About Joel
Before joining the firm in 2013, Joel H. Brown was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 2009. Joel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and had been practicing personal injury law as a civil trial lawyer prior to his appointment by former Governor Bob Martinez to the County Court in 1990. Following his appointment, Joel served as Associate Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Traffic Division, and then served as Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Division.In 1994, he was appointed by former Governor Lawton Chiles to the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, and in that capacity, he served in several different divisions, including Administrative Judge of the Family Division (2001–2009). He later served as the Chair of the Chief Judges Judicial Administration Committee (2011–2012).Joel is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. Board certification recognizes lawyers’ special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism, and ethics in practice.As a native Floridian, Joel was born, raised, and spent his formative years in Miami Beach, Florida. He majored in accounting and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He continued his education and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida Levin School of Law. Joel served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for six years, from 1969-1975.
Before joining the firm in 2013, Joel H. Brown was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida in 2009. Joel was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1971 and had been practicing personal injury law as a civil trial lawyer prior to his appointment by former Governor Bob Martinez to the County Court in 1990. Following his appointment, Joel served as Associate Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Traffic Division, and then served as Administrative Judge of the County Court, Criminal Division.
In 1994, he was appointed by former Governor Lawton Chiles to the Circuit Court of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, and in that capacity, he served in several different divisions, including Administrative Judge of the Family Division (2001–2009). He later served as the Chair of the Chief Judges Judicial Administration Committee (2011–2012).
Joel is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator. Board certification recognizes lawyers’ special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in various areas of law and professionalism, and ethics in practice.
As a native Floridian, Joel was born, raised, and spent his formative years in Miami Beach, Florida. He majored in accounting and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He continued his education and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Florida Levin School of Law. Joel served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves for six years, from 1969-1975.
Practice Areas
Education
Professional Affiliations
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized: Family Law
- Recognized: Mediation
- Recognized: Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
- Recognized: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
- Practice Area: Arbitration
- Practice Area: Family Law Mediation
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (2015)
- Florida Super Lawyers (2015 – 2024)
- Best Lawyers in America (2015 – 2024)
- AVVO rating of 10 – Superb!
- The First Family American Inns of Court - Judicial Leadership Award (2008)
- Sabadell United Bank - Sabadell's Community Service Award (2011)
- Spanish American League Against Discrimination - Diversity in the Judiciary Award (2011)
- Cuban American Bar Association - Paver Award (2012 – Present)
- The Florida Jewish Legal Society - The Rodef Sholom Award (Pursuer of Peace) (2012)
- Miami Beach High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame - Inductee (2012)
- South Florida Shomrim Society - Person of the Year Award (2012)
- Dade County Bar Association - Award of Excellence (2013)
- Martindale Hubbell Directory – AV rating
- Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer (1989)
- Who's Who in American Law, 3rd Edition
- Best Lawyers - Family Law (2015 – 2020)
- Best Lawyers - Personal Injury Litigation — Plaintiffs (2015 – 2020)
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognition- Personal Injury: Celebrating 5 Consecutive Years (2020)
- Best Lawyers in America - Family Law & Personal Injury Litigation (2021)