The Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (BACDL) is a voluntary professional organization serving criminal defense attorneys practicing in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Florida. The organization brings together private criminal defense attorneys, public defenders, and other members of the local defense bar to promote effective criminal defense representation and protect the constitutional rights of people accused of crimes.
BACDL's mission is to assist, support, and strengthen criminal defense practitioners in the zealous defense of their clients and their constitutional rights. The association also works to educate the public about the administration of criminal justice and the importance of maintaining an independent, ethical, and professional criminal defense bar.
BACDL works alongside the statewide Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL), providing Broward County attorneys with resources and programming focused particularly on the local criminal justice system.
BACDL has served Broward County's criminal defense community for decades. Although the organization's current website does not provide a specific founding date, its official list of past presidents traces BACDL leadership to at least the early 1970s. Judge Leonard Fleet is listed as president from 1970 through 1973, followed by Robert T. Adams in 1974–1975, Alcee Hastings in 1976–1977, Ray Sandstrom in 1977–1978, and Charlie Rich in 1978–1979.
Over the following decades, BACDL developed into an established voice for the Broward County criminal defense bar. Its past leadership includes private criminal defense attorneys as well as lawyers who later served on the state and federal bench. The association has expanded its activities to include continuing legal education, mentoring, professional networking, advocacy regarding court procedures and criminal justice policies, and communication between defense attorneys and local justice-system officials.
BACDL has also developed longstanding traditions recognizing members of the criminal defense community. In 1992, then-past president Larry Davis began the organization's Harry Gulkin Award, which honors members of the Florida Bar for professional excellence, integrity, mentorship, and service to the legal profession.
According to BACDL's About page, the organization pursues several objectives designed to support the criminal defense bar and protect the rights of people accused of crimes. These include:
Promoting zealous advocacy, due process, and justice for people accused of criminal offenses.
Maintaining high standards of integrity, honor, and ethics in criminal law practice.
Building relationships with national, state, and local criminal justice organizations.
Supporting the professional advancement of BACDL members.
Encouraging qualified attorneys to enter the practice of criminal defense.
Promoting fellowship and cooperation among members of the criminal defense community.
Sponsoring continuing legal education programs for criminal defense attorneys.
BACDL also serves as a collective voice for criminal defense lawyers on issues affecting Broward County's courts and criminal justice system.
For example, in 2024 BACDL submitted comments to the Florida Supreme Court concerning proposed changes to Florida's speedy-trial rule. The association stated that it represented more than 250 government and private criminal defense attorneys practicing in Broward County and raised concerns about how the proposed rules could affect defendants and the operation of Florida's criminal courts.
BACDL provides members with educational resources, professional support, and opportunities to communicate with other criminal defense practitioners. Member benefits and activities include:
Continuing Legal Education – BACDL sponsors educational programs addressing criminal law, trial practice, ethics, forensic issues, and developments affecting criminal defense attorneys.
Professional Networking – Members can connect with private attorneys, public defenders, and other criminal defense professionals practicing throughout Broward County.
Mentoring – The organization encourages experienced criminal defense attorneys to share practical knowledge and guidance with other members of the defense bar.
Professional Resources – BACDL provides resources for attorneys practicing criminal law, including access to educational information and materials through its members-only portal.
Brief and Motion Resources – The association's stated member services include access to brief banks and other materials that can assist attorneys in researching and litigating criminal cases.
Information Sharing – BACDL gives local attorneys a forum for discussing developments in Broward County courts, changes in criminal procedure, and practical issues affecting defense attorneys and their clients.
Advocacy – BACDL communicates with judges, prosecutors, public defenders, clerks, law-enforcement agencies, and other justice-system officials regarding problems affecting criminal defense practice.
BACDL meeting records illustrate this local advocacy role. The organization has discussed issues involving probable-cause affidavits, jail communications, plea procedures, discovery, pretrial diversion, speedy-trial rules, sealed warrants, clerk records, and communication between private defense attorneys and the Broward County Public Defender's Office.
One of BACDL's longstanding traditions is the Harry Gulkin Award. The award is presented to a member of the Florida Bar who demonstrates exceptional integrity, professionalism, mentorship, and skill as an attorney.
The tradition began in 1992 under former BACDL President Larry Davis. Since then, recipients have included prominent criminal defense attorneys, judges, and other members of South Florida's legal community.
Recent recipients include:
2025 – Michael Gottlieb
2024 – Daniel Aaronson
2023 – Nikolas Cruz Defense Team
2022 – Barry Butin
2021 – Brian Reidy
2018 – David Smith
2017 – Johnny McCray
2016 – Dorothy M. Ferarro
2015 – George J. Reres
2014 – Bruce Lyons
2013 – Hilliard Moldof
2012 – Hon. Christopher Pole
Earlier recipients have included former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerald Kogan, longtime Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein, Bruce Rogow, and other prominent members of Florida's legal community.
BACDL gives criminal defense attorneys practicing in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Broward County a local organization focused specifically on issues encountered in criminal practice. Its educational programs, professional resources, mentoring, networking, and advocacy allow attorneys to exchange information and address problems affecting defendants and the attorneys representing them.
The association also maintains relationships with other organizations involved in Florida criminal justice. Attorneys seeking additional statewide resources can participate in the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, which provides continuing legal education, legislative advocacy, publications, and professional support to criminal defense practitioners across Florida.
