Are you John Douglas Whitaker? Claim this page now or Cliam yourself lawyer page
John D. Whitaker is a native of Gainesville and graduated from the University of Florida College of Law in 1999. He is the past president of the local chapter of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the past president of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association which includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union counties. John was first hired by then State Attorney Rod Smith and worked for him as a prosecutor specializing in DUI and traffic enforcement. During his time as a prosecutor, he handled thousands of cases and attended numerous seminars on the inner workings of law enforcement, DUI, investigations and prosecution.
Since moving to private practice, he has handled hundreds of criminal cases, from theft by a juvenile to attempted murder with a firearm. He continues to attend seminars focusing on criminal defense.
John’s experience on both sides of the criminal justice system has enabled him to analyze every case as both an experienced prosecutor and defense attorney. This gives him the advantage of anticipating the prosecution’s strategy and accurately analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of their case.
He has actual trial experience in DUI, possession of cannabis, battery, domestic battery, open container, theft, resisting an officer without violence, sale and possession of controlled substances, resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, escape, grand theft auto, burglary with battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, armed robbery and attempted murder with firearm.
| John Douglas Whitaker: | Member at The Avera & Smith |
 |
2814 SW 13th Street Gainesville, FL 32608 |
| Website: | https://www.avera.com/attorneys/john-whitaker/ |
| Phone: | 352-375-6229 |
| Fax: | 352-375-6652 |
| Offices: |
Avera & Smith
|
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2004 - 1900 |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 2004 - 1900 |
| National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | N/A |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | N/A |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Eighth Judicial Circuit chapter) | President | 2005 - 2006 |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Eighth Judicial Circuit chapter) | Past President | N/A |
| Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Eighth Judicial Circuit chapter) | Past President | 2006 - 1900 |
| Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Bench/Bar Committee | Member | N/A |
| Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association | President | 2007 - 2008 |
| Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Bench/Bar Committee | Member | 2007 - 1900 |
| Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association | Past President | 2008 - 1900 |
| Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association | Past President | N/A |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Achievement for Zealous Representation of Parents | H. Stephen Pennypacker Dependency General Master | 2004 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio University | BS - Bachelor of Science Cum Laude | 1996 |
| Ohio University | BS - Bachelor of Science Cum Laude | 1996 |
| University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law | Law | 1999 |
| State | Number | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL | 196363 | 2000 | 09/15/2021 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| FORUM8 | PRESIDENT'S LETTER | 2008 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Law & Justice Conference | Policing the Police | 2015 |
| Florida Family Law Class | Florida Dependency System | 2010 |
| Practicing with Profesionalism | Getting involved in your local bar association | 2007 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant State Attorney | State Attorney's Office 8th Judicial Circuit | 1999 - 2002 |
| Assistant State Attorney | State Attorney's Office 8th Judicial Circuit | 1999 - 2002 |
| Partner | Kinsell, Zadel & Whitaker | 2005 - 1900 |
| Partner | Kinsell, Zadel & Whitaker | N/A |
