florida and throughout the entire U.S.. Coffey also currently serves as the Chair of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for South Florida. Appointed by both of Florida's United States Senators, he presides over the 21-person commission that selects individuals to be considered by the White House to become U.S. federal judges and U.S. Attorney for South Florida. Mr. Coffey served during the 1990s as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, the nation's largest federal prosecution office.

As U.S. Attorney, he was responsible for thousands of federal criminal prosecutions as well as civil lawsuits involving the United States. After his public service, he resumed private law practice with major litigation roles in such high profile cases as the Elian Gonzalez international custody battle, and the 2000 U.S. Presidential Election Recount.

Today, Kendall Coffey’s law practice areas of specialty include business disputes and litigation, national and international litigation, fraud cases, enforcement of contracts and loan agreements, government disputes and defense of criminal investigations. Along with representing business companies, Coffey Burlington focuses on assisting business people with their financial as well as personal disputes.

He is annually recognized as one of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Florida “Super Lawyer,” and South Florida Legal Guide’s “Top Lawyers”, recognized by the National Law Journal as one of its Lawyers of the Year for 2000, as Member of Gore Legal Team.

A frequent teacher and guest lecturer, he has been Guest Legal Analyst providing legal commentary for international networks: CNN International, Telemundo, Univision, Canadian Broadcasting Company; national networks: CNBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, FOX, MSNBC and NBC; and several local television channels.

Currently, he appears as a legal analyst and consultant for NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo. As a teacher, Mr. Coffey is adjunct faculty member for University of Miami School of Law, Florida Constitutional Law (2008 – present), Florida International University (Administrative Law 2011), and Trial Advocacy Program (1991 – 1993).

PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS

Kendall has written several books that have acquired national acclaim. These books are:

1.Florida Foreclosures: Remedies, Defenses, and Lender Liability – provides comprehensive coverage of the law as well as the legal strategies for lenders and borrowers embroiled in litigation. The title features a detailed examination of foreclosure procedures from the inception of default all the way to the impact of foreclosure appeals by compiling an analysis of the practical consideration, the legal principles and the hundreds of Florida decisions that govern the foreclosure process.

2. Spinning the Law: Trying Cases in the Court of Public Opinion – In this book Kendall Coffey writes with lucidity, knowledge and insight. Many entertaining examples and explanations of high profile cases make this book “Spinning the Law” an ideal reading for everyone who like to read about celebrity legal problems. This book also much recommended to lawyers, public relations professionals, journalists, and media students.

Some of Kendall’s other works include:

·      Contributing Author: Real Property III (Chapter on Construction Loan Agreements) The Florida Bar Law Journal

·      The Troubled Construction Loan (Chapter on Contractors), Wiley & Sons (1991)

·      Conozca A Los Estados Unidos, - Chapters on Legal System, Role of Prosecutors and Public Corruption (2009)

Educational Career

University of Florida (J.D., graduated first in March, 1978 class)

Florida Blue Key; Phi Kappa Phi; Order of the Coif, Member, Moot Court

Article Editor and Senior Student Works Editor, University of Florida Law Review (1977-1978)

University of Florida – B.S. Degree with honors (1975)

Miami Dade Community College

Palmetto Senior High School

Career in Public Sector

U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Florida (1993-1996)

Law Clerk to Hon. Lewis R. Morgan, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit (1978)

Career in Private Sector

Founding member of Coffey & Wright, L.L.P., concentrating in complex litigation at trial and appellate levels, in federal and state courts

Founding member, Coffey, Aragon, Martin & Burlington (1988-1993)

Director and Shareholder, Greenberg, Traurig, headed firm’s banking litigation division (1984-1988)

Associate, Greenberg, Traurig (1978-1984)

Kendall Coffey has also involved with charitable activities and was named as Valor Awardee in 2006 by the American Diabetes Association.

BAR ADMISSIONS

Florida; Supreme Court of Florida; U.S. District Courts, Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida; U.S. Courts of Appeals, Second, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; Supreme Court of the United States

From Emily: Having been positively influenced by Kendall's latest book “Spinning the Law” I proceeded to gather more information about Kendall's personality and career path. Some of this has already been in the public domain, albeit scattered. In this Blog I will be adding more information about him in order to create a compendium on Kendall that may be useful to the general public as well as law professionals. Your suggestions and comments are welcome.