Former United States Attorney, former Law Clerk to Florida Supreme Court Justice and Judge on U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and experienced litigator in private practice with extensive trial and appellate experience in complex and high profile litigation. As private counsel, represented President George W. Bush, Governor Charlie Crist and Governor Jeb Bush. Tried over 80 cases to judgment or verdict. Litigation partner in large statewide Florida law firm and founding partner in multi branch litigation practice. Prepared and filed over 100 appellate briefs in the 5th and 11th Circuits, Florida Supreme Court and state appellate courts on a wide range of civil and criminal issues. Presented oral argument as appellate counsel on more than 55 occasions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sukhia & Williams Law Group, PLLC- (2014 to present). Business litigation and Internal Corporate Investigations with expertise in all actions involving the state and its agencies.
Sukhia Law Group, PLC- (January 2008-present). Trial and appellate lawyers. Mr. Sukhia has defended numerous high profile clients, including Governors Crist and Bush, the Florida Senate, Ralph Nader, and President George W. Bush in the 2000 election battle in the military ballot case before U.S. District Judge Lacey Collier in Pensacola and the overseas ballot case before U.S. District Judge Maurice Paul in Tallahassee.
Conwell Sukhia & Kirkpatrick, P.A. Tallahassee, Florida FOUNDING PARTNER- (January 2006-January 2008). Litigation firm comprised of former Fowler White partners. Offices in Tampa and Tallahassee. High profile and complex litigation, specializing in intellectual property and technology law. Firm handled a corporate fraud and conversion action in a two week trial in Orlando in April 2006 and represented the Florida Senate in defending the constitutionality of 2006 Lobbyist Disclosure Act.
Fowler White Boggs Banker, P.A., Tallahassee, Florida, SENIOR PARTNER- (1993-2006). Built successful litigation department in Tallahassee office of fourth largest firm in Florida. Served as trial counsel in various cases, including sole counsel for George W. Bush at trial and on appeal in overseas ballot case of Robert Harris, et al. v. George W. Bush, et al. Case No. 00-16423 (11th Cir. Dec. 11, 2000) and trial counsel in military ballot case of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney v. Election Canvassing Boards of Florida, Case No. 3:00-cv-533 (N.D. Fla. Dec. 8, 2000). Campaign counsel to Jeb Bush and Criminal Justice Policy Coordinator in 1994 and 1998 Jeb Bush gubernatorial campaigns. At request of Governor Bush, represented State of Florida and private entities in defending constitutionality of various statutes.
United States Department of Justice UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA (1990-1993). Appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve as U. S. Attorney in North Florida. Responsible for 80 employees and four offices in 24-county district. During Mr. Sukhia’s tenure, the Northern District ranked at or near the top in cases tried, hours in court and assets forfeited per attorney. Mr. Sukhia personally tried various cases as U. S. Attorney, including one of the first trials in the nation under the federal carjacking statute.
United States Department of Justice ASSISTANT UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, SUPERVISORY ATTORNEY, APPELLATE CHIEF, Northern District of Florida (1980-1990). Mr. Sukhia handled scores of trials and appeals in complex criminal and civil matters, including CCE and RICO conspiracies, mail fraud, tax evasion, murder conspiracies, obscenity, money laundering, threats against the President, CTR violations, procurement fraud, drug smuggling, medical malpractice, wrongful death, discrimination, environmental actions and commercial litigation.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits LAW CLERK TO U. S. CIRCUIT JUDGE JOSEPH W. HATCHETT, New Orleans and Atlanta (1979-980). Mr. Sukhia served as the first law clerk to Judge Hatchett at both the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. He supervised the activities of two junior clerks and prepared draft opinions on a wide variety of civil and criminal issues.
Florida Supreme Court LAW CLERK TO FLORIDA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOSEPH W. HATCHETT, Tallahassee, Florida (1978-1979). Mr. Sukhia participated in drafting numerous opinions on issues of statewide import.
EDUCATION
Holland Law Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, Juris Doctor- June, 1978; 3.5 G.P.A. High Honors; Graduated in Top 5% of class.
Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Bachelor of Arts - June 1975;
3.6 G.P.A. Distinction in all Subjects.
3.6 G.P.A. Distinction in all Subjects.
Florida Technological University, Orlando, Florida, 1971-1973;
3.81 G.P.A.
3.81 G.P.A.
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
Employment
Named in Best Lawyers. (2012-present).
US News and World Reports Best Law Firms. (2013-present).
Selected to Super Lawyers of Florida - top five percent. (2006-present).
“AV” Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (1993-present).
Appointed United States Attorney by President George H. W. Bush. (1990).
Appointed Interim U. S. Attorney by Attorney General Richard Thornburgh. (1990).
Received Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award. (1987).
Received Personal Commendation from United States Attorney General. (1986).
Candidate for Congress in North Florida’s Second District in (2016)
Endorsed for Congress by Senator Jeff Sessions, National Right to Life (2016).
Received Congressional Candidate’s Highest AQ Rating from NRA. (2016).
Named in Best Lawyers. (2012-present).
US News and World Reports Best Law Firms. (2013-present).
Selected to Super Lawyers of Florida - top five percent. (2006-present).
“AV” Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (1993-present).
Appointed United States Attorney by President George H. W. Bush. (1990).
Appointed Interim U. S. Attorney by Attorney General Richard Thornburgh. (1990).
Received Attorney General’s Special Achievement Award. (1987).
Received Personal Commendation from United States Attorney General. (1986).
Candidate for Congress in North Florida’s Second District in (2016)
Endorsed for Congress by Senator Jeff Sessions, National Right to Life (2016).
Received Congressional Candidate’s Highest AQ Rating from NRA. (2016).
Law School
Deans List all quarters.
Top 5% of class.
Order of the Coif.
American Jurisprudence Award in Federal Practice and Procedure.
American Jurisprudence Award in International Law.
Undergraduate and Secondary
Cornell University Dean’s Academic Scholarship Award.
FTU Dean’s Academic Achievement Award.
Lyman High School Outstanding Student Award.
Sophomore, Junior & Senior Class President, Lyman High School.
Top 5% of class.
Order of the Coif.
American Jurisprudence Award in Federal Practice and Procedure.
American Jurisprudence Award in International Law.
Undergraduate and Secondary
Cornell University Dean’s Academic Scholarship Award.
FTU Dean’s Academic Achievement Award.
Lyman High School Outstanding Student Award.
Sophomore, Junior & Senior Class President, Lyman High School.
Committees and Association Memberships
The Federalist Society - Member and Speaker.
Chairman Florida Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Task Force (1990-1993).
Member Second Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission (2008-present).
Member Senator Martinez’ Federal Judicial Nominating Commission (2007-2009).
Member nine-person Disciplinary Panel-U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit (2004-present).
Northern District Advisor - U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit (1996-2002).
Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (2002-present).
Northern District Federal Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Group (1991-1993).
Federal Bar Association (1988-present).
Founding President, Tallahassee Chapter, Federal Bar Association (1990).
Rotary Club Downtown Tallahassee (1990-present).
Attorney General’s Narcotics and Controlled Substance Subcommittee (1990-1993).
Department of Justice Task Force on Crimes Against Children (1990-1993).
American Prosecutors Research Institute Federal Working Group (1992).
Chairman Florida Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Task Force (1990-1993).
Member Second Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission (2008-present).
Member Senator Martinez’ Federal Judicial Nominating Commission (2007-2009).
Member nine-person Disciplinary Panel-U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit (2004-present).
Northern District Advisor - U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit (1996-2002).
Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (2002-present).
Northern District Federal Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Group (1991-1993).
Federal Bar Association (1988-present).
Founding President, Tallahassee Chapter, Federal Bar Association (1990).
Rotary Club Downtown Tallahassee (1990-present).
Attorney General’s Narcotics and Controlled Substance Subcommittee (1990-1993).
Department of Justice Task Force on Crimes Against Children (1990-1993).
American Prosecutors Research Institute Federal Working Group (1992).
Admitted to Practice in Florida in December 1978.
Licensed to Practice in:
All Florida state and federal trial and appellate courts.
All Florida state and federal trial and appellate courts.
United States Supreme Court.
U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
