Christopher Emmanuel Benjamin

Mr. Benjamin emphasizes delivery of outstanding legal services in a variety of legal areas such as civil and commercial litigation, family litigation, criminal litigation, bankruptcy, probate administration, employment/labor, and personal injury just to name a few. After nineteen years of litigation practice, Mr. Benjamin has chosen to expand his practice in the areas of Business and Corporate transactions, his practice will focus on providing exceptional representation to startups (with an emphasis toward tech companies) and non-profits corporations.  He clients already include lenders, developers, investors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, publishers, corporations (including non-profits and religious groups), individuals, and small business owners. Mr. Benjamin recently left the Traffic Court Bench when elected to the Florida House of Representatives and now leverages almost a decade of experience on the Bench to represent individuals in defense of traffic offenses and resolve suspended license issues. Mr. Benjamin is also a licensed real estate broker who has spent nearly twenty (20) years helping sellers and buyers with real estate transactions and he teaches the qualification course for title insurance agents and offers his services in all manner of real estate transactions (including closing services).

Mr. Benjamin has been certified as Florida Certified Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator with the prestigious dispute resolution firm of Salmon & Dulberg. Benjamin offers mediation and arbitration services in all manner of disputes.

St. Thomas University School of Law

J.D. | Law

1998 - 2001

Honors: Who's Who Among American Law Students Moot Court

Activities: Student Bar Association Black Law Student Association (Southern Regional Treasurer)

Florida Memorial University

B.A. | Political Science

1994 - 1998

Honors: All American Collegate Scholar Herman Dreer Leadership Scholar Dean's List Cum Laude

Activities: Senior Class President Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Kappa Gamma Chapter (President) Attorney General Student Government Association Pre-Law Society (President) NAACP College Branch (President)

Of Counsel

International Law Partners, LLP

2021 - Current

Mr. Benjamin emphasizes delivery of outstanding legal services in a variety of legal areas such as civil and commercial litigation, family litigation, criminal litigation, bankruptcy, probate administration, employment/labor, and personal injury just to name a few. After nineteen years of litigation practice, Mr. Benjamin has chosen to expand his practice in the areas of Business and Corporate transactions, his practice will focus on providing exceptional representation to startups (with an emphasis toward tech companies) and non-profits corporations. He clients already include lenders, developers, investors, entrepreneurs, entertainers, publishers, corporations (including non-profits and religious groups), individuals, and small business owners. Mr. Benjamin recently left the Traffic Court Bench when elected to the Florida House of Representatives and now leverages almost a decade of experience on the Bench to represent individuals in defense of traffic offenses and resolve suspended

Special Magistrate

City of Opa Locka

2012 - Current

The Special Magistrate is an attorney and member of the Florida Bar who is appointed by the City Council to preside over code enforcement matters. The Special Magistrate has the jurisdiction and authority to hear and decide alleged violations and exercise the powers of a Code Enforcement Board as provided in chapter 162, Florida Statutes.

Mediator and Arbitrator

Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution

2010 - Current

Managing Shareholder

The Barrister Firm, P.A.

2002 - 2021

Special Magistrate

City of North Miami

2014 - 2020

Traffic Magistrate

Dade County Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court (Traffic Court)

2011 - 2020

The Truth About Florida's Stand Your Ground Law

In Focus Magazine

March 10, 2013

Building Communities, Miami

May 10, 2014

The Wells Foundation

Know Your Rights, Law Enforcement and Community Post Ferguson, Ft. Lauderdale

February 20, 2015

Urban League of Broward County

Mediation

Florida Supreme Court

Top 100

National Black Lawyers

2015

Top One Percent

National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2015

Legal Elite

Florida Trend

2015

Who's Who in American Law

Marquis Who's Who

2014

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2014

Broward County Bar Association

Member

2011 - Current

Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of National Bar Association

Member

2011 - Current

National Association of Hearing Officers

Member

2011 - Current

Florida Academy of Mediator Professionals

Member

2010 - Current

Miami Gardens Nuiance Abatement Bond

Co-Chairman

2010 - Current

Florida

Since 2002

11th Circuit

Since 2002

Federal Circuit

Since 2002

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2008

• Free Consultation
  for most legal areas
• Credit Cards Accepted
  Master Card, Visa, American Express
• Contingent Fees
  contingent fees for personal injury, medical malpractice, and some civil cases
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  $400 per hour (sliding scale rate and flat fees available - based on income)

Q. Is there a way to waiver the law of having both parents consent to changing a minor's legal last name?

June 14, 2021

A: Consent of both parents is required to change the name of a minor child; if there is a dispute it must be decided by the Court.